Durga Puja is an important socio-cultural annual religious festival observed by Hindus from ancient times by worshipping goddess Durga and celebrating her victory over the mythological demon named Mahishasura. Hindu scriptures depict goddess Durga as a warrior goddess carrying different weapons in her ten arms and riding on a lion. Her appearance is also interpreted as an embodiment of feminine power in Indian culture and society. Durga Puja is observed widely across India. The date and duration of Durga Puja celebration is decided according to the Hindu astrological calendar. Bengali Hindus celebrate this festival as Sharodotsav (autumn festival) or Sharadiya Durga Puja. It is their biggest religious festival which, they celebrate with great excitement and fanfare. Preparation for Durga Puja festival kicks off a full month prior to its stipulated celebration date. As the festive season starts, houses, markets, towns and even cities are decorated extravagantly to celebrate the mega festival in an extraordinary way. Theme-based puja pandals with floral decorations are installed by following rituals and customs to welcome goddess Durga and also to mark the celebration with uniqueness. This year, at many places Anna Hazare's glory has become the theme for Durga Puja pandal decoration. A bonanza of culture and modern entertainment can also be seen in this festival. The anjali or floral offerings to the goddess starts in the morning and aarti or the evening puja starts after dusk. Devotees throng to the pandals to offer prayers and get blessings of the deity.

Fancyand magnificent clay idols of goddess which are crafted and painted withcolours are the major attraction of the festival. As a part of the event and toadd colour to the festival, Durga Puja committees organise various competitionsand fun filled activities with exciting prizes. Mouthwatering cuisines, sweetsand dishes are an integral part of this celebration. Anticipating the heavyrush of passengers during Durga Puja festival, special special trains and othermodes of communications are scheduled by the government authorities. Sendingand exchanging gifts is a long followed trend to celebrate Durga Puja. However,these days, people share and send devotional and inspirational Durga Puja SMS totheir dear ones that are beautifully written to carry the content of your heartand greetings in the best possible way. Numerous online portals providecustomized Durga Puja SMS service absolutely free with provisions to edit andinsert images or text giving it a personal touch. After ten days, the megafestival of Durga Puja comes to an end with the immersion of the idol into ariver or a water body. Ardent devotees take out processions of the idols forimmersion amid loud religious chants.