AGARTALA, September 22 (TIWN): Barely 8 days to go for Durga Puja. Durga Puja is one of the largest festivals of the Bengali as well as the Hindu community. Though it is deemed to be a festival of Tripura by many, in the present time, the festival has taken over the entire world and is celebrated in different continents as well.

The gradual drifting of Bengalis throughout the world may be considered as one of the prime reasons for such a growth of popularity of Durga Puja throughout the world.

With pandals at every nook and corner the city is gearing up to celebrate the Durga Puja in full swing. The devotees in the city are eagerly waiting for their Maa Durga. The festive spirit has gripped the entire city. Every Club of the city is trying to make the event attractive. Hectic activities have started taking place to shape up giant pandals in different parts of the city. 

Durga Puja is celebrated for five days. Each of these days has special names which are Sasti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Bijoya Dasami respectively. However, people begin to celebrate right from the time of Mahalaya, a week ahead of Sasti. Mahalaya marks the inception of this festival when people use to burn fire crackers and listen to the Mahisasurmordini- the story about how goddess Durga killed the buffalo monster and thus saved earth from destruction.