The pujas that surround Durga Puja, from September to November.
Clay diyas lit for Diwali. Photo: Alokjain19883105, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Workers garland their tools and machines for the divine craftsman, and Kolkata's skies fill with kites. Durga Puja is near.
An idol of Vishwakarma, the divine architect, at a Vishwakarma Puja. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
The biggest festival of all: five days of worship, art, food and family.
Durga at a Kolkata pandal, 2025. Photo: Pramanikshreya, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Homes draw alpana and Lakshmi's footprints and offer khichuri and coconut naru. 'Who is awake?' she asks.
Offerings laid out for Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in a Bengali home. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Kali is worshipped through the night, the same night much of India celebrates Diwali.
A Kali Puja pandal in Kolkata. Photo: Tarunsamanta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Houses glow with diyas, and the sky with fireworks.
Clay diyas lit for Diwali. Photo: Alokjain19883105, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Sisters put a phonta on their brothers' foreheads, pray that death stay from their door, and feed them a feast.
A sister puts the phonta on her brother's forehead for Bhai Phonta. Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Chandannagar lights up for the goddess who holds the world, with light art and an immersion procession.
A lit pandal at Chandannagar during Jagaddhatri Puja. Photo: Sourabh.biswas003, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Durga's spring worship in Chaitra, by Puranic tradition the original season of her puja.
A Durga image for Basanti Puja, the spring worship of the goddess. Photo: Chandrapirh Chakraborty, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Bengal's festival season in order: Vishwakarma Puja, Durga Puja, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja with Diwali, Bhai Phonta, Jagaddhatri and Basanti Puja.
Bengal's festival season → Next story: Agomoni and Bijoya songs: Uma comes home, Uma leaves All photo storiesMusic: Tomay hriday majhe rakhbo chere debo na - Baul Song Performance - Tarun Khyapa and Ananda Khyapa with Group - Saturday Haat - Sonajhuri - Birbhum 2014-06-28 5315, Gangulybiswarup, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.