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The celebration of Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival. It tells the story of how the goddess Durga leaves her spiritual realm for five days every autumn and visits her mortal devotees to allow them to be seen by her.

It is a familiar story for families who rarely see their daughters who have married and now live with their husband’s family. Durga’s joyous visit to her devotees parallels the happiness of families when they receive their daughters for occasional visits.

Women are central to the celebration, and the festival ends when effigies of the goddess are taken to the Ganges and immersed in the water where they dissolve – symbolising Durga’s return to her husband.

Producer: Roger James Elsgood

(Photo credit: Getty Images)