Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 20 (ANI): As the city celebrates Durga Puja with pomp and show, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited several pandals in Kolkata on Friday.

The Union Minister visited a total of 5 Durga Puja pandals, which include Tala Barawari Pandal, Wellington Nagarik Kalyan Samity Pandal, Santosh Mitra Square Pandal, Krishna Cinema Hall Durga Puja Pandal and 45 Ward Durga Puja Pandal.

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The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur.

This festival is primarily celebrated in West Bengal, Kolkata, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tripura, and Assam.

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Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art, and culture.

From the reverberation of 'dhaak' and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days. In other parts of the country, during the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga's nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings. There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navratri.

During these nine days, people observe ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes. In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives. (ANI)

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