The gorgeous beauty, power and mysticism of Ma Durga! I'm doing the Durga Puja pandal rounds this year too, as I usually do every year. I'm not a religious person, but the pull is too strong to resist. This wonderful tableau and display of Shakti is so unique, I have come to realise that. Even though women do have a lower status in the Hindu patriarchal system, including in the religious texts, as in all patriarchal systems around the world, the tradition of worshiping the Goddess is still strong, which gives me great comfort, as a woman. So I shout out loudly "Durga Mai Ki Jai"!