Durga Puja holds great significance for Indian households, particularly those residing in West Bengal, Bihar, Orisha, Assam, Jharkhand, and Tripura. To make sure you perform the Puja properly, you can take the help of professional UