The Goddess Durga fought against the combined might of the evil forces – the Dark Side, if you may – for nine long days and on the tenth, emerged victorious. And, it is her victory that we celebrate each year – the victory of righteousness, the triumph of good.
On another level, the festival is also about the homecoming of Uma (another name of Durga) from her husband’s abode in the Mount Kailash. A five day visit in which she is accompanied by her children – the elephant headed Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), Kartik (the Lord of the army of the Devas), Lokkhi (the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) and Saraswati (the Goddess of knowledge and enlightenment).
In Bengal the celebration cuts across all barriers of caste, creed, religion and colour as we celebrate the eternal – Durga being the manifestation of Life itself.
May the Mother shower her choicest blessings on you, your family and friends. May all your dreams come true and may success be the crowning glory of everything that you do.
That is, till next year, when we renew our vows before Maa Durga and pray for the well being of each one of us, her children, again!
Like we say in Bengali – Asche Bochor Abar Hobe! (Till we do it again in the coming year)