Festivals of the World Series – Durga Puja (Part 1)
India is renowned and famous for various festivals held throughout the year. The festivals foster unity and prosperity among the millions of people residing within the country. They intend to bond mankind with the spirituality of the God Almighty. People of different religions, genders, and ages assemble to celebrate the festivals with grandeur and amusement.
Durga Puja is one of the prominent festivals of Eastern India. The Puja (worship) is to offer homage to Goddess Durga, the symbol of strength and valor. The festival marks the demolition of Mahishashura, the demon king, by the powerful Goddess Durga.
The Myth
It is believed that the demons were creating havoc in heaven led by evil and dangerous Mahishashura. The Gods were unable to cope up with the desolation caused by the demons and seek the help of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Brahma, the supreme and superpowers of the Universe. They created Goddess Durga through their divine power and equipped her with various weapons to fight against the demons. The tussle between Durga and Mahishashura continued for ten days. On the tenth day, Durga was able to destroy the evil power of Mahishashura and saved the world and heaven from the treacherous attack of the demons.
Goddess Durga
Goddess Durga also is known as Parvati, had been married to Lord Shiva. She has two daughters Saraswati and Lakshmi and two sons Ganesha and Karthik. She rides on a lion and has ten hands.
The Custom
Every year it is believed that Durga accompanied by her sons and daughters comes into Earth amongst her devotees to bless them with peace, prosperity, goodwill, and health. She stays for five days and returns to her home in the Himalayas on day fifth. The day on which the festival initiates is called Sashthi (the sixth day), followed by Saptami (seventh day), Ashtami (eighth day), Nabami (ninth day), and Dashami (tenth day).
The Preparation
Every year number of skilled artists create hundreds of idols of Goddess Durga. They spent days after days barring heat and rains to construct lively figurines of the Goddess. It is wonderful to watch the craftsmen carving out the figures and painting them with various colors. They drape the idols with colorful attires of eastern India called the saris. The idols depict the defeat of Mahishashura by Goddess Durga with the Trident or the Trishul.
The Celebrations
The five days of the festival are celebrated with enthusiasm and rigor. It is customary to wear new clothes and shoes for all five days. As part of the ritual, families and close ones exchange new clothes or gifts as a mark of ushering new light in our lives and put an end to all the evil around us. Many people distribute new clothes to orphanages, poor children, and old homes. It is a festival to celebrate happiness with all.
The idol of Goddess Durga is kept inside ornately decorated temporary huts or pandals. She is offered flowers and food by her devotees. People flock in large numbers to offer their prayers and seek her blessings.
Various cultural programs are held in the pandal premises for entertainment and recreation. Fairs are also sometimes organized near the pandals for amusement.
The immersion of Goddess Durga in the holy river Ganges is another interesting part of the celebration. Accompanied by drum beats and chanting of the Mantras, Goddess Durga is bid farewell on the tenth day Dashami as she returns back to Lord Shiva.
Durga Puja is a festival to symbolize power, energy, force, and purity wherein people engage with each other for success and well-being.
Author
Kuntala
A travel enthusiast craving to explore the exotic destinations in the world, deciphering the mysteries and the thrill concealed in them.
I always love to know about new culture, celebrations, and festivities . Thanks for sharing this beautiful and teach about this reach tradition.
Happy you liked the series
Very interesting culture. I love the idea of unity and peace. Reading this made me feel really good.
Thank you. Glad you liked
Proud to be a Bengali and a part of the culture, that is so well-celebrated.
Yup one of the finest festivals of Bengalis
Don’t I just love Pujo! I terribly missed Durga Puja this year and it was my first after getting married this year! But your post certainly brought back beautiful memories 🙂
woo bengali, I knew you will like
Everybody has their own culture in their country. This Culture is so very interesting to know. Thanks for sharing your Festival!
Its one of the greatest festivals in India. Glad you liked it
I’ve always found the food, clothing and architecture of the Indian culture so fascinating..
XO, MJ
https://www.lush-fab-glam.com
Thank you so much
Fascinating to learn the myths and festivals of another culture. These are so colorful in detail.
Me too enjoying writing the series
Oh wow. This is interesing! You have rich culture and beliefs!
Thank you Ruth
It’s always great to know about other people’s culture or traditions. It’s very fulfilling to learn more. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed a lot.
Glad you liked the post
Hi Kuntala,
Just finished your beautifully-written about Durga puja and what stunning photos! I also have a blog and cover the same topic. It’s for “51 Pandal of Durga Puja in Kolkata | best guides | North South Central”. Kindly check and share your views.
Thanks
Ruma Dey Baidya
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