A Guide to the Celebration of Durga Puja in Bengal

 

“Pujor Bansi Bajje Dure,
Maa Aschen Bochor Ghure”

(A Happy and Welcoming Sound of Flute is being heard from far as it is the time for Maa Durga [Devi Durga] to visit us after a year round)  - Anonymous (collected)

These above lines are the perfect words to describe the feelings of all the people of West Bengal as it is time for the arrival of Devi Durga after a year-long wait. The sound of Flute in the above lines actually depicts the feeling at the heart of every Bengalis when they realize that the time of their mother-goddess’s “Devi Durga” arrival has come. With her arrival there will be celebration, fun and togetherness among friends and family. In other words there will be a great homecoming for not only Devi Durga but also of the families, relatives and friends who (stay away from each other in different locations, both within the country and outside) gather to greet each other and spend time with each other. This celebration, Durga Puja is thus, a six days festival of gaiety and grandeur that takes place in every part of West Bengal and is a worth watching experience for any individual visiting India.

Before knowing more about what to experience in this celebration let’s know something about how this puja came into being?

The History

This religious event of Durga puja is one of the biggest celebration of the Hundu’s that happens in the month of Ashvin (Ashwin) – September - October. This Puja is celebrated to commemorate the goddess Durga’s victory over her battle against the asura named Mahishasura. According to the Hindu mythology, a demon was set out in pursue of war against the gods & Goddess Durga ultimately slay him & protect the earth. On the day of Maha Saptami She began her battle against the demon and finally slayed him on the day of Vijay Dashami. The very first Durga Puja was said to have started by the royal family of Malda, Dinajpur around 16th-century.

Devi Durga – The Depiction

Since the festival is all about celebrating the victory of the goddess over the demon named Mahishasura, the goddess is often viewed as “the destroyer of evil’. She is also depicted as the Protector of the Righteous’ to Hindu devotees. According to Swami Sivananda, a noted Hindu spiritual leader “Devi Durga is synonymous with Shakti or the Divine Power that manifests, sustains and transforms the universe as the one unifying Force of Existence…..”

                            

The Goddess and the Celebration

The grandest annual festival of Hindus, Durga Puja, is a multiple-day celebration. Actually the festival celebration commences from the day of the Mahalaya, which indicates the advent of the goddess. The Merriments and the worship then begin from Sasthi, the sixth day and continue till Dashami (the 10^th day). The main celebration and amusement however is carried out from the days of Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami & Vijay Dashami with much splendor across the state of West Bengal. On the day of Dashami the idol of goddess is immersed in water amid loud chants and drumbeats.

The goddess comes to visit earth from her heavenly abode with her two sons (Lord Ganesha and Karthik) and daughters (Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati). There is also another member; kola bou or banana wife, who is known to be the wife of Lord Ganesha. Though named Riddhi-Siddhi, she is depicted as a banana stem, wrapped in clothes, and thus the name “kola bou or banana wife”

The image of the idol comes as “astride a lion, attacking the demon king Mahishasura with 10 arms holding various deadly weapons, and with one son one daughter on the right and one son one daughter on the left. You will find Lord Shiva at the rear.

What to See?

Making of the Idol – Before watching the embellished idols there is nothing more interesting to watch how these idols are made and the best place to see these idols being made in Kolkata is “Kumartuli”. Very popular destination among the shutterbugs, Kumartuli can be a good pre-puja tour. While strolling through the narrow streets of Kumartuli, you will get to see lots of half made idols, clay & those hundreds of artists, making those idols.

Embellished Idols in Pandal – The main attraction of this festival, apart from the puja ceremony is the showcase of theme based Pandals (elaborately decorated bamboo structures and galleries) and idols of Devi Durga, in different parts of the state. It is assumed that there are more than 4 thousand Durga pandals are set up in different parts of Bengal. These Puja presentations are known as “Baroyari Puja” which has a bit commercial touch to it. The concept is that of a collaborative puja organized by different committees. The word “Baroyari” has a meaning; “Baro” means “twelve” and “Yari” means “friends”. The very first Baroyari puja was theorized in Hooghly around in the year 1790.

Visiting “Bonedi” Pujas – Just like “Baroyari” there is another approach of Durga Puja, called “Bonedi” Puja or Family organized pujas. These are simple and not theme based but no less in vigor, grandeur, enthusiasm, fun and enjoyment. It has a different feel and flavor of celebration and one cannot understand until they become a part of it or see it. These are the pujas organized by the aristocratic families of Bengal that carries the actual essence of Durga Puja.

The Immersion Procession – The last day that is “Dashami” the picture is no less great but in a different way. On this last day, it is said that Devi Durga goes back to her husband, Lord Shiva’s abode and this journey of the goddess is rejoiced in a special way by the married women. They offer red color vermillion powder to Devi Durga & her children & also coat themselves with it; this exhibits the significance of marriage, fertility & bearing of children. After this the idols are then immersion in huge processions to local rivers. Again, this is a spectacle in itself.

The Surrounding – All parts of West Bengal, especially the capital city of Kolkata gets drenched in lights. The streets, the houses and even the trees get lit up with lights; glowing beautifully, they add glitters and life to the city. In some places open fairs are held. This celebration is also a kind of theatrical event. You will see many drama, dance, and cultural performances, widely held in many of the Pandals. Bengalis love food and this is evident from numerous street food joints that blossom in the city streets during this time, serving people with mouthwatering dishes.

 

The Carnival – The recent addition to this extravaganza is the introduction of “the Durga Puja Carnival”. Introduced by the West Bengal Government, in the year 2016, the Durga Puja Carnival is an event where award-winning community pujas parades down and showcase their idols of Goddess Durga of the year’s Durga Puja Festivals, in a flamboyant show of fun and splendor. The event also present sights of Bengal's rich & prosperous art & sculptures and cultural traditions. According to news sources this event has got the attention of the UNESCO, who was planning to take part in the same in 2020. They even had thoughts of listing the event in its ‘List of Intangible Heritage’ 2020. However due to the outbreak of Covid – 19 pandemic there arises an uncertainty of the event

                        

Durga Puja 2020

One of the largest public celebrations in the world, a unique of its kind, Durga Puja in Bengal is all about celebrating the victory of Good over the evil amidst fun and joviality. In the year 2020 this celebration is about to fall in the month of October from 22^nd to 26^th.This year, with COVID-19 pandemic causing its devastation across the globe, without yet any calculable termination, many celebrations saw cancellations deferrals and postponements; though Durga Puja in Bengal might get a chance but the organizers will have to curb their celebratory arrangements to a great extent and greet the Goddess Durga in the simplest way possible; probably without the participation of visitors from different parts of India and abroad.

                 

We hope that by next year we could win over the disease and get back the glamour, dazzle and colorful avatar that describe the celebration of Durga or Durgautsav in Bengal. Be there then and witness one of the beautiful religious Ceremonies in India.

Stay Safe, Stay Protected!

Picture Credit: Google Image Search