The murti (idol) of Durga in Bengal during Durga Puja is sometimes flanked by Ganesh, Kartik (Murugan), Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi. But what are these four important gods and goddesses in Hindu pantheon doing with Mahishasura Mardini during Durga Puja? The popular story of Durga Puja and Navratri is that of Goddess Durga slaying demon Mahishasura. But in Bengal and in Eastern India , there is another story too and that is Goddess Durga along with her children coming to the earth to visit her parents. Confused?... Well, in Bengali story Goddess Durga is Uma or Sati the consort of Lord Shiva. The legend goes like this. Uma or Sati Marrying Lord Shiva Uma, also known as Sati, was the beautiful daughter of Daksha, the king of Himalayas , and Menaka. Uma was in love with Lord Shiva and she worshipped and prayed to him to make her his wife. Pleased with Uma’s devotion, Lord Shiva accepted to marry Uma or Sati. But Daksha was not ready to give her daught