Table of Contents
Durga Puja (Durga Puja): Complete Description of the Best Festivals in India
Durga Puja (Durga Puja) Origin and History
Durga Puja is the most magnificent and heartfelt festival of Bengalis, which is a reflection of religious beliefs and cultural heritage. According to Hinduism, Goddess Durga is a wonderful form of energy. According to the Puranas, to protect the gods from the tyranny of the Asura king Mahishasura, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar combine their power to create the symbol of great power, Goddess Durga. This ten-handed goddess fought against Mahishasura for ten days and defeated and killed her on the tenth day. This victory is the source of Vijaya Dashami and the main significance of Durga Puja.
Goddess Durga’s Durga Birth story
Goddess Durga emerges from the combined power of the gods, when Swargalok is disturbed by the tyranny of Mahishasura. Every god gives him his weapon—Vishnu gives chakra, Shiva gives trishul, Indra gives thunder, fire gives fire. Adorned with all these powers and weapons, the goddess took the form of an indomitable warrior. A terrible battle lasted for ten days, and finally on the tenth day Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura. This victory is not just a victory of a war, it is the eternal symbol of the defeat of evil forces by the good forces.
Ancient Durgotsav History
The history of Durga Puja is quite old. It is mentioned in Sanskrit dramas and ancient scripts of the 7th century. As time went by, the organization of big pujas started gradually with the initiative of the zamindar house. The zamindars of Rajshahi, Dinajpur and Nadia initially practiced Barwari Durga Puja, where a group of people gathered together and organized the puja. Later, in 1832, public Durga Puja was organized for the first time in Calcutta’s Bhagbazar, where people from all walks of life can participate – from that, the tradition of our known public worship was developed from that.
Durga Puja (Durga Puja) When and where are celebrated?
Durga Puja is usually held in the month of Ashwin, in the charming atmosphere of autumn. According to the English calendar, it is read between September-October. Not only in West Bengal, the joy of this festival spread to states like Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Tripura as well. With the sound of dhaka, the dress of light, and the bright touch of devotion, the whole society is covered with the joy of puja.
According to Bengali calendar Durga Puja determining time
Durga Puja begins on the holy day of Mahalaya, when the arrival of the goddess is called through Chandipatha in the early morning. Then one by one comes Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami—every day there is a special ritual, worship, and obsession with devotion. Finally comes Dashami, i.e. Vijaya Dashami, on the day when Goddess Durga is bid farewell in tears and is immersed in the water of Ganges. In this farewell, the expectation to return next year is mixed—’the coming year will be again’.
Read More: Jagadhatri: Why was Jagadhatri created! Know the history of the advent of the goddess
Durga Puja (Durga Puja) Five days
Durga Puja is mainly celebrated with fanfare for five days—starting from Shashti and ending on Vijaya Dashami. Each day has a different custom, joy and deep significance. Starting with the Bodhan of the Goddess on the sixth, the main puja starts from Saptami, Ashtami means Kumari Puja and Anjali’s crowd, Chandipath and Sandhipuja’s passion for Navami, and on the tenth day, the eye-soaking farewell. These five days are like the five brightest chapters of Bengali life.
monarchy
The dreamy journey of Durga Puja begins with Mahalaya. Waking up early in the morning and listening to Virendrakrishna Bhadra’s voice on the radio ‘Mahishasuramardini’ makes the first pulse of Puja wake up in the minds of Bengalis. This day is not only the beginning of worshiping the goddess, but also the day of tarpan paying tribute to the ancestors. There was an emotional atmosphere all around – it seems that Mother Durga is really coming, with the message of her arrival in mortals.
sixth
The real beginning of Durga Puja is from the sixth day. On this day, the goddess is called to mortal through special mantras and rituals. It is on this day that the idol’s eyes are painted on the idol, which is called ‘Netradan’. At that moment, let life be established in the idol – the goddess becomes alive, awakens devotion, emotion and a strange excitement in the minds of the visitors. From the evening of Shashti, the mandapam started all over the city and village, the surroundings were filled with the bowl of dhaka and uludbhani.
