Toast To Sunderban & An Irish Collaboration: Diverse Bengal Pandals Kick Off Durga Puja Fervour

Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over buffalo demon Mahishasura. It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashvin, with festivities in Bengal marked by a special fervour.

Durga Puja celebrates the victory of good over evil, with Goddess Durga defeating the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It is celebrated in the month of Ashvin, particularly by the Bengali community.

A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. Devotees of Goddess Durga eagerly await this festival, which is celebrated with extra fervour in West Bengal. (Photo: PTI)

Irish artists Richard Babington (L) and Lisa Sweeney add finishing touches to an idol of Goddess Danu at a community Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The Irish embassy collaborated with local organisers to set up a joint Durga Puja pandal this year. (Photo: PTI)

An artist prepares an 'environment-friendly' puja pandal using plants for Durga Puja, at Lalabagan Nabankur in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

An idol of Goddess Durga inspired by village women at a Sunderban-community-themed Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

A Durga Puja pandal showcasing the map of Sunderban. (Photo: PTI)

Artisans give final touches to an idol of Goddess Durga ahead of Durga Puja, at Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district. (Photo: PTI)