Durga Puja

In the lunar month of Ashvin Bengalis celebrate Durga Puja. As per Gregorian calendar it is the months of September – October. This is a yearly festival which every Bengali waits for. It is more than worship of the deity Durga and her entire family. It is actually an emotional journey for Bengalis.

The inaugural ceremony starts with Mahalaya whence mother Durga is invited to Martyalok or the world of mortal humans to come with her family and reside for a few days. While her husband Lord Shiva does not accompany her but keeps an eye on how she is treated by her devotees. Mother goddess pays a visit with her four siblings – Lakshmi ( Goddess of riches), Saraswati ( Goddess of learning), Ganesha ( God of the people) and the warrior God Kartik.

Goddess Durga, apart from the motherly persona, is also Mahishasuramardini, the killer of the asur or demon named Mahishasur symbolizing victory over evil and celebration of all that is good.

On the cusp of the right (Ashtami) and ninth (Navami) day Mother Durga finally killed Mahishasur after a deadly fight. To symbolise the victory of goodness over evil Sandhi Puja is performed which ends with a Bali or sacrifice. In earlier times animal sacrifice was the ritual which has been illegalized and substituted by sacrifice of a vegetable.

The Puja or Worship begins on the sixth day ( Shashthi) and ends on the tenth day (Dashami) with the immersion of the Goddess in waters. Earlier it used to be in big rivers. Nowadays, as per Government Order, the Pujja Committee has to make their own arrangements for immersion to avoid polluting the rivers. Saying goodbye to mother is tearful but also with a promise that she will again cone the next year.

Durga Puja celebration is marked by joy and revelry. It’s like the homecoming of a daughter to her mother’s home with all her children. It is an ocassion for community gathering, reuniting with friends and relatives, eating a lot sweetmeats and special cuisines specific to the ocassion and flaunting fashion and new clothes, singing and dancing.

After the Puja is over we greet each other “Shubho Bijoya” and the rejoicing with family and friends and sharing of delicacies continue for a fortnight till Deepawali, the Festival of Lights.

So Shubho Bijoya to all of you with loads of happiness and prosperity and peace.