topics: |  india | bengal | mythology | durga

The book is an introduction to Durga Puja, the grandest festival in eastern
India, celebration that provides a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of
Bengal. It is also a ready reckoner of all aspects of the Puja--its mythical
origins, its socio-cultural evolution, its economic ramifications and its
elaborate rituals. Spiced up with anecdotes and trivia collected from
journals and newspapers from the nineteenth century to the present day, this
book is a compendium of knowledge associated with the worship of the Mother
Goddess, one of the oldest surviving Hindu traditions.