Durga Puja, or the annual celebration of Hindu goddess Durga, is one of India’s grandest festivals. It is a multiple-day celebration varying from 6 days in some parts of the country to 10 days in others. In most of Northern India the festival is celebrated as Navratri (nine nights).
Regardless of these variations, the last four days of Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijay Dashami, are particularly important and accordingly celebrated with much splendor around the country.
Origin and History
The first grand worship of Goddess Durga in recorded history is said to have been celebrated in the late 1500s. Folklores say the landlords, or zamindar, of Dinajpur and Malda initiated the first Durga Puja in Bengal. According to another source, Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur or Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya organized the first Sharadiya or Autumn Durga Puja in Bengal in c. 1606.
The origin of the community puja can be credited to the twelve friends of Guptipara in Hoogly, West Bengal, who collaborated and collected contributions from local residents to conduct the first community puja called the 'baro-yaari' puja, or the 'twelve-pal' puja, in 1790. The baro-yaari puja was brought to Kolkata in 1832 by Raja Harinath of Cossimbazar, who performed the Durga Puja at his ancestral home in Murshidabad from 1824 to 1831, notes Somendra Chandra Nandy in 'Durga Puja: A Rational Approach' published in The Statesman Festival, 1991.
"The baro-yaari puja gave way to the sarbajanin or community puja in 1910, when the Sanatan Dharmotsahini Sabha organized the first truly community puja in Baghbazar in Kolkata with full public contribution, public control, and public participation. Now the dominant mode of Bengali Durga Puja is the 'public' version," write M. D. Muthukumaraswamy and Molly Kaushal in Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society. The institution of the community Durga Puja in the 18th and the 19th century Bengal contributed vigorously to the development of Hindu Bengali culture.Origin and History
The first grand worship of Goddess Durga in recorded history is said to have been celebrated in the late 1500s. Folklores say the landlords, or zamindar, of Dinajpur and Malda initiated the first Durga Puja in Bengal. According to another source, Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur or Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya organized the first Sharadiya or Autumn Durga Puja in Bengal in c. 1606.
The origin of the community puja can be credited to the twelve friends of Guptipara in Hoogly, West Bengal, who collaborated and collected contributions from local residents to conduct the first community puja called the 'baro-yaari' puja, or the 'twelve-pal' puja, in 1790. The baro-yaari puja was brought to Kolkata in 1832 by Raja Harinath of Cossimbazar, who performed the Durga Puja at his ancestral home in Murshidabad from 1824 to 1831, notes Somendra Chandra Nandy in 'Durga Puja: A Rational Approach' published in The Statesman Festival, 1991.
"The baro-yaari puja gave way to the sarbajanin or community puja in 1910, when the Sanatan Dharmotsahini Sabha organized the first truly community puja in Baghbazar in Kolkata with full public contribution, public control, and public participation. Now the dominant mode of Bengali Durga Puja is the 'public' version," write M. D. Muthukumaraswamy and Molly Kaushal in Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society. The institution of the community Durga Puja in the 18th and the 19th century Bengal contributed vigorously to the development of Hindu Bengali culture.
The Birth of the Goddess
Goddess Durga was created to combat the evil demon Mahishasura. The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came together to create a powerful female form with ten arms.
When Durga emerged from the waters of the holy Ganga as a spirit, she was given a physical form by all the gods put together. Her face was created by Lord Shiva and her torso crafted by Indra. Her breasts were made by Chandra and her teeth by Brahma. The lower part of her body was made by Bhudevi, Varuna sculpted her thighs and knees, and Agni created the Goddess’s eyes. Thus she was a supreme power created with a combination of the powers of all the other gods. So was born Goddess Durga or ‘Mahamaya’, the Great Mother of the Universe, who ensures creation, preservation and destruction of evil forces in the universe.
Then the Gods gifted her their individual blessings and weapons. Armed like a warrior, the goddess rode into battle on a lion. The word ‘Durga’ in Sanskrit means a fort, or a secure and protected place. Another name for Durga is Durgatinashini which means ‘the one who eliminates suffering’. Her name thus indicates her role as the one who protects her devotees and removes evil from the world.
