West Bengal Governor announces Rs 5 lakh Bengaliana award for best Durga Puja pandal

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 19 : West Bengal has announced a Rs 5 lakh 'Bengaliana' award for the best 'Durga Puja' pandal in the state on Thursday, said a press release from Raj Bhavan.
The award will be given on Vijayadashami Day, which is also popularly known as Dussehra, it said.
He has asked people to fill nominations for the title of the best Durga Puja pandal at email ID aamnesaamne.rajbhavankolkata@gmail.com, as per the release.
The people's jury will select the best pandal from the nominations. No money from the government will be used for the prize, the release stated.
As the Durga Puja festival approaches, West Bengal is abuzz with excitement.
Preparations for one of the most significant Hindu festivals are in full swing, with Puja organizing committees decorating their pandals with unique and diverse themes.
The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur.
Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art, and culture.
From the reverberation of 'dhaak' and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days. In other parts of the country, during the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga's nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings. There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navratri.
During these nine days, people observe ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes. In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives.