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.

Let me tell you about a beautiful ritual ‘Sindur Khela’ a traditional ceremony for Bengali women.

Whenever October comes I could not stop myself saying this phrase “And the festive season is here again.