She began her battle against the demon on the seventh day of Navratri, known as Maha Saptami and slayed him by the final day of Vijay Dashami. Durga Puja’s first day is Mahalaya, which heralds the advent of the goddess. Celebrations and worship begin on Sasthi, the sixth day. During the following three days, the goddess is worshipped in her various forms as Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati. The celebrations end with Vijaya Dashami (“Tenth Day of Victory” ), when, amid loud chants and drumbeats, idols are carried in huge processions to local rivers, where they are immersed. That custom is symbolic of the departure of the deity to her home and to her husband, Shiva, in the Himalayas.
The preparations for the Puja start on Pratipada, the first day of the waxing moon. An earthern pitcher filled with Ganga water, its mouth covered with green mango leaves, is installed with great ceremony and with an invocation to Ganesh, the God of Beginnings. Then the goddess Durga is invoked, and worshipped with flowers, leaves, durva grass, newly harvested grain, and earthenware lamps or diyas. Barley seeds are planted in little pots. An earthenware lamp is kept burning in front of the pitcher during the remaining nine days of the Puja.
On Panchami, the fifth day, the invocation, or Bodhan, of the goddess begins. On Sasthi, the sixth day of the waxing moon, the image of the goddess Durga is installed in the pandals with great ceremony. The eyes of the image are painted on, signifying that the goddess is ‘alive’, or that divinity has entered the image. Now the Pujas begin in earnest: Bodhan is complete, the drums of the dhakis start beating, and the festivities commence. From Saptami, the seventh day, the actual worship of the goddess begins. People wear new clothes and visit the puja pandals. The next day, Maha-ashthami, the eight day of the waxing moon, a goat is sacrificed to Durga. This is symbolic of the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the goddess. Some sects, like the Ramakrishna Mission, hold a kanya puja on this day: little girls held to represent the goddess herself, are given gifts and served a ceremonial and lavish meal. The ninth day, Mahanavami, is the most sacred. On this day the goddess is closest to the people.
It is believed that Durga visits her parents Haimavat (the Himalayas) and Maina during the ten days of the autumn Puja. Dashami (or Bijoya) the tenth day of the waxing moon, is the day when she must return to Mt. Kailash, the abode of her husband, Shiva. At midday, the goddess’s hairparting is adorned with sindoor, the sign of marriage that most Bengali Hindu women wear, and she is sent on her way to Kailash. This is symbolised by the visarjan or bhasan, the ceremonial immersion of the goddess’s image in the river: the image is taken in festive procession down to the river, and with drumbeats and dancing is lowered into the water.
The many incarnations of Durga
There are numerous incarnations of Durga including Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Meenakshi and Kamakshi, among others. Durga is the incarnation as the all-powerful one with the combined power of all the divine beings.
The many arms and many weapons of Durga
Durga is depicted as having ten arms. These represent the ten directions in Hinduism; she protects her devotees in all directions. In each of her hands, the goddess wields a different weapon gifted by the gods for her to fight against evil beings such as Mahishasura. In one hand she holds the conch-shell gifted to her by Varuna, God of the Sea. In two other hands she holds the bow and the arrow given to her 104 by Vayu, the Wind God. In another hand she holds the thunderbolt of Indra, which can destroy anything it strikes without being affected. In yet another hand she holds the lotus, a symbol of spirituality and steadfastness. In another hand she holds the sudarshan chakra, or the discus of Vishnu, which can destroy evil forces no matter how powerful they are. In her other hands she carries a longsword, and Brahma’s kamandalu or a pot to carry holy water in. In her forearms she carries Shiva’s all-powerful trident which is the weapon that provides the final death blow to Mahishasura.
The many eyes of Durga
Like Shiva, Mother Durga is also referred to as Triyambake, meaning the three-eyed Goddess. The left eye represents desire and has the peace and calmness of the moon; the right eye represents action and holds the power of the sun; and the central eye is the all-knowing eye with the ability to burn with its power of fire.
