The best time of the year is here! The beautiful autumn sky, the beats of dhak, the fresh fragrance of shiuli (jasmine), the colourful pandals and beautifully attired men and women are the imageries that one associates with Durga puja in Bengal. Durga Puja (Durga pujo) is a festival celebrated during the month of Ashwin in West Bengal and other parts of the country. In north India, this festival takes the name of Navratri and Dussehra.

The triumph of goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura is celebrated during Durga Puja. Durga puja celebrates the epitome of feminine strength with pomp and shows all over Bengal and in certain parts of East India. She symbolises power, affection, determination, wisdom, the ability to punish and finally, eternal beauty. The idol of goddess Durga is dressed in bright sarees and traditional Bengali jewellery.

Somehow the strong persona of Bengali women depicted in literature and movies over the years is probably built on the very foundation of this strength. Hence, Bengali women celebrate their inner strength and grace and adorn themselves in exquisite sarees along with traditional and ethnic jewellery pieces during these few days.