Durga Puja: Know All About The Durga Puja Festival in India!

The grand festival of Durga Puja is celebrated most prominently in the eastern states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha and Bihar. It is one of the biggest and most important festivals for the Bengali community.

Durga Puja commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura after a long battle. The festival spans 10 days but the last 5 days are regarded as the most significant part of the celebrations.

In addition to revering Goddess Durga, who takes center stage, the deities Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Karthik are also worshipped during the festival. Intricate clay idols of the Goddesses are created by skilled artisans and installed in beautifully decorated puja pandals.

The festival is a visual delight with the pandals and idols being true works of art. From the welcoming of Ma Durga on the first day to the tearful immersion of idols on the tenth day, Durga Puja is celebrated with much zeal and fanfare across eastern India. It is a time for reunion, feasting on special bhog prasad and participating in cultural programs.

People of all communities come together to enjoy this mega celebration which showcases Indian art, culture and the victory of good over evil. The streets come alive with lights and color making Durga Puja a unique experience. For the Bengali community, it is the most anticipated festival of the year.

Know About The Birth of Devi Durga

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga was created by the combined energies of all the gods to defeat the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura was a powerful demon king who had gained a boon that no man could kill him. He started conquering the universe and defeated all the gods.

To save the cosmos from Mahishasura’s tyranny, the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came together with the other gods to pool their energies. A powerful burst of blinding light emerged from the gods and condensed into the form of a radiant goddess – Durga. She had many arms, each carrying a potent weapon from the gods. Durga was granted boons by the gods to be immortal and have immense power over evil. She was designated as Mahishasura Mardini – the slayer of Mahishasura.

The goddess shone with brilliance, sitting on a fierce lion and equipped with weapons from each god – Shiva’s trident, Vishnu’s discus, Indra’s thunderbolt etc. Thus Durga Devi was manifested by the collective might of all the gods, to be their champion in the battle against Mahishasura and fight forces of evil. Her divine birth gave her the power to finally destroy the demon after a long battle and restore balance of good in the world.

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What is The Significance of Durga Puja?

These are some of the main significance and meanings associated with Durga Puja:

• It celebrates the triumph of good over evil, represented by Durga’s slaying of the demon Mahishasura. This is a message of the ultimate victory of morality and justice.
• Durga symbolizes the divine feminine energy or shakti that sustains the cosmos and defeats negative forces threatening its existence.
• Goddess Durga embodies different virtues – courage, strength, wisdom, protection, motherhood. She is the complete transcendental energy supporting creation.
• Durga Puja commemorates the celestial homecoming of the goddess, who descends on earth to bless her devotees.
• The elaborate rituals and celebrations reaffirm faith in the Divine Mother and ancient traditions.
• It is a reminder that sincere prayer and devotion can invoke the grace of the Almighty to overcome life’s challenges.
• The festival represents a key cultural marker and brings the community together in celebration while upholding cherished Bengali traditions.
• It inspires people to connect with the deeper purpose of life beyond worldly preoccupations.
• Durga Puja reflects the ideals of purity, knowledge, peace and prosperity for all.

So, Durga Puja is a reverent celebration of the cosmic maternal energy and reiterates core Indian values of ethics, wisdom and devotion.

How is Durga Puja Celebrated in India?

Durga Puja is celebrated over 4-5 days usually in September-October as per the Hindu lunar calendar across India. The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. In preparation for the festival, intricate clay idols of the Goddess Durga are crafted months in advance by skilled artisans known as ‘kumars’. The idols depict Durga in her warrior form, riding a lion and wielding the weapons given to her by other Hindu gods and goddesses.

During the festival, these idols are installed in specially decorated temporary structures known as ‘pandals’. People gather at these pandals for the ritual ceremonies and prayers known as ‘puja’ which are led by priests and involve singing devotional songs known as ‘bhajans’. The most important days for the rituals are ‘Mahashtami’, ‘Mahanisha’ and ‘Vijaya Dashami’ when the Goddess is worshipped in her different forms by the devotees. On the last day of the festival, the idols are taken out in grand street processions with much fanfare for their ritual immersion or ‘visarjan’ in nearby rivers or other water bodies.

Durga Puja is not just about the rituals but also encompasses a range of cultural activities including plays, dance performances, fairs and more. People dress up in traditional silk clothing and women apply traditional motifs known as ‘alpana’ on the ground to welcome the Goddess. Grand feasts known as ‘bhog’ are prepared and offered to the deity before being distributed as ‘prasad’ and shared among devotees and their families and friends. In Kolkata,

the festival is celebrated as a glamorous socio-cultural carnival with thousands flocking elaborately decorated and lit up pandals which have become major tourist attractions. The intricate sculptures, lighting arrangements and cultural performances turn Kolkata into a magical place during Durga Puja. Essentially, Durga Puja is a grand celebratory worship of the principal feminine divine energy or ‘shakti’ in Hinduism and an occasion that reaffirms ancient traditions while strengthening community bonds.

Durga Puja Festive Traditions and Activities

The Durga Puja festival is marked by many exciting festive activities on the eve of the celebrations. Setting up lavishly decorated ‘pandals’ is one of the main preparations undertaken. A ‘pandal’ is the temporary structure where the idol of Goddess Durga is installed for the rituals and prayers. In the weeks prior, magnificently designed pandals are put up with great effort. Famous architectural wonders of the world are often replicated in the pandal themes. Creative artists also conceptualize new innovative pandal designs each year.

