Bengal, a cultural hub in India, is renowned for its diverse and vibrant rituals that reflect the essence of its rich heritage. These famous Bengali rituals form an integral part of the region’s identity, blending tradition, spirituality, and community in captivating ways.

Celebrated in the month of Ashvin (September – October), Durga Puja (fondly referred to as Pujo) is one of the most awaited festivals in India, especially in West Bengal. It is a celebration of traditional culture and customs. While the rituals entail ten days of fast, feast and worship, the last four days—Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and _Dashami—_are celebrated with much gaiety and grandeur in India and abroad, especially in Bengal, where Goddess Durga is worshipped with great passion and devotion. Durga Puja for Bengalis is much more than a festival. It is an emotion and an occasion for reunion and rejuvenation.

Also known as The Vermillion Play,_Sindur Khela is a tradition which is followed every year on the last day of _Durga Puja (Dashami) _in front of the idol of Goddess Durga prior to her immersion in the holy waters. It is purely a Bengali ritual followed by married women and holds great significance. This ritual is enjoyed like an act of smearing Vermillion on each other’s faces and thus it is called “Sindur Khela”_.

What comes to your mind when you think of married life in India? It’s definitely not only about two individual people - it is about the union of two families. Whether it’s an arranged or love marriage, choosing the right partner for the rest of your life is not an easy job. And it becomes even more challenging when individuals come from different cultural backgrounds. To me, as a person who belongs to the northern part of India(Uttar Pradesh), marrying a Bengali man definitely felt like an adventure. But over time, I have gained an understanding and have experienced some adorable things about Bengali culture. And today I am going to share ten things I have experienced marrying a Bengali man.

In the Bengali community, every major milestone for kids is celebrated. Hate khori (usually performed during Sarawati Puja) is the ceremony which is performed to introduce education to young children. This is considered a major milestone for kids and is also known as the first writing ceremony.