According to Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates Goddess Durga’s return to her birth abode with her offspring. Durga Puja is preceded by Mahalaya, which commemorates the start of Durga’s trip to her house. The main puja begins on “Maha Sashthi,” or the sixth day, when worshippers greet the Goddess with grandeur and fervour. On this day, Durga’s deity is exposed in front of the people. Several rites are conducted, and the “dhakis” keep the atmosphere and spirit of the puja alive by playing the “dhak”—a type of drum linked with the puja and Bengali culture.

Durga Puja is extremely important to the Bengali community. However, it is also widely celebrated in other states like as Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Bihar, and Jharkhand. People start making plans to greet the goddess on Mahalaya, which was celebrated on October 14. The festival concludes with Vijaya Dashami, also known as Dussehra, which marks the completion of Durga Puja and the nine-day long Navratri celebrations. Vijay Dashami commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon ruler Mahishasura. Dussehra or Dasara, on the other hand, commemorates Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana.

Hindus believe that Mahishasura, the demon king, was granted a blessing that prevented any god or person from ever killing him. Mahishasura assaulted the Devtas after receiving the blessing, and when they were defeated in battle, they were forced to flee the Devlok. Adi Shakti was worshipped by all the Devtas, including Lord Vishnu, to protect them from Mahishasura’s anger. It is thought that at this moment, a celestial light assumed the form of Goddess Durga and emerged from the bodies of all the Devtas.

Maa Durga killed Mahishasura on the tenth day of their nine-day battle, which lasted between them. Maa Durga is revered as the goddess of power, and Durga Puja is enthusiastically observed across the nation. During these ten days, devotees pray to the goddess since it is said that she comes to Earth to benefit her people.