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Durga the Goddess seated on a tiger symbolizes Shakti. According to legends, when all the Gods and Goddesses were terrified of the atrocities of a demon called Mahishasura, it was Durga who killed him, and marked the victory of good over evil. It is also believed that Lord Rama wanted to receive the blessings of Durga before his war with Ravana. He worshipped Durga despite the time of the year not being the right time for the worship of Durga. This is the reason why the Durga Puja celebrated in autumn in West Bengal is known as Akalbodhan, which literally means untimely invocation.
For Ramas invocation, he needed 100 Neel Kamals (blue lotuses) for the worship of the Goddess. Rama could gather only 99 of them, so he offered one of his eyes as a substitute of the 100th lotus. Pleased with his devotion Durga blessed him. The battle started on Saptami and Ravana was killed at the Sandhikshan a period of time between Ashtami and Navami. Ravana was cremated on Dashami. Thus, Durga Puja in West Bengal is the worship of Shakti and the celebration of good over evil.
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