Durga Puja is the biggest festival of West Bengal and is celebrated across the state. The festival symbolizes the homecoming of Goddess Durga for five days to her maternal home from Mount Kailash. It is a celebration of good over evil as the goddess vanquishes the demon Mahishasura. The UNESCO has accorded the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ status to Kolkata's Durga Puja festival on December 15, 2020. It is a 10-day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. After Bijoya Dasami, a carnival of immersion of idols is held.
In West Bengal, the preparations for the Durga Puja begin months in advance, with construction of elaborate and unique pandals and creation of beautiful idols of the Goddess Durga. These pandals are known for their elaborate decorations, innovative themes and stunning lighting arrangements. The theme of the pandals can vary widely from mythological and religious to social and environmental issues. These pandals provide testimony to the artistic expression and creativity that showcases best of the Bengali culture and tradition. The state has cultural programs, feasts, and social gatherings through out the Durga Puja. On the last day of the festival (after Bijoy Dasami), the idols are taken out for the procession and immersed in a water bodies symbolizing the return of the Goddess Durga to her abode in Himalayas. The carnival of immersion of idols is a spectacular event for the visitors. Millions of the visitors travel every year to West Bengal to witness this religious festival which is also a cultural extravaganza that showcases the rich heritage and traditions of West Bengal.