seventh
The morning of Saptami brings a special greatness of Durga Puja. This morning is in the morningnewsletter bath— Nine types of sacred trees are bathed in Ganga water and brought to the pujamandap as a symbol of the goddess. is then to bevitality, i.e., Prana is formally established in the image of the goddess. From this moment the main worship begins. Devotees flock to the temple or pandal in the morning garlands with flowers in their hands, there is a prayer in their hearts – may the mother bless everyone. The morning of Saptami is not only a ritual, but a sacred beginning full of Bengali emotions.
eighth
Ashtami is said to be the most sacred and important day of Durga Puja. On this day, thousands of devotees get up early in the morning and offer Anjali at their mother’s feet, praying for peace and well-being from their hearts. One of the special rituals of Ashtami is Kumari Puja—a daughter is worshiped as a goddess as a symbol of power, creating a moment of unique emotion. And in the evening Sandhi Puja is celebrated, which is celebrated on the occasion of Ashtami and Navami. This puja commemorates the glorious story of the demonic destruction of the goddess Chamunda. Around then, the rhythm of incense, lamp and lid is filled with a different feeling of energy.
ninety he triumph tenth
The main rituals of Durga Puja are almost at an end through Navami Puja and Home. Then comes the emotional tenth, the day mother has to say goodbye with tears. It is on this day that ‘Sindoor Khel’ – married women wear vermilion on their mother’s sinthi, and then themselves apply vermilion to each other and enjoy the colors of the festival. This is like the farewell of sadness on the one hand, the bond of joy on the other. Then ‘Vijaya’ begins – relatives, friends and neighbors go to the house and greet with bows, blessings and sweets. In this way, the festival of Durga Puja ends with the tone of love and harmony even in the midst of sadness.
Various rituals and customs of Durga Puja
Enlightenment he Invitation
Goddess Bodhan is a very important and emotional moment of Durga Puja. Usually it happens on the branches of the sacred belgach, which is worshiped as a symbol of the goddess. During Bodhan, Vedic mantras are chanted, the sound of conch shells and dhaka is chanted all around, and the atmosphere is resounding with Dhunuchi dance. The mandap is decorated with lights, and the eyes and faces of the devotees are filled with a strange joy and excitement of waiting. This ritual is basically a symbol of awakening the soul of the goddess, as if Mother descends from heaven and prevails among her devotees in mortals.
Virgin Worship
According to this ritual, a teenage girl is worshiped as a living goddess—she is called a ‘virgin’. This little girl is honored as a symbol of Goddess Durga’s strength, her feet are blessed by touching her feet. This Kumari Puja is very popular especially in Belur Math and is celebrated with great devotion and solemnity. The atmosphere of that day is different – silent respect, the atmosphere of devotion and a different feeling, which brings tears to the eyes and peace of the heart.
evening worship
Sandhi Puja is held at that juncture between Ashtami and Navami—a very solemn and powerful moment. According to Puranas, it was during this time that Goddess Chandi killed two terrible demons named Chandi Chanda and Munda. This puja is celebrated in the greatness of that victory. The roar of the lid, the light of the lamp, the smell of incense and the chanting of chanting create a strong devotion around it – as if the mother herself has come down to destroy the evil. Sandhipuja is therefore not just a ritual, it is a deep symbol of strength, courage and respect for the victory of truth.
Abandonment
The day of Dasami comes the time of the awaited but heartbreaking farewell. Goddess Durga is immersed in the Ganges, which is the symbol—ma is now in Kailash, going back to her abode. The last sound of the dhaka, tears in the eyes, saying goodbye in a trembling voice – all in all, the procession of abandonment becomes very emotional. Pratima floats in the Ganga and disappears and only one word is in the mouth of the devotees –”Coming Year Again will be”the As if there is a light of hope even in the midst of farewell, the promise to get the mother back again.
