Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal Kolkata, the city of Joy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is a gateway to eastern India. The former British capital of India is a colorful palette of art and architecture, museums, temples, football clubs, Coffee houses, lip-smacking street food along with plethora of cultural festivals. It is a place where you will be able to see a unique blend of old and modern culture. The city of joy Kolkata is known for its liveliness and rich culture and heritage. The city of Kolkata comes alive in the Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal.
Being the most prominent festival of Kolkata, Durga Puja is the soul and pride of West Bengal. Every year in Kolkata the festival of Durga Puja brings great enthusiasm, joyous moments and a chance to get together with families and friends in the most amazing manner like never before. Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal is never celebrated in the same manner every year.
The theme of the Durga Puja Pandals change along with the design of the idol of Goddess Durga. In some parts of India, it is celebrated for 6 days while in other parts it is celebrated for 10 days but the charm of Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal never fades. In West Bengal, you will witness the best of Durga Puja Festival because it is the main cultural festival of Bengalis. The festival of Durga Puja showcases the rich culture and heritage of West Bengal.
Durga Puja Festival is around the corner. So, it is the best time to plan a trip to Kolkata in advance to enjoy the best of this grand Festival. This blog’s useful insights will help you to plan your trip to Kolkata to enjoy and dive deep into the spiritual realm and cultural whirlwind of Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal.
Highlights
- Durga Puja celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
- Durga Puja is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu calendar, which typically falls between September and October, Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal.
- This festival is widely celebrated in West Bengal and other eastern Indian states like Assam, Tripura, and Odisha.
- The first day of Durga Puja is Mahalaya which marks the arrival of the goddess Durga on earth.
- The last day of Durga Puja is Dashami which is said to be the day when Durga achieved her victory over Mahishasura and returned to her husband Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal.
What is the Festival of Durga Puja?
According to the Hindu Mythology, Goddess Durga emerged from the collective energy of all the Kings and Gods (devas) as an embodiment of Shakti or divine feminine power, to destroy demon Mahishasura; who was blessed to not be defeated by any man or god. The name Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal in Sanskrit means ‘the impenetrable’; she exists in a state of self-sufficiency and in ultimate power. This powerful form of Mother Goddess is highly revered in Kolkata which is why her return is celebrated with much grandeur and ceremonies.
If you are in Kolkata during Durga Pooja, these are the popular features of the grand celebrations, you shouldn’t miss out on. The preparations for the festival are as fascinating as the festival itself. A week prior to the festival, the city gears up and can be seen wearing a look of eagerness and excitement as it prepares itself to welcome the Goddess home Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal.
How is Durga Puja celebrated?
The way in which the festival of Durga Puja is celebrated is quite similar to that of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival. People in Kolkata start preparing 7 days prior to the festival. The town appears lively and full of colorful clothes, decor items, etc. People get dressed in new and bright colored clothes for the festival. Though the preparations start quite early to the festival, major rituals take place starting from the day of Mahalaya when the eyes of the idols of Goddess Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal are painted. This ritual is known as Chokkhu Daan in the local context. It is often said that the goddess descends on the earth at the time of this ritual.
Maha Shasthi
The first day of Durga Puja (Shasthi), the beautifully painted idols of Goddess Durga are brought into homes or pandals. Then, they are embellished with flowers, clothes, red vermilion, jewelry, etc. Sweets are also kept in front of the idol as an offering. The idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva are also kept on the stage Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal.
Maha Saptami
Next following day (Maha Saptami), a small banana plant known as Kala Bou is carried away to a river for a bath and is dressed in a bright red colored saree. Then it is brought back in a procession to be established near the idol of Goddess Durga. It is done to invoke the presence of the Goddess Durga into the idol. The ritual is called Pran Pratisthan. People perform rituals and prayers (puja) for the remaining duration of the festival.
Several types of cultural activities also take place. People unify to sing traditional songs, dance and perform plays. During the following days, the goddess is worshipped in her different forms – Kumari (goddess of fertility), Mai (mother), Ajima (grandmother) and Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal.
Vijaya Dashami
Last day the final day of Durga Puja (Vijaya Dashami), the idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped and made offerings to. Devotees gather in large numbers to bid farewell to the goddess. People perform a farewell ceremony, i.e. Aarti on the last day. Afterward, the idols are carried away to the water bodies in an elaborate street procession, in which people sing and dance. The procession is initiated by women, Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal especially married ones, who smear red vermilion on the idol of the goddess and later to other ladies of the group. It is believed to symbolize fertility and marriage.
Later on, the idols of the Goddess Durga are immersed in water. It is said that Goddess Durga gained victory over the buffalo devil on this day and established peace in the world. People pray to the goddess for bringing peace and happiness to their lives and bid adieu to her. It is believed that the goddess returns to her home with her husband Lord Shiva. On the occasion of Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal, people distribute gifts and sweets among their friends and relatives.