Durga Puja Festival Tour Booking

With the onset of Aswin month(End of September-October), West Bengal seems to book space in every media houses or tour organizations. The annual Durga Puja is about to sparkle lately from 24th to 28th September, 2009 and a few countable days are left to prepare for it. The festival offers unlimited fun one and all present in the state, therefore its wise enough to look for some traveling options before the time runs out of control.

Legend of Durga Puja

Dedicated to Goddess Durga, it is a four day event, scheduled according Hindu Festival Calendar. The festive mood begins soon after the commencement of Mahalaya, that falls seven days before the grand festival. Devotees, since time immemorial has been relating each and every day of Durga Puja with the mythological saga. Accordingly, Goddess Durga, (an incarnation of Mata Parvati) after succeeding over the demon King, Mahish Asur, visited her motherland. With seeking approval by her husband, Lord Shiva, she was accompanied by her two Son-Lord Ganesha & Lord Kartika; and her two daughter- Goddess Lakshmi & Goddess Saraswati.

Durga Puja Rituals

The first day of the festival is called as Bael Shashti and following this comes Maha Astami, Maha Saptami, Maha Navami and lastly Maha Dashami. Holy puja are performed each day and the system of participating in Anjali is observed devotees. The festival warp up with the ceremony of idol immersion, which symbolizes God and Goddess return to the holy Kailash Parvat.

Durga Puja Festival Attraction

The religious Durga Puja festival is greatly celebrated in West Bengal, situated in the central and eastern region of India. A tour during the festival time offers a clear picture of the cultural heritage, dominating over Bengali society. As many as 2000 puja pendals are set up in the nook and corner of the state. Temporary gates full of artificial bulbs are constructed, accompanied with the dazzling coffee-shop and refreshing centers. The gates and pendals represent the creative intellect of local craft persons. Also many Durga Puja Committee organizes stage shows featuring live music band, Rabindra Sangeet and dancing competitions, drama, exhibitions etc.

Apart from enjoying Durga Puja in metro city, Kolkata, one can touch the inner line of West Bengal heritage by visiting the festival venue in some heritage buildings at Barisha, Darjipara, Serampore, Naba Kailash Temple in Kalna and Sheoraphuli Rajbari. All the said places are famous for celebrating the festival for more then 400 years before.

Durga Puja festival cuisines is a must have one in West Bengal. A few sumptuous recipes include Puri, Moong Daal, Begun Bajha, Alur Dom, Payasm, Chutney, Khichidi, Dalna

How to reach West Bengal

By Air:
Kolkata International Airport and Bagdogra Domestic Airport near Siliguri in west Bengal operates air lines under public and private sectors. Indigo, JetLite, Kingfisher, Spicejet, Air India and Indian Airlines connect delhi-kolkata daily at fixed interval of time. There are many international flights which connects West Bengal with south-east Asian countries.

By Rail:
The major railway stations are at Howrah and Sealdah, situated near Kolkata and New Jalpaiguri near Siliguri. Regular trains from Delhi like Poorva Express, Howrah Kalka Mail and Howrah Rajdhani arrives in Howrah station, while Sealdah Rajdhani from New Delhi stations connects Sealdah junction. Other trains like Toofan Express and trains operating to and from Assam, also connects West Bengal from major domestic locations in India.

By Road:
Well-built road networks connecting National Highways and State Highways connects West Bengal with Bihar, Orissa, Jharkand and its neighboring areas.

Local Transport in West Bengal
The main town Kolkata provides travelers with best means of transport all across the state. Public buses offers services from 4 am till 11 pm. Apart from meter taxis auto-rickshaws, traveling by metro is an ultimate way to roam in and around West Bengal attractions. One can also opt for ferry service, which covers long distance across the river Hooghly, in short hours.

India Fairs and Festivals
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