Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil demon Mahishasura. It is also a cultural and social event that showcases the rich heritage and diversity of the Bengali community. Durga Puja is observed in the autumn months of September or October, according to the lunar calendar, and lasts for five days, from the sixth to the tenth day of the bright fortnight. Durga Puja is not only celebrated in West Bengal but also in other parts of India and the world, where Bengalis reside or have their roots.
The Origin and Significance of Durga Puja:
According to Hindu mythology, Durga Puja commemorates the epic battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon king who had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any man or god. Mahishasura unleashed a reign of terror on earth and heaven, and challenged the gods to a war. The gods, unable to defeat him, approached Lord Vishnu, who suggested that they should create a new goddess with their combined powers and energies. Thus, Durga was born, with ten arms, each holding a weapon given by a different god, and riding a lion, the king of beasts. She fought with Mahishasura for nine days and nights, and finally killed him on the tenth day, restoring peace and order in the universe. This day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, or the day of victory.
Durga Puja also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time to worship the feminine aspect of the divine, and to honor the motherhood, power, and grace of Durga. Durga Puja also represents the annual visit of Durga to her paternal home, along with her children, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, who are also worshipped during the festival. Durga Puja is a way of expressing gratitude, devotion, and joy to the goddess, who is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of troubles and fulfill their wishes.
The Rituals and Customs of Durga Puja:
Durga Puja involves various rituals and customs that are performed with great enthusiasm and fervor by the Bengalis. The festival begins with Mahalaya, the day when the eyes of the clay idols of Durga are drawn, and the invocation of the goddess is done through the chanting of hymns and mantras. The idols are then transported to the pandals, or temporary structures, where they are installed and decorated with flowers, lights, and other accessories. The pandals are also adorned with various themes and artworks, reflecting the creativity and craftsmanship of the artists and organizers.
The main rituals of Durga Puja start from the sixth day, or Shashthi, when the idols are unveiled and the awakening of the goddess is done through a ceremony called Bodhon. The seventh day, or Saptami, marks the beginning of the worship, with the bathing of a banana plant, or Kola Bou, which is considered as the consort of Ganesha, and the offering of nine types of plants, or Nabapatrika, which represent the nine forms of Durga. The eighth day, or Ashtami, is the most auspicious day of the festival, when the main puja, or worship, is done, along with the offering of 108 lotuses and the lighting of 108 lamps, during the Sandhi Puja, which is the juncture between Ashtami and Navami. The ninth day, or Navami, is the last day of the worship, when the Homa, or fire sacrifice, is performed, and a special Bhog, or food offering, is distributed among the devotees. The tenth day, or Dashami, is the day of farewell, when the idols are immersed in the water, after the Sindoor Khela, or the vermilion play, among the married women, and the Dhunuchi Naach, or the dance with the incense burners, in front of the idols. The devotees also embrace each other and exchange greetings and sweets, wishing for a happy and prosperous year ahead.
The Cultural and Social Aspects of Durga Puja:
Durga Puja is not only a religious festival, but also a cultural and social one, that showcases the vibrant and diverse aspects of the Bengali culture. Durga Puja is a time to enjoy the various forms of art, music, literature, and cuisine that are associated with the festival. The pandals are the hubs of cultural activities, where various performances, exhibitions, competitions, and fairs are organized, attracting thousands of visitors and spectators. The pandals also display the artistic and aesthetic sensibilities of the Bengalis, who use various materials, techniques, and styles to create unique and innovative themes and designs for the idols and the pandals.
Durga Puja is also a time to socialize and bond with family, friends, and community. It is a time to wear new and traditional clothes, and to indulge in the delicious and diverse dishes that are prepared and served during the festival. It is a time to visit the pandals, and to admire the beauty and splendor of the idols and the decorations. It is a time to participate in the rituals and customs, and to seek the blessings of the goddess. It is a time to celebrate the spirit and essence of being a Bengali, and to share the joy and happiness with others.
How Bengalis Celebrate Durga Puja:
Durga Puja is the most awaited festival for the Bengalis, who celebrate it with great enthusiasm and zeal. The celebration starts much before the actual festival, with the shopping for new clothes, accessories, and gifts. The markets are flooded with people, who bargain and buy the latest fashion and trends. The women also buy jewellery, cosmetics, and sindoor, to adorn themselves during the festival.
The celebration also involves the preparation of various delicacies, especially sweets, that are offered to the goddess and shared with family and friends. The most popular sweets are sandesh, rosogolla, mishti doi, and payesh, which are made with milk, sugar, and cottage cheese. The other dishes include luchi, aloo dum, khichuri, labra, chutney, and papad, which are served as bhog or prasad. The non-vegetarian dishes include fish, chicken, and mutton, which are cooked with spices and mustard oil. The most coveted fish is the hilsa, which is considered as the queen of fish, and is fried or cooked in mustard gravy. The hilsa is also a symbol of the Bengali identity and culture, and is enjoyed with steamed rice and green chillies.
The celebration also involves the pandal hopping, which is the act of visiting various pandals and admiring the idols and the decorations. The pandals are usually themed on various topics, such as social issues, historical events, mythological stories, or contemporary art. The pandals are also a place to enjoy the cultural programmes, such as music, dance, drama, and recitation, that are performed by various artists and groups. The pandals are also a place to meet old and new friends, and to exchange greetings and compliments.
The celebration also involves the participation in the rituals and customs, that are performed with devotion and faith. The most important ritual is the pushpanjali, which is the offering of flowers and prayers to the goddess. The devotees wear new and clean clothes, and chant the mantras along with the priest. The other rituals include the aarti, which is the waving of lamps and incense sticks in front of the idol, the anjali, which is the offering of fruits and sweets to the goddess, and the sindoor khela, which is the smearing of vermilion on the forehead and cheeks of the married women. The sindoor khela is a symbol of marital bliss and happiness, and is also a way of expressing love and affection among the women.
The celebration also involves the immersion of the idols, which is the final and the most emotional part of the festival. The idols are carried in processions, accompanied by the sound of dhaak, conch shells, and ululation. The devotees bid farewell to the goddess, and request her to return next year. The idols are then immersed in the water, which is believed to be the abode of the goddess. The devotees also take a dip in the water, and collect some clay from the idol, which they keep in their homes as a blessing. The immersion marks the end of the festival, and the beginning of a new year.
Conclusion:
Durga Puja is the festive season of the Bengalis, that reflects their faith, culture, and identity. It is a festival that honors the goddess Durga, and her victory over the evil Mahishasura. It is a festival that celebrates the power and grace of the feminine, and the motherhood and compassion of Durga. It is a festival that showcases the artistic and creative talents of the Bengalis, and their passion and enthusiasm for life. It is a festival that brings together the people of different ages, backgrounds, and regions, and fosters a sense of unity and harmony among them. Durga Puja is the festival that makes the Bengalis proud of their heritage, and happy for their existence.