“PICTURE COURTESY- Hinduism.about.com”
‘YA DEVI SARVA BHUTESU, SHAKTI RUPENA SAMSTHITA.’ Kolkata has turned itself for the most happening celebration for Bengalis is Durga puja, which takes place during the autumn season in September or October. Kolkata is very popular for its colorful and attractive Pandals as well as beautiful and adorable statutes of goddess Durga that recalls the divine power of female Shakti. The idols are kept in the temporary temples for five days and worshipped leading to the procession to a river for the immersion representing her reunion with God Shiva.
Looking back in the history, the first grand worship of nine enchanting forms of ten-armed goddess Durga with her lion was done in the late 1500’s. Since then this ceremonial worship has been brought up as a custom. Especially the last four days of Durga Puja which is Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami lightens up the streets of Kolkata with grandeur.
The nine days of Navratras, which includes prayers and some unique changes, brought up by some worshippers as an opportunity of self-improvement. Some devotees engage themselves in a routine of not at all consuming cereals as well as non-vegetarian foods on these holy festivals.
When taken an interview, Sudeshna banarjee (a housewife) says “I prefer eating vegetarian food during the Puja” she smiled and added “since my kids can’t resist for many days without non-veg, so there is a lot of effort from my side to put up some new recipes and prepare some delicious and tasty vegetarian food”
“Picture courtesy- durgapuja.funmunch.com”
Durga Puja also reminds us of the gender sensitization as well as it shows the same respect to the female folks of our society. Keeping this in mind at the end of the Navratras, some sweets and presents are offered to the small and underprivileged girls, which is the most emotional and touching part of the occasion.
In an interview with Ratul Sen (a student)
Interviewer: - “Tell us something about Kanya puja?”
Interviewee: - “On the ninth day of Navratri my mother invites nine young girls, their feet are washed as a mark of respect and new clothes are offered as gifts as they are considered to be the purest. They are also made to sit on the special pedestal and they are served with home-made luchi, sobji and mishti.”
There are thousands of Pandals made of bamboos, clothes, plastics, plaster of Paris and many more items. These unique Pandals compete with each other; some stand themselves with their captivating decorations and innovative themes. Bagbazar is one of the famous and the oldest Pandals in Kolkata, which has been in existence since time, giving more importance to the simplicity, and emphasizing the culture and tradition. Devotees throng the street of Kolkata to watch the social, cultural, and the most religious festival celebrated in Bengal. Rich as well as poor buy the best of the clothing.
“Picture courtesy-hinduism.about.com”
This festive occurrence is very spectacular as it brings us closer to our very own traditional culture as there is a fear of getting it washed away due to the arrival of the western band music lately. Especially the younger generation gets more of the knowledge about the heritage as well as the folklore. There are many clubs in Kolkata, which organizes events like Dandiya nights where the participation is up to the brim. This not only exposes the culture and tradition but it also brings all the friends, family, and relatives together with the magical bond of love and care.
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