India, Sept. 27 -- Durga Puja celebrates the homecoming of Ma Durga to Earth, along with her children. Unlike Navratri, where devotees observe a day-long fast for the Goddess, Durga Puja celebration has a different meaning, which puts the elaborate feasting or the 'mahabhoj' (grand feast) in context.

In West Bengal, Ma Durga is viewed as not just a Goddess but also a daughter who is returning to her maternal home from Mount Kailash. So when a family member comes back home, a hearty feast is a must. Likewise, the same case applies here as well. Ma Durga's homecoming brings a lot of celebratory joy, and family, friends get together for pandal hopping and trying new foods. Since Shaktism is followed among devotees of Ma Durga and Ma Kali, n...