Festivals of West Bengal

In West Bengal, the year is divided into two halves, before pujas, and after pujas. It is one of the most important festivals in the state. The festival sees the coming of Goddess Durga to her home for five days. The celebrations are unparalleled, which goes on for days and nights without any breaks.

Another major religious festival is Saraswati Puja. The Goddess of Knowledge certainly plays a major role in the state. Schools and colleges host pujas around the state, and young people go out in large groups visiting pandals or just going from one friend's place to another. Interestingly, this day is also known as Bengal's Valentine's Day!

The Bengali New Year is called Poila Boishak here in West Bengal. The festival mostly falls in mid-April, and is a time of great joy. Special sweets are made during this day, and people wear new attires during the first day of the year. The festival also sees many cultural functions, and programmes being held across the state.

While most of India sees Diwali being celebrated with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, West Bengal worships Goddess Kali on this day. Kali is one of the main female devotees worshipped in the state, with a temple in almost every lane in the city. The prayers usually start around midnight, and goes on until dawn.

Bengal's harvest festival is another great event that is full of sweet treats. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this auspicious day, while sweet treats made of rice are prepared at homes. Rice grains are revered here in the state, and this festival is all about that. Praying for abundance, eating lots of sweet treats, and having a good time with family are the mainstays of the festival.