Time of the year : October
Devoteed to : Mother Durga
Reason of celebration : to devine power(Shakti)
The Festival
Durga Puja, the most important festival of Bengalis is the worship
of 'Shakti' or the devine power. It is celebrated throughout the
state, but with great grandeur in Kolkata. It commemorates the
victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The familiar sound of
Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh, the mild fragrance of Shiuli, gives a familiar
tug at every Bangali heart. It was organised and financed by the
landlords and the business barons and was participated by all
sections of people.
Celebrating time
Durga Puja is celebrated in the autumn months of September/
October. It is the time of the year when the weather is at its
moderate best giving the air a festive touch.
Goddess Durga
In Hindu mythology, Durga is a fierce form of Devi, the Mother
Goddess, the all-powerful almighty goddess.
The hour of the Goddesses is at hand and Bengal awaits them
expectantly. Once a year, in the autumnal month of Ashwin, she comes
home to her parents, together with her four children, Ganesh, Laxmi,
Karttik and Saraswati, and enjoys all the love and attention
lavished on her. Durga - Goddess of deliverance - comes to earth on
the seventh day after the autumn new moon. Seven days before Her
arrival starts the Devipaksha. The day is being observed as
'Mahalaya', the day of invocation. In the dark night of amabasya
(new moon), people pray to Goddess Durga to arrive in the earth to
ward off all evils. On the dawn of 'Mahalaya', homes in Bengal
resonate with the immortal verses of the 'Chandipath' (chanting of
the hymns of 'Chandi'). Unfortunately, this visit lasts only three
days, and on the fourth day she starts on her journey back to her
husband's abode in the mountain kingdom of Kailash.
Rituals of Durga Puja
Durga Puja is basically a festival with a long series of rituals
followed on every day of the Puja. Starting from the day of the
Mahalaya, the days of Sashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami
or Bijoya Dashami every day has its own unique rituals to follow.
Shashthi -
The main puja starts from shashthi which is the six day after the
new moon, the idol of the goddess is placed on a raised platform in
a previously erected enclosure. The goddess is also believed to
arrive on the same day, accompanied by her children Ganesha,
Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Sarasvati. The priest ceremonially
establishes life in the clay image and from now on till the tenth
day, the image is treated as the goddess herself. It is obligatory
for all worshippers to clean their houses, take a purificatory bath
and offer prayers to the goddess adorned in new clothes. Many
devotees also observe a fast on this day and break the fast after
the evening aarati.
Saptami -
Saptami is the first day of Durga puja. Kola Bow or Nabapatrika is
given a pre-dawn bath. This is an ancient ritual of worshiping nine
types of plants. They are together worshiped as a symbol of the
goddess. The main Saptami Puja follows Kalparambho and Mahasnan.
Ashtami -
Universally accepted as the culminating point of the four day
celebrations. It was on this day that Durga had killed Mahishasura.
Devotees recite the mantras and offer flowers to Devi Durga
(pushpanjali) and pray for her blessings. Rituals of animal
sacrificesare held, but animals are now substituted with 'chalkumro'
(type of pumpkin), cucumber and banana. The ritual of 'Sandhipuja'
marks Sandhikkhan, the juncture between Ashtami and Nabami. 108
'Deeps' are lighted during 'Sandhipuja'. At this time Devi Durga
took the role of Devi Chamunda to kill the Mahishasura (the Buffalo
Demon).
Navmi -
The ninth day is considered doubly auspicious, as the goddess is
believed to have been conceived and sent to earth by the gods on
this day. Nabami Bhog is the food offered to Devi Durga which is
later distributed among the devotees.
Dashmi -
The tenth day is called Vijayadashmi (the victorious tenth day). It
was on this day that the goddess slew the demon and rid the earth of
his evil, but it is also the day when she returns back to her home.
The idol of the goddess is taken to the river to be immersed on this
day. With the immersion, the ten-day festivities come to an end.
