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A look at the craziest pandals from this festive season

Durga puja is one huge open air art installation, with all the impressive artwork, innovative pandals, and, of course, great food.

Across six days - Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami - Goddess Durga\'s devotees commemorate the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil demon Mahishasura.

In the center of every pandal stands the 10-armed Durga slaying Mahishasura, surrounded by other Gods. Conch shells are blown and the aroma of bhog fills the air.

But no two pandals are ever the same. Bengalis approach pandals with a competitive fervour usually absent from religion, trying to make sure that there pandal is bigger, better or simply more unique than the next.

This rivalry results in some stunning and, in some cases, plain bizarre pandals that only adds to the festive atmosphere. These unique pandals have resulted in the phenomenon of pandal hopping where revellers travel the city experiencing the different pandals on offer.