Community feasts, pandal-hopping mark Mahanavami celebrations in Bengal

Kolkata, Oct 20 (UNI) Community feasts and visits to relatives' homes for lunch were the two quintessential traditions that marked the spirit of Mahanavami on Tuesday, the penultimate day of Durga Puja across West Bengal. The festival, which usually spans five days, was observed over six days this year, according to the puja almanac, with both Saturday and Sunday being celebrated as Maha Saptami. At puja marquees and households worshipping the Goddess, people partook of bhog, food offered to the deity before being served to devotees. The spread ranged from luchis (deep-fried puffed bread) and khichuri to an assortment of…