Navaratri is celebrated as the Durga Puja festival in West Bengal. It is the most important annual festival to Bengali Hindus and a major social and public event in eastern and northeastern states of India, where it dominates the religious life.

On the mouth of the kalash, place a bunch of mango leaves and place a lid on the pot. Add some rice on the lid and place a coconut wrapped with red cloth on the lid. Light the lamp and incense sticks. Offer some flowers to Ma Durga and decorate the picture or idol with vermilion, chandan and turmeric paste.

Durga Puja celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. It begins on the same day as Navratri, a nine-night festival in many northern and western states that more broadly celebrates the divine feminine (shakti). Durga Puja's first day is Mahalaya, which heralds the advent of the goddess.

Durga puja is a widely celebrated festival in the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Odisha. It is celebrated over a five-day period. Streets are decked up with festive lights, loudspeakers play festive songs as well as recitation of hymns and chants by priests, and pandals are erected by communities.

Do not eat onion, garlic, meat, eggs and other Tamasic (heat-generating) foods. Do not consume alcohol/tobacco. Do not cut your hair, nails during this period. Men must not shave or trim their beard during Navratri.

Durga Asthami or the eight-day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. She is a four-armed deity who rides on a bull or a white elephant. She carries a Trishul and a damru in her hands. What to offer: Goddess Mahagauri is offered coconut by devotees.

Nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped in the nine days of this Hindu festival. In order to please Maa Durga, we worship her and offer her favourite dishes. Flowers are very important in the worship of the Goddess. According to beliefs, Maa Durga loves red hibiscus flowers.