Durga Pooja is celebrated with much fanfare in West Bengal at the same time as Dushehra. Goddess Durga is worshipped as power or Shakti, the cosmic energy that animates all beings and occupies a special place in the Hindu pantheon of Gods. According to the Hindu mythology there was once a demon called Mahishasur who had become so powerful that he had defeated the gods and their king Indra. The gods approached the Holy Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to get rid of the demon who was destroying all goodness from earth. Goddess Durga was requested to save them. Durga killed the demon armed with lethal weapons and delivered the gods from the menace of the demon.
For this occasion artisans make special idols of Durga. Durga is depicted riding a ferocious lion with the wounded Mahishasur beneath her feet. There is fierce competition amongst various groups of revellers who vie with each other to have the best and the most elaborate pandals (pavilions).
As is the custom, the idols are submerged in a river or pond after 9 days of celebrations and worship.

Where: Most notably West Bengal but in general all over the country.