The ‘vahana’ of the goddess
The Mother Goddess as a symbol of unrivalled power has one of the most impressive vahanas or vehicles. Often depicted as a lion or lioness, this animal is strength and power personified and the undisputed ruler of the jungle. The lion is thus the perfect vehicle for the awe-inspiring and all-powerful goddess. Durga stands on her lion in a fearless pose called the Abhaya Mudra or gesture of no fear, which is a sight that can fill any demon with utmost dread.
Evolution of the 'Pratima' and the 'Pandal'
The traditional icon of the goddess worshiped during the Durga Puja is in line with the iconography delineated in the scriptures. In Durga, the Gods bestowed their powers to co-create a beautiful goddess with ten arms, each carrying their most lethal weapon. The tableau of Durga also features her four children—Kartikeya, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. Traditional clay image of Durga, or pratima, made of clay with all five gods and goddesses under one structure is known as 'ek-chala' ('ek' = one, 'chala' = cover).
There are two kinds of embellishments that are used on clay—sholar saaj and daker saaj. In the former, the pratima is traditionally decorated with the white core of the shola reed which grows within marshlands. As the devotees grew wealthier, beaten silver (rangta) was used. The silver used to be imported from Germany and was delivered by post (dak). Hence the name daker saaj.
The huge temporary canopies—held by a framework of bamboo poles and draped with colorful fabric—that house the icons are called 'pandals.' Modern pandals are innovative, artistic and decorative at the same time, offering a visual spectacle for the numerous visitors who go 'pandal-hopping' during the four days of Durga Puja.
How is Durga Puja Celebrated?
Durga Puja is celebrated through many different events. If you visit India at this time, you will see people gathering together to talk and eat some delicious Bengali treats. You will also see statues of Durga that are contained in large buildings decorated in many different themes.
Celebrations
The Pandals or displays of the goddess Durga have always been the center attraction of this festival. Every year, based on chosen themes, many structures are designed and erected throughout the city to hold statues of Durga. Each neighborhood competes against another to make the best pandal.
Food is also a major feature of Durga Puja. From street food to special Bengali dishes and local cuisines, this festival is foodie heaven. Famous Bengali desserts like Misti Doi, Sondesh, and Rashgulla are some must-tries.
The festival is also often celebrated with large gatherings of family and friends. Bengalis will spend time with their loved ones engaging in long adda sessions which is a meeting full of discussions and intellectual exchanges. These sessions allow them to take a break from their hectic schedules and
Day 1 – Mahalaya
The celebrations of Durga Puja begin on Mahalaya. During this day, people prepare for the arrival of the goddess along with her family members including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kartikeya.
On Mahalaya, an auspicious ritual called Chokkhu Daan is performed. This is when the eyes are painted on the statues of Durga. It is believed the goddess descends to earth during the ritual.
Day 2-5 – Days of honoring
People honor the memory of the Divine goddess and her manifestations by performing traditional rituals for gods such as Kumari (the goddess of fertility), Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth), Mai (mother), and Ajima (grandmother). Traditional mantras, chants, and offerings can be observed during these days.
Day 6 – Shasti
The sixth day is when the celebrations really get started. On this day, Durga is worshipped and adorned with weapons that were gifted to her by different gods to kill for the purpose of killing Mahishasura
The idols of Durga are brought home or placed in magnificently decorated public pandals then decorated with flowers, clothes, jewelry, red vermillion, and various kinds of sweets.
The Pandals or displays of the goddess Durga have always been the center attraction of this festival. Every year, based on chosen themes, many structures are designed and erected throughout the city to hold statues of Durga. Each neighborhood competes against another to make the best pandal.
Food is also a major feature of Durga Puja. From street food to special Bengali dishes and local cuisines, this festival is foodie heaven. Famous Bengali desserts like Misti Doi, Sondesh, and Rashgulla are some must-tries.
The festival is also often celebrated with large gatherings of family and friends. Bengalis will spend time with their loved ones engaging in long adda sessions which is a meeting full of discussions and intellectual exchanges. These sessions allow them to take a break from their hectic schedules and
Day 1 – Mahalaya
The celebrations of Durga Puja begin on Mahalaya. During this day, people prepare for the arrival of the goddess along with her family members including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kartikeya.
