Bengalis have a common phrase that says “Bangalir baro mashe tero parbon”, this means Bengalis celebrate 13 festivals in 12 months. It proves the enthusiasm that they have, to celebrate festivals and occasions. But the most significant festival that they await is nothing but “Durga Puja”. The festival generally falls in either month of September or October. The pomp and grandeur with which Durga Puja is celebrated in Bengal matches no other. It is possibly the only festival that stretches on for a span of five days, beginning from Sashti and then continuing on to Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and finally it ends with the immersion of Goddess Durga into water or better known as “Bhasan” on the day of Dashami.
Durga Puja is celebrated during the last five days of Navratri which generally falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin. It is one of the main festivals of West Bengal celebrated by Bengali communities all over the world. Durga puja is regarded as one of the biggest social events in India. Today it is celebrated not only as a religious festival but it has a cultural and social significance as everybody irrespective of any caste, creed or religion takes part in its celebration. People from all religious backgrounds participate in it. It is celebrated as a secular festival.
Durga Puja brings a gust of fresh air into the lives of hardworking Bengalis. Due to globalization, the celebration of Durga Puja has spread to foreign countries where Bengali have settled. They set up a community and enjoy these five days with full zeal in the pandal. Even they follow all the customs and rituals of Durga Puja. Such is the essence of puja that spreads worldwide so uphold the spirit of Durga Puja and send gifts to India to enthrall everyone.
Durga Puja is widely celebrated in the Bengali culture. Durga Puja is widely celebrated in the Indian states of Assam, Mithila (ancient) region of Nepal and Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Odisha, Tripura, Meghalaya, and West Bengal, where it is a five-day annual holiday. In both West Bengal and Tripura, which have a majority of Bengali Hindus, it is the biggest festival of the year. In Assam due to the presence of a huge number of Bengali Hindus and quite a large number of Assamese Hindus of the Shakta sect of Hinduism. Apart from these states, the popularity of this festival spans worldwide with Indian communities celebrating them as far as the UK, USA, Australia, etc. Pandal Hopping, dressing up gorgeously, dhunuchi dance, sindoor khela, sondhi puja, and bhasan all are notable events of this festival.
If you are planning to visit Kolkata and wondering about things to do during Durga Pujas, you can check the article for the same. The festival begins with Mahalaya which is called “Pitripokkher obosan” and “Debipokkher shuru”. People offer prayers or “tarpan” to the Ganges to honor their expired ancestors on this day. After one week the festival begins full-fledged. Entire Kolkata is covered up with huge lighting, and within short distances, several Durga puja pandals are spread. Crowds of people come out on the roads to see the Goddess and her children in different pandals. The whole of West Bengal seems to look like a dream. The five days people enjoy to their heart’s content with their near and dear ones. The state declares a holiday for the four days of Pujas, which adds to the fun and frolic. The custom is that people wear new outfits on these days wear new shoes and participate in the Puja. There are no restrictions on the Puja days eating out, nights out with friends and family, or normal hanging out for long hours everything is permitted.
