Pandit for Durga Puja in Kolkata! Durga Puja is one of the biggest and most well-known celebrations in Hindu culture, specifically in areas like West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Bihar. This festival celebrates the goddess Durga and celebrates the triumph of goodness over evil. In the center of this celebration are pandits. pandits–Hindu priests who are instrumental in the elaborate ceremonies and rituals that form the basis of Durga Puja.
Pandits are of immense significance since they are the carriers of ancient Vedic wisdom and practices. Their role is more than just carrying out rituals. They can be spiritual mentors that benefit devotees connect to God through chanting, praying, and precise ritualistic practice. A knowledgeable pandit makes sure that every aspect of the Durga Puja, from the prayer to the goddess through the adoration of the idol, is executed alike to the customs of religion. Their profound knowledge of sacred texts and the scriptures helps to create a holy atmosphere as well as reverence and devotion that allows devotees to feel the true meaning of Durga Puja.
Performing rituals such as Chandi Path, Kumari Puja, and Sandhi Puja, pandits benefit from invoking the goddess’ blessing, Durga, in order to ensure peace as well as prosperity and security for the entire community. They are essential in keeping the value of Durga Puja and also in creating a stronger bond between devotees and goddesses on this auspicious day.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- 1 Historical Significance of Durga Puja in Kolkata
- 2 Role of Pandits During Durga Puja in Kolkata
- 3 Choosing the Right Pandit for Your Puja in Kolkata
- 4 Book Best Pandits in Kolkata for 2024
- 5 Costs For Booking a Panditji in Kolkata
- 6 Durga Puja Rituals Performed by Pandits
- 6.1 Bodhon (Invoking the Goddess)
- 6.2 Kalparambha (Commencement for the puja)
- 6.3 Nava Patrika Puja (Worship of Nine Thatchers)
- 6.4 Chandipath (Recitation of Chandi Path)
- 6.5 Pushpanjali (Offering of Flowers)
- 6.6 Sandhi Puja
- 6.7 Kumari Puja
- 6.8 Balidan (Animal Sacrifice or Symbolic Sacrifice)
- 6.9 Homa (Fire Ritual)
- 6.10 Visarjan (Immersion of the Idol)
- 7 How to Book Pandit for Durga Puja in Kolkata
Historical Significance of Durga Puja in Kolkata
Durga Puja, which is celebrated in Kolkata, is of significant significance both culturally and historically and has evolved through the decades. The celebration began at the end of the 16th century in the Mughal Empire. Wealthy landowners, referred to as zamindars, started the first large community pujas, known as Barowari Puja, in their estates.
It was the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family that organized one of the first documented Durga Pujas in 1610, beginning a long-standing tradition.
At the turn of the 18th century, as Kolkata was growing during the time of British administration, Durga Puja became even more well-known. The event was arranged by a group of 12 people in Guptipara, Hooghly, marking the beginning of participation in the community.
In the mid-19th and early 20th century, Durga Puja became a celebration of social and religious significance and was often utilized to express nationalist sentiments during the struggle for independence of India. The leaders such as Subhas Chandra Bose saw the festival as an opportunity to bring people together.
Role of Pandits During Durga Puja in Kolkata
Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival that is celebrated with a lot of excitement, particularly in Kolkata is more than an opportunity for communal celebration but also one that is profoundly spiritual. The central focus of this incredibly vibrant celebration is the Pandits, priests who have been trained and who are the key to managing the religious rituals that celebrate goddess Durga.
The responsibilities of pandits in Durga Puja:
Pandits are given the sacred task of conducting an intricate series of rituals that last for the entire duration of the celebration, usually for five days. Their primary function is to bring about the divine presence of Goddess Durga through a sequence of mantras, prayers, and offerings. The ceremony begins with ‘Bodhon’, the ritual of the goddess’s invocation on Mahalaya that marks the start of celebrations. Then comes the festivals of ‘Saptami Ashtami”, ‘Navami’ and ‘Dashami’ having their rituals and significance.
One of the main rituals conducted by the Pandits includes the Aarti, a form of worship during which candles are lit and moved circularly before the goddess’s idol, Durga. The ‘Pushpanjali’ ceremony is a vital ritual that requires devotees to offer flowers to the goddess while singing Sanskrit shlokas under the direction of the Pandits. The day before the ‘Sandhi Puja that is the day that marks the change from Ashtami to Navami, the Pandits take part in a particular and elaborate ceremony considered as the best ominous period of the festival.
