During Durga Puja, most people focus on Maa Durga’s beautiful face, her weapons and the moment she defeats Mahishasura. But look just behind the idol, and you may discover another piece of art filled with stories, symbolism and centuries of tradition. Known as Chalchitra (also spelled Chandrachitra in some references), this decorative backdrop is much more than an ornament. In Bengal’s traditional Durga Puja, it can portray divine figures and sacred scenes that add another layer of meaning to the goddess’s presence.
