Durga Puja, the most happening festival of the Bengalis that can be sensed with its gush of fanfare on all the four days of the Durga Puja festival (celebrated nine days in Kolkata). This autumnal festival is popularly known as Sharodotsav, reminds us about the power of female Shakti symbolized by the Goddess Durga who slaughters asura to reestablish peace and sanctity on earth again. Bengalis all over the world during these days of Durga Puja rejoice to their heart's content reconnecting with friends and relatives.In Kolkata more than two thousand pandals are set up, all clamouring for the admiration and praise of the populace. The city is adorned with lights. People from all over the country visit the city at this time.
Durga Puja is celebrated every year in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October). The first grand worship of Goddess Durga in recorded history is said to have been celebrated in the late 1500s which was initiated by the landlords of Dinajpur and Malda. The traditional icon of the goddess worshiped during the Durga Puja is in line with the iconography depicted in the scriptures. In Durga, the Gods bestowed their powers to co-create a beautiful goddess with ten arms, each carrying their most lethal weapon. The tableau of Durga also features her four children Kartikeya, Ganesha, Saraswati and Lakshmi.
Durga Puja is the worship of 'Shakti' or the divine power. It is the fight between the evil and the good, the dark forces eventually succumbing to the divine. Durga arrives on earth with four different powers essential for the existence of a state. These are, the powers of knowledge representing intellectuals, chivalry indicating soldiers, wealth denoting businessmen and physical strength representing both agricultural and industrial workers. These four powers are represented by Sarswati, the Goddess of purity and knowledge, Kartikaya, the God of celibacy and chivalry, Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and business and Ganesha, the God of physical strength and workers.
As we know the last 5 days of durga puja is celebrated with utmost excitement, we should also know about the importance of these days.
Sasthi: It is the sixth day of the moon when Goddess Durga is welcomed with much fanfare and gusto. The 'Bodhon' rituals take place when Goddess Durga is unveiled.
Saptami: It features the first day of Durga puja; commencement of rituals; predawn bathing of ' Kola Bow '.
Ashtami: Most important day of Durga Puja; celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasur; devotees recite the mantras and offer flowers to Devi Durga and take her blessings;
Sandhi puja (108 'Dip' lighted): It is the end of Ashtami and the beginning of Navami is the time for Sandhi Puja.
Dashami: It is the day when Goddess Durga accompanies her children sets for Kailash, her husband's abode.
"Sindur Khela" (Vermillion game)-
"Sindur Khela" is a major event of Dashami. Married women apply vermilion to each other and greet each other with sweets. It is in the evening when Goddess Durga is immersed. Bengalis greet each other with bijoya greetings and men follow the customary 'Kolakuli' (embrace each other).
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