Spiritual and Cultural Contributions:
Pandits are a significant part of the fabric of culture that is Durga Puja. They practice traditional rituals like the practice of Sanskrit songs and the correct practice of old-fashioned rituals, which act as a bridge to the rich tradition of the Hindu religion. Additionally, many Pandits nowadays are adopting modern modifications to make the ceremonies more accessible to younger generations by performing ceremonies in two languages and with technology to connect with a larger population.
Modern Adaptations:
Today, even though certain traditional practices are being adapted to modern lifestyles, the fundamentals of the ceremonies remain the same. For instance, certain Pandits are now together microphones in order to warrant they can warrant that their mantras are heard by all worshippers present. Furthermore, thanks to the development of streaming technology, many rituals are streamed live to allow people from all over the world to join in online.
Choosing the Right Pandit for Your Puja in Kolkata
Celebrated especially in the city of Kolkata, Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals in the region and is performed with phenomenal commitment and opulence. It is important to select the right pandit for conducting your Durga Puja as this will help in carrying out the rituals correctly and with due respect. Planning to host the puja celebrations? Here is why and how you should go about selecting the most suitable pandit.
Related read:- Durga Puja In Mumbai: Cost, Vidhi, Benefits & Booking Process
Book Best Pandits in Kolkata for 2024
Durga Puja 2024. One of the key elements of your puja is finding the right pandit and fiyopa.in we strive to offer the best pandit services in Kolkata. Our highly skilled pandits have been performing Durga Puja and other Hindu pujas for many years, and every detail and devotion required is taken care of.
Ours is a focused practice where we have pandits for Durga Puja who know the specific puja methodology relating to the functions thereby helping in ensuring that the festivals are celebrated in the right way. With a convenient booking system, your convenience is given priority since you will be able to identify the days and the times of the day when your family would like these services.
The pricing is straightforward without any hidden costs, making it easier for you to plan your treasury for the puja. Our pandits respect local culture and traditions and they make sure that you have your Durga Puja performed in a manner that is representative of tradition in Kolkata.
Our pandits give attention to detail and one can actually meet with them and explain what one needs so that they can customize the ritual accordingly. Now you do not have to bother much with the puja in accommodation for the marriage as all our pandits can also carry with them all the needed puja samagri for revelry.
Once the ceremonies have been accomplished, our pandit also shares some useful tips as to how to preserve the favorable energy and blessings in your house, enabling you to carry your delight in the festivities of Durga Puja for the entire year.
Costs For Booking a Panditji in Kolkata
The price of booking a pandit ji in Kolkata strictly depends on the kind of puja being conducted, the experience of the pandit, and the nature of the rituals performed. For minor pujas like Griha Pravesh or Satyanarayan Katha, the cost ranges between ₹2000 to ₹5000 only since basic ones are performed. In carnival-type festive pujas like Durga puja or Lakshmi puja, the cost varies between starts at 5000 to 15000, depending on the number and complexity of the rites.
Individualized ceremonial services like Weddings or Community functions of more than two days would for a beginning cost of ₹10000, going as high as 50000 or more depending on the nature and number of Rites and days. Other simple expenses that need to be worried about include additional expenses for providing puja articles, which may cost only an additional 500 to 2000, and transportation in case the pandit travels far.
At fiyopa.in, we are pleased to say there are no price surprises – all our unscrupulous business techniques are exposed, and all our packages meet your puja requirements for the best value when it comes to services for any level, from just a home puja to a pompous Durga puja.
Durga Puja Rituals Performed by Pandits
Durga Puja is one such festival which is celebrated by performing a defined series of complex rituals collectively called the durga puja by the pandits themselves with utmost dedication and precision. Such rituals provide assurance that the deity, Goddess Durga, is worshiped according to the laws of Kulkarni. So, there are some key customary rituals which the pandits perform during Durga puja, such as:
Bodhon (Invoking the Goddess)
This is the ritual of welcoming and invoking Goddess Durga, thus entailing the commencement of the puja. It is often done on Sashti, which is the sixth day of the festival. The pandit chants the Sanskrit hymn, which is believed to awaken the goddess from her slumber into her idolized form.
