Suchandra
There is a metaphor which is used for Bengalis very often. That is “12 mase 13 parbon”. It means Bengalis celebrate 13 festivals in 12 months. If you observe the Bengalis’ lifestyle, then you will find festivals of the Bengalis are like seasons. Durga Puja is the biggest festival for the Bengalis.
Durga Puja goes one for 5 days. The second day is called Maha Saptami. On that day people invocate Maa Durga to come to them and to bless them. They do Arati( waving lights before the Goddess) by many lamps before the idol of Maa Durga. Devipakhsha starts on the day of Mahalaya, and it continues 15 days. Pranpratistha(vitality), Chakkhudaan(creating eyes of the idols), Ahvan(invocation) these all are the rituals of Maha Saptami.
Durga Puja becomes the identification of the Bengalis. Maa Durga lives in the heart of the Bengalis.
