Durga Puja
An electrician hangs decorative lights on an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a pandal, or a temporary platform, for the upcoming festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata, India, September 18, 2017. Reuters

The much-awaited Navaratri celebrations have already kick-started across the globe on September 19, but for the Bengalis it's the time to celebrate Durga Puja. The festival marks the home coming of Goddess Durga. Talking about Durga Puja, one can easily say that for the Bengalis it's not just an auspicious festival, but an emotion.

This year, Durga Puja will start from September 25 to September 30. The important days of the festival are Maha Panchami, Maha Sasthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. The annual Durga Puja festival that coincides with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) will be celebrated on September 30, this year.

Kolkata, the capital of the state of West Bengal, India is known as the land of grand Durga Pujo. Every year, the residents welcome 'Maa Durga' by making decorative theme pandals and celebrate the festival with grandeur.

But to make this year even more special, nearly 400 art students created a unique alpona (rangoli) on the streets of Kolkata. The over one kilometer street art was spotted at the Lake Road in South Kolkata. According to reports, the youngsters started the work at around 8 am on Monday and completed it by 4 am the next day using enamel paint.

During Durga Puja, Bengalis clean their homes and decorate those with colourful lights. They offer prayers to the God and celebrate the festival with their friends and families. IBTimes Singapore brings you a series of images that shows the celebration of Durga Puja in India.

Durga Puja
An artisan places an artificial arrow on an idol of Hindu goddess Durga at a pandal, a temporary platform, during preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
An artisan applies finishing touches on an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga, before it is transported to a pandal, or a temporary platform, ahead of the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
A Hindu priest worships an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a pandal or temporary platform during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
An artisan decorates an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a pandal, or a temporary platform, ahead of the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
Hindu priests worship an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a pandal or temporary platform during the Durga Puja festival in Allahabad, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
An artisan applies final touches to a pandal, or a temporary platform during the Durga Puja festival in Agartala, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
People visit a pandal or temporary platform during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
A Hindu priest (L) offers sweets to Labnaya Bhattacharjee, a five and half-year old girl dressed as a Kumari, at a pandal or temporary platform during the religious festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
A Hindu priest adjusts the headgear of Nilanjana Chakraborty, a five-year old girl dressed as a Kumari, during the religious festival of Durga Puja in Agartala, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
People visit a pandal or temporary platform during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, India. Reuters
Durga Puja
A Hindu priest carries banana tree trunks wrapped in cloth after praying on the banks of the Ganges river during a ritual, as part of the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. Reuters
Durga Puja
Artisans apply finishing touches to an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga inside a marquee, ahead of the Durga Puja festival, in Kolkata. Reuters

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