Another key feature is the plethora of street food stalls that pop up around the pandals, catering to the devotees. A wide variety of mouthwatering local street food can be found, ranging from crispy golgappas, hot fried bhajjis, samosas, rolls, and more. The aromas and flavors add to the overall festive atmosphere.

Shopping also forms an important part of the preparations as there is a tradition of wearing new traditional attire during the days of Durga Puja celebrations. People enthusiastically shop for new clothes and gifts beforehand. In states like West Bengal, devotees make it a point to wear a different set of new clothes on each day of the Puja.

So the weeks leading up to Durga Puja become a hive of hectic activity, from pandal construction to shopping expeditions to food stall sampling. The combined effect is a sense of ever-building anticipation and festive buzz among the community.

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History of Durga Puja

This is a brief overview of the history and origins of Durga Puja:

• The first mentions of Durga Puja rituals are found in the Sanskrit works Chandipurana and Devi Purana dating back to the 4th-5th centuries CE.
• The festival has its roots in the indigenous harvest festival worshipping the feminine divine observed in various forms across India.
• Durga Puja in its current form involving elaborate clay idols and pandal decorations originated in the 16th century in Bengal under Mughal rule.
• The Zamindars or landlords organized the first community Durga Puja in Bengal to unite people beyond class and religious divides.
• In the 18th century, ruler Krishnadutta Ray brought in key rituals like the aarati and popularized large-scale celebrations.
• By the 19th century, influential Bengali families competed to hold the most lavish Durga Pujas, commissioning the best artisans.
• In 1910, Sarat Chandra Bose initiated special community pujas like the unique matriarchal family-based Baroyari puja.
• Post-Independence, government sponsorships made the festival accessible to all economic sections while retaining artistic excellence.
• Over time, Durga Puja has evolved into Asia’s largest open-air art festival showcasing diverse creative talent and artisanship.
• International exposure expanded the global footprints of Durga Puja celebrations among the Indian diaspora since the late 20th century.

So while based on ancient harvest venerations, the current form of Durga Puja took shape in the late medieval period and continued evolving with patronage by royalty, influential families, and government support.

Detailed Information about the Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated grandly across India for over a week, with each day holding special significance. Different rituals and activities mark the various days.

Maha Shashti is when mythology states Goddess Durga descended to earth with her four children – Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Kartikeya. On Maha Shashti eve, the idol’s face is unveiled in the ritual ‘Bodhon’. Other rites like ‘Amontron’ and ‘Adhibash’ are also conducted. The arrival of Durga is announced by drums or ‘dhaak’.

Maha Saptami sees the major Maha Puja. At dawn, a banana tree is bathed in holy water and draped in a sari like a newlywed – this is ‘Kola Bou’. The tree is kept by Durga’s idol along with 9 plants depicting Durga’s 9 forms.

Maha Ashtami marks Durga’s victory over demon Mahishasura. Earlier, a buffalo sacrifice represented this but now hymns and prayers or ‘anjali’ are offered. Young girls as Kumari or Durga are revered. The significant ‘Sandhi Puja’ occurs.

On Maha Navami, elaborate aarti is conducted before the deity. Recreational events follow, then the sanctified food or ‘bhog’ is distributed.

Finally, Maha Dashami sees immersion of idols in rivers with fanfare – drum beats, singing and dancing. Married women playfully smear vermillion. People visit each other conveying ‘Vijoy Dashmi’ greetings and enjoy special dishes.

So each day spotlights meaningful rituals along with cultural programs, feasts and merriment, making Durga Puja a grand celebration.

How Durga puja Celebrate in Different States of Indian

Durga Puja is celebrated in unique ways across different states of India:

• West Bengal – It is the biggest festival here with elaborate art installations and pandals themes. Rituals, cultural events, feasts mark the 5 days.
• Odisha – Intricate crafts adorn pandals. Rituals involve agricultural produce representing harvest season. Maha Astami sees big processions.
• Assam – Along with Durga Puja, Kali Puja is also observed. Pandals have traditional ‘Chaporis’. Young girls are revered as Kanchi Kamakshi.
• Bihar – Here, Ramchandi and Sheetla are worshipped alongside Durga. Rituals are marked by purificatory acts using cow dung at yagna sites.
• Uttar Pradesh – Ram Lila is enacted alongside Durga Puja pandals. Rituals focus on ‘Kanya Pujan’ by feeding young girls representing the Goddess.
• Maharashtra – Durga Puja coincides with Navaratri so the garba dance is performed during these nine nights. Dandiya raas is also popular.
• Karnataka – Here, Durga Puja traditions combine with native harvest festival celebrations. Tableaus and processions mark the events.
• Kashmir – Locally known as Herath, a special ritual is the night-long vigil to await Goddess Durga’s arrival on Shashti.
• Kerala – Apart from prayer rituals, events like Kathakali dances, swimming competitions etc. are organized during the 4 days.

So while the core Durga Puja rituals remain similar, each region adds its own unique local flair.

Conclusion: Durga Puja is a vibrant celebration of good triumphing over evil, primarily observed in East India. It showcases intricate clay idols, beautifully decorated pandals, and embodies the power of the divine feminine. The festival’s rich history, regional customs, and diverse traditions make it a unique cultural experience. It’s a time for communities to come together, celebrate cherished values, and enjoy a grand fusion of art, culture, and spirituality, making it the most anticipated festival of the year for the Bengali community.

FAQs Related To Durga Puja Festival

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