Durga Puja The role of idol making and craftsmen
pottery he pottery
Just hearing the name Kumortuli in Kolkata reminds me of the smell of clay and the mastery of art. The potters here have been making idols of Goddess Durga for generations to make the famous idols in this area. Clay idols, bamboo structures, colors, ornaments—everything is made by hand, everything has the artist’s perfect touch and utmost care. An idol is made not only by the quality of the hand but also by the love and devotion of the heart. At the root of Durga Puja, these artists of Kumortuli are an invisible yet essential part.
Fetish manufacture Stage
- Structure made with bamboo
- Shaping the shape of the straw and cloth
- forming the soil
- painted and painted dry
- eyeball
Durga Puja idols and decorations
Goddess Durga’s ornaments have an immense beauty and a deep meaning. Golden colored fringes, sparkling silk sarees, paper flowers, metal crowns and various weapons – all in all, the dress of the goddess is like a miracle. But they are not only for beauty—every ornament, each element is actually a symbol of a power. In the crown there is the glory of rule, in the weapon there is a message of fight against evil. This form of the goddess teaches us—behind the beauty lies a powerful message of courage, power and blessings.
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Durga Puja (Durga Puja) pavilion and lighting
Durga Puja Theme based pavilion
Currently theme based pooja is very popular. Theme is based on history, society, mythology, scientific thought and even cinema.
Lighting he design
Chandni lights, digital animation, moving photographs—all in all, Kolkata became the city of light at night.
Durga Puja Famous Kolkata Pandal
- Bagbazar is universal
- Suruchi Sangh
- patriotic park
- College Square
Durga worshipful Culture he Entertainment
dance, Song he Play
During the puja, music performances, Dhunuchi dances and dramas are performed in the mandap. Rabindra Sangeet, classical and modern songs are played throughout the mandap.
Fashion he gamblingamp
Bengali puja fashion is also significant. New clothes, traditional sarees, Kurta-Punjabi—all are part of fashion.
FAQs (General Q&A)
১. দুর্গা পূজা কোথা থেকে শুরু হয়?
প্রাচীনকালে রাজশাহি ও নদিয়ার জমিদাররা দুর্গা পূজা শুরু করেন। পরবর্তীতে সর্বজনীন রূপ নেয় কলকাতায়।
২. দুর্গা পূজা কয়দিন ধরে চলে?
মোট ৫ দিন—ষষ্ঠী থেকে দশমী পর্যন্ত।
৩. মহালয়া কী?
মহালয়া হল পিতৃপক্ষের সমাপ্তি এবং দেবীপক্ষের সূচনা। এদিন দেবীর আগমন বার্তা পাওয়া যায়।
৪. দুর্গা পূজায় কুমারী পূজা কেন করা হয়?
এটি দেবী দুর্গার কুমারী রূপের পূজা। এটি নারী শক্তির সম্মান ও পূজার অঙ্গ।
৫. থিম ভিত্তিক পূজার উদ্দেশ্য কী?
মানবিক বার্তা, সামাজিক ভাবনা এবং সৃষ্টিশীলতা ফুটিয়ে তুলতে থিম পূজার প্রচলন।
৬. দুর্গা বিসর্জনের সময় কী বলা হয়?
“আসছে বছর আবার হবে”—এই শ্লোগানে আবেগঘন বিদায় জানানো হয় দেবীকে।
Conclusion
Durga Puja (Durga Puja) Not just a religious festival—it is a symbol of Bengali self-identity, culture and union. In these few days, the whole society is bound in one tune – this feeling of sharing joy, getting to each other, and creating something new is truly unique.
Durga Puja today (Durga Puja) It is not limited to the four walls of the evil but is reaching the touch of technology beyond the borders of the country and abroad. Starting from environmental awareness, social messages are coming up in the idea of the theme. Even on the international stage, Bengali Durga Puja has taken its place with pride today. This festival is therefore a reflection of a living culture moving forward in the flow of time.