Durga Puja, one of the most revered festivals in India, especially in West Bengal and eastern states, is a grand tribute to the goddess Durga’s strength, grace, and maternal love. It marks her annual journey from Mount Kailash to her parental home on Earth, accompanied by her children—Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. Beginning with Mahalaya, the festival awakens spiritual fervor through chants and songs that invoke the goddess’s presence. This pious prelude sets the tone for the five-day celebration from Shashthi to Vijaya Dashami, which reflects both religious devotion and vibrant community spirit.

Shashthi, the sixth day of Navratri, signifies the formal commencement of Durga Puja. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga arrives on Earth, and rituals such as Bodhan (idol unveiling) mark her ceremonial welcome. The air fills with the rhythmic beat of the dhak, while devotees gather in elaborately decorated pandals to begin the worship. Shashthi represents not just the arrival of the goddess but also the awakening of collective joy and spiritual anticipation that defines the festival. It transitions seamlessly into the main worship days—Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami.

On Saptami, the festival gains momentum. This day witnesses the sacred Nabapatrika Snan, symbolizing the embodiment of Durga’s energy through nine sacred plants. Saptami also celebrates her spiritual awakening and the beginning of her battle against evil. Rituals center around the Kalabou, a banana plant dressed like a bride, believed to be a living embodiment of the goddess. Saptami glorifies the transformative power of good over evil and sets the stage for the most spiritually intense days to follow.

Ashtami and Navami are the spiritual and emotional peaks of the celebration. Ashtami honors Durga’s fierce form, Chamunda, who vanquishes demons like Chanda and Munda. Devotees offer Anjali (flower prayers) and witness the dramatic Sandhi Puja, held at the exact juncture between Ashtami and Navami—a moment of immense cosmic significance. Navami, the last day of worship, includes the Maha Aarti and Kanya Pujan, venerating the divine feminine in young girls. It symbolizes the ultimate triumph of divine power over darkness, signaling spiritual renewal and inner strength.

The festival concludes with Vijaya Dashami, a day of joy, farewell, and hopeful return. Married women participate in Sindoor Khela, smearing vermillion as a symbol of strength and sisterhood. Finally, the idols are immersed in rivers during Visarjan, marking Durga's return to her celestial abode. Though it ends in physical form, Durga Puja leaves behind a lasting sense of unity, devotion, and the unwavering power of the feminine spirit.