On Mahalaya, an auspicious ritual called Chokkhu Daan is performed. This is when the eyes are painted on the statues of Durga. It is believed the goddess descends to earth during the ritual.
Day 2-5 – Days of honoring
People honor the memory of the Divine goddess and her manifestations by performing traditional rituals for gods such as Kumari (the goddess of fertility), Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth), Mai (mother), and Ajima (grandmother). Traditional mantras, chants, and offerings can be observed during these days.
Day 6 – Shasti
The sixth day is when the celebrations really get started. On this day, Durga is worshipped and adorned with weapons that were gifted to her by different gods to kill for the purpose of killing Mahishasura
The idols of Durga are brought home or placed in magnificently decorated public pandals then decorated with flowers, clothes, jewelry, red vermillion, and various kinds of sweets.
Day 7 – Saptami
On Saptami, a ritual called Pran Pratisthan is performed to invoke the Goddess’ holy presence into the idols. It involves a small banana plant called a Kola Bou which is bathed in a nearby river, dressed in a sari, and used to transport the goddess's energy.
Day 8 – Ashtami
Ashtami is considered to be the most important day of the festival. Pujas or prayers are offered on this day to prepare the goddess for her battle against Mahishasura.The offerings on this day are as grand as the occasion itself. They include 108 lotus flowers, 108 earthen oil lamps, fruit, hibiscus flowers, saris, uncooked grains, jewelry, and a crown of 108 Bel leaves.
Day 9 – Navami
Navami marks the final day of the long-drawn battle between Durga and Mahishasura. To celebrate this day, people offer prayers to the goddess and worship her as Mahishasuramardini or the slayer of the buffalo demon.
A ritual called Kumari Puja is performed, where little girls wear jewelry and make-up to resemble the goddess. They also receive offerings in the form of food, clothes, and other gifts.
Day 10 – Vijayadashami
On the last day of the festival, Durga gained victory over Mahishasura and restored balance on the. She returns to her husband and the statutes of Durga are carried to the Ganges to be submerged.
Married women get together to bid farewell to Durga by giving offerings of red vermillion powder and smearing themselves with it. This symbolizes the status of being married as well as fertility.
Durga Puja in Kolkata, West Bengal
Durga Puja is the biggest and most important occasion of the year in Kolkata. You can find thousands of displays of the Goddess Durga in this city alone, the most popular ones being located in north and south Kolkata.
Huge processions carry colorful statues of Durga through the streets to the sound of the drums and chants. Elaborate rituals are performed for the goddess and holy food, or prasad, is distributed to the worshippers after being offered to Durga.
Traditional dishes like khichuri ( rice with roasted lentils and vegetables), luchi (a deep fried flatbread made from maida flour), and ilish bhapa (fish steamed in a delicious mustard gravy) are served in most eateries.
Durga Puja is a great event for travelers to experience in Kolkata because if allows visitors to see a variety of art such as movies, paintings, and literature. One of the most popular ways to celebrate this festival as a traveler is to visit the ornately decorated pandals.
Tips for Experiencing Durga Puja
Pandal hopping is the best activity to do during Durga Puja. Although the most popular time is at night when they are lit up, we recommend you go Pandal hopping in the morning to avoid the crowds and heat.
Pandal hopping involves walking long stretches of road and spending lots of time standing in queues. Make sure to wear comfortable footwear if you want to participate.
Aside from comfortable footwear, you should also wear comfortable clothing. Breathable clothes with minimum accessories are the best choice.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Durga-Puja
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/the-history-of-the-durga-puja-festival/
https://www.learnreligions.com/the-history-and-origin-of-durga-puja-1770159
https://www.longlongtimeago.com/once-upon-a-time/the-spirit-of-festivals/durga-puja/
https://www.asiahighlights.com/india/durga-puja
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/the-history-of-the-durga-puja-festival/
https://www.learnreligions.com/the-history-and-origin-of-durga-puja-1770159
https://www.longlongtimeago.com/once-upon-a-time/the-spirit-of-festivals/durga-puja/
https://www.asiahighlights.com/india/durga-puja
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