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Durga puja is a festival for which
every true Bengali waits all year long. Celebrated by giving
gifts, attending puja pandals and having festive meals together,
Durga puja holds a special place in every Bengali’s heart.
About Maa Durga : Durga literally
means she who is difficult to reach in Sanskrit. Goddess Durga
is worshipped as a form of Shakti or energy. She represents the
infinite energy of the universe and is a symbol of undying
dynamism. Goddess Durga is also popularly called by other names
like Parvati, Ambika and Kali. She is known as the wife of Lord
Shiva and mother of Ganesha, Karttikeya and daughters Lakshmi
and Saraswati. |
Her appearance
In pictures and idols Goddess Durga is usually seen having 10 hands
holding a sword, conch, discus, rosary, bell, wine cup, shield, bow,
arrow and a spear. She is seen riding a lion. She is mostly dressed a
blood red sari and wears many ornaments. She wears a crown too on her
glorious head.
As the legend goes… Goddess Durga was forced to arrive when monster
demon Mahishasur gained strength and started troubling Gods and people
alike. The Gods were afraid of this demon because neither Lord Vishnu
nor Shiva could defeat him. It was Maa Durga’s energy that could alone
defeat Mahishasur.
Goddess Durga sat on a lion and conquered and killed the demon and
restored peace in heaven that was robbed ever since Mahishasur gained
strength. Since then Durga Maa is invoked to celebrate her victory over
evil.
The revered Goddess
Goddess Durga has been worshipped from 400 AD. Her literary references
date back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata and her name is also mentioned
in the ancient puranas. In general, Maa Durga is worshipped in North
India as the gentle bride symbolising family unity while in South India
she is worshipped for the warrior in her.
Celebrating the festival
Durga puja begins with recitation and listening of Mahalaya. Thousands
gather to offer prayers to their ancestors at the city's river. Special
pre dawn chanting is rendered to mark the beginning of the three-day
celebrations. The celebratory mood builds up as Dhakis (drummers) beat
drums in a rhythmic manner.
The main puja is for three days - Mahasaptami, Mahaastami, Mahanavami.
Priests chant mantras, shlokas and artis are sung. Hundreds of people
line up before the decorated crowded pandals. Along with pujas even
recreational songs and dances are organised. People sit together and
have huge lunches and dinners and interact with other members of the
community. Though in the 1600s this was a festival meant for the rich
zamindars (landlords) Durga puja has now become a community festival.
People forget the differences of caste and class when they assemble to
seek divine blessings. After the three days of puja, on Dashami, a
tearful farewell is bid to the revered Goddess.
Thus Durga puja is undoubtedly the largest festival celebrated in
Bengal.
Author: Ms Coutinho
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