Kalparambha (Commencement for the puja)
The Kalparambha ritual which is also referred to as the sthaapanaa is an activity done especially before the main puja begins. It involves the diversionary worship of Ganesh as well as the invoking of sacred objects like the ghata, a copper pot with a coconut on top which acts as a physical representation of the deity.
On Saptami, the 7th day of the festival, the pandit performs the Nava Patrika Puja where 9 such plants are worshiped as if they are the goddess herself and her disguise (Navadurga). These plants are bathed and covered with a piece of cloth known as a sari and are then positioned next to the idol of Durga.
Chandipath (Recitation of Chandi Path)
Chandi Path recitation throughout the puja of Durga is a significant task which mainly involves the chanting of the “Dura Saptashati” or “Chandi Path” by the priest and is a source of eulogy to the deity while also recounting events of her defeating evil.
Pushpanjali (Offering of Flowers)
On all the important days of the puja are Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, the Oudh bhanja includes the worshippers. This practice signifies devotion and surrender to the goddess.
Sandhi Puja
Sandhi Puja, one of the most important rituals enacted at the intersection of Ashtami and Navami, will be the focus of this Sambodhi. and Pavitra Daksha includes lighting 108 deepas and offering 108 lotuses to the deity.
Kumari Puja
Ashtami, on this day, the priest undertakes the ritual of worshiping a small girl, Kumari, who is said to be the consort of the goddess. Kumari is usually a little girl who faces the Idol of Kumari. She is given some new clothes and food and some presents.
Balidan (Animal Sacrifice or Symbolic Sacrifice)
On the day of Navami, the Bali or bah-qaid is held as a votive oblation to the deity. In the past, this festival often involved animal slaughter; currently, however, in many places, it involves fruit or pumpkin or sugarcane rather than actual sacrifice.
Homa (Fire Ritual)
On the same day, the pandit carries out the homa, in which offerings are made into a sacred fire along with chanting of mantras. It signifies the eradication of negative energies and works and purification of the surroundings.
Sindoor Khela (Playing with Ver-milion)
On Dashami, prior to the immersion of the idol, dressed in new clothes the married women who concept their husbands with the assistance of sindoor are blessed with the help of the pandit. This is a happy ceremony that signifies a woman’s power and the triumph of righteousness over wickedness.
Visarjan (Immersion of the Idol)
The last rite of the sequence, Visarjan, is held on Dashami. The priest occupies the front of the procession and says some mantras before the idol of Goddess Durga is moved to be immersed in the river or a water body which indicates her returning back to Mount Kailash.
The Yajman has to perform pūjā of the wooden weapons with sacred mantras and rituals along with the other revitalization rites. At Fiyopa. every pandit is trained to carry out every single step of the Durga Puja in the correct manner with great devotion, adding joy and blessings to your celebrations.
How to Book Pandit for Durga Puja in Kolkata
To Book pandit for Durga puja in Kolkata you can call at provided number on the website o by filling contact form in the book panditji page. our experts will contact you instantly.
Conclusion:
Apart from being a festival of victory, Durga Puja is also a deeply spiritual experience, and the pandit’s functions are of utmost importance in relation to this occasion. He invokes the goddess with rituals like Bodhon and Sandhi Puja and assists the followers in their prayers.
In every step of the puja because of his skills, he makes certain that it is done with utmost respect and precision. It is crucial for the preservation of the sanctity and full appreciation of the spirit and culture embedded in the celebration of the festival that a competent pandit is entrusted with the performance of Durga Puja cultural festivities in Kolkata.
At Fiyopa, we provide the easiest and quickest one stop solution regarding the booking of learned and family-oriented pandits with the knowledge of all the puja aspects. Our pujaris perform the puja according to the traditional norms practiced, however modern day requirements are also taken into consideration. From the comfort of your home, you can forge ahead and book for the Year 2024 Durga Puja in a Devotional, Blessed and Joyous Way through our Coffee Salt strategies; ingenious strategies that incorporate Pujari services at very competitive prices with simple booking procedures.
Related read:- Pandit For Puja in Mumbai: Fees, Vidhi, and Booking Process