This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. The yearly
visit of the goddess is thought to bring well-being and happiness to
the people. Because of her auspicious presence, no meat, or alcohol
is consumed at this time. Bengalis typically wear new cloths on all
the four days of puja. The city of Kolkata almost never sleeps
during the last five days. All, irrespective of caste, creed and
religion, participate in this great festival, giving rise to a
brotherly spirit.
The beat of drums, the clash of cymbals, the ringing of bells,
dances before the image of Durga, incense wafting in the air, all
form an integral part of Durga puja. All too soon it is Bijoyam the
day when the images are taken in a procession and immersed in the
river Hooghly. Bengalis go back to their mundane lives to wait
another years to welcome the goddess. On the last day people visit
each other's houses. New clothes are purchased. Shops oveflow with
the latest goods. People take to the streets to visit the thousands
of puja pandals which spring virtually at every street corner.
Legends
There are various legend related to Durga Puja. It is believed that
in the ancient times, a demon called Mahishasura earned the favor of
Lord Shiva after long meditation and prayers. Shiva, pleased with
the devotion of the demon, blessed him with a boon that no man or
God would be able to kill him. Empowered with the boon, Mahishasura
started killing people mercilessly and even drove the Gods out from
heaven. The Gods then told Shiva about the atrocities of the demon.
Angered by this, Shiva opened his third eye and concentrated the
energy coming out of it to form a woman. All the Gods who were
present there contributed their share of energy to this Goddess and
thus Durga was born. Riding a lion, she attacked Mahishasura and
beheaded him. Ironically perhaps, Mahishasura may have founded the
Durga Puja when upon learning of his impending demise at the hands
of the goddess he, as his last wish, asked the goddess that he too
might be worshipped along with her. The goddess granted his wish and
since then, the demon is always seen at her feet in three of her
forms.
According to another local belief, Durga comes to the earth, her
parental home, during this time. She arrives on the sixth day of the
month and returns to her heavenly abode on the 10th day. For the 4
days that she is here however, she is welcomed and honored as a
family would welcome its married daughter.
Image of the Mother Goddess
A gentle and beautiful woman with ten arms is Goddess Durga. Nine
arms hold various weapons, one of which is a spear which pierces the
heart of the defeated gaint, the tenth arm, a left one, graps the
hair of the giant and even, occasionally, holds it aloft,
decapitated. The goddess sits atop a lion which is her vahan
(vehicle) and always helps in the attack. Images of her four
children: Lakshmi- the Goddess of wealth, Sarasvati- the Goddess of
knowledge, Kartik- the God of beauty and Ganesh- starter of
everything are also featured.
Decoration of the Idols
The images of Goddess are generally made on forms of straw and
bamboo, covered with clay. Local artisans are involved in making
beautiful clay images of the goddess.Traditionally the images were
carved out of white Indian cork, a very difficult technique. Today,
cork is only used to make her crown and ornaments. The idol is then
adorned in a traditional red sari and ornaments, as befitting a
married Hindu woman. Kumartuli and Krishnanagar, two small towns on
the outskirts of Kolkata, are very popular sources of Durga idols.
Puja Pandals
The images of Goddess Durga are then display in elaborates altars
or Puja Pandals. Families, institutions like colleges and
universities, even entire streets, get together months before puja
to collect money for their revered shrines. There are literally
hundreds of Puja Pandals in Kolkata. To make things easier,
newspapers send out their teams and publish lists that who is the
the best pandals in town. These are normally covered by special
coach tours.
Regional Celebrations
There are various ways in which Ma Durga is worshipped. Durga Puja
is celebrated with special festivities in the eastern part of India,
especially in West Bengal. The rituals and customs are different,
almost all parts of India, celebrate these nine days with devotion
and zeal. In north India, it is celebrated by fasts and solemnity,
in western India, it is marked by gaity and traditional dance and
garba dances, in south, pujas are offered for three days for three
goddess Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi.
Visit to Kolkata during Durgapuja and make your travel
unforgettable experience.
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