The festivals of Bengal are characterized by joyous ceremonies, enthusiasm paralleled with ample fun and celebration. During the festivals, the rich and the poor alike assemble together to enhance the spirit of their festive moods. These festivals embody the robust and composite cultural heritage of the state. Saraswati Puja is one of the most devotional festivals of West Bengal and the worship of Goddess Saraswati is held between the juncture of winter and spring. This festival is particularly important for students and artists, who seek the blessing of the goddess to nurture their talents. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped early in the morning with 'aarti' and 'boi puja' forms an important aspect. This festival is celebrated in all schools and colleges and the youth can be seen participating in the puja with much enthusiasm. It is also marked as the day of eating plums. Dol Jatra is also referred to as 'Dol Purnima'. This festival is held on a full-moon day in early spring. During this spring carnival, everyone delight in daubing one another with colors. Dol is also associated with the legend of lord Krishna, where the lord used to play colors with Radha and other Gopis. Besides, Vaishnavas solemnly observe the day as the Birthday of Chaitanya. Dol is also celebrated as 'Boshonto Utsav' at University of Shantiniketan. The noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore initiated this 'utsav', where youth are welcoming the season of spring with colors and sweets. Holika is burnt in the evening as the symbol of the victory of good over evil. Maha Shivaratri is observed during the month of February-March, wherein the devotees fast through out the day. They also make four Shivlings, which are later offered in puja in four "prahars" (a measure of time equal to 3 hours) of the night. In the first prahar one of the shivalings is bathed in milk, in the second it is bathed with curd, in the third with ghee and finally in the fourth with honey. The devotees also stay awake the through the Shivaratri night. The following morning, they pray, listen to religious discourses, feed the Brahmins, offer them dakshina and finally break their fast with prasad. At some places in West Bengal, Mahashivratri celebrations are confined to the Shiva temples. Tarakeshwar temple, which is 57 km from Kolkata is famous for this occasion. Bare-footed pilgrims carry containers with the water of river Ganga to pour over the stone image of the Lord Shiva. In other temples, women visit with a copper vessel containing milk and water along with the leaves of Bel or woodapple tree, a Bel, fruits and flowers and a lamp. Devotees then bathe Shiva Linga with water mixed with milk. After Puja they return home to break their fast with fruits. Naba Barsho or Poila Baishak or Bengali New Year is celebrated in the month of Baisakh, which falls in the month of April as per the English calendar. It is an extreme joyous occasion for the Bengalis and the businessmen in particular. This festival is characterized by visiting the temples and relatives, making offerings, buying new clothes, greeting people etc. The Rath Yatra festival celebrated mainly in the region of Mahesh few miles away from Calcutta. It attracts lakhs of tourists from all over the state as well as the country. This day is considered as auspicious and marks the start of the sowing season for the monsoon crop throughout Eastern India. Grand fairs are also held throughout the state. Rakhi is one of the popular festivals of West Bengal and marks the love and affection between brothers and sisters. On this special day the sisters tie a colorful band made of threads and beads on the wrists of their brothers with the belief that this will bring peace, success and good health to their brothers' life throughout the year. The brothers also take a vow to protect their sister against all perils. They also present their sisters with some gifts as a token of love. This festival is celebrated in West Bengal with much exuberance and marks the birth of the Lord Krishna. It falls on the day of Ashtami in the Sharavan month according to the Hindu calendar. In the Krishna temples Rasila is performed, which enacts incidents from the life of Krishna and to commemorate his love for Radha. Durga Puja is the main festival of West Bengal. The enchanting sounds of 'Dhak', 'Dhunuchi nach', mild fragrance of the 'Shiuli flower' and scenic delight of 'Kash' flower enlightens every Bengali heart. This festival is observed in the months of September or October and has now is celebrated by Bengalis across the world. A spirit of euphoria sets in during the four-day festive celebrations and the whole state is found to explode into a riot of colors and celebrations. Worship of Goddess Kali during Diwali is observed as Kali Puja in West Bengal. The houses and temples all over the state are decorated and lit with oil lamps, candles or 'diyas'. Family members gather around in the evening for the worship of Goddess Kali. Kali Puja is held around one month after Durag Puja during Octover or November. 'Bhratri Dwitiya' or 'Bhai Phota' is celebrated in West Bengal as a pure symbol of dedicated love and affection between brothers and sisters. Brothers bless their sisters and also promise to protect them from all hardships. This festival is celebrated two days after Kali Puja and can be redefined as a bond that speaks of sensitivity and timeless relationship. Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated in the month of Kartick or in the English month of November. In the region of Chandannagar, near Kolkata, huge pandals are built and decorated with lights. The illumination and electrification makes the festive celebrations of Chandannagar take pride in its highly rich heritage and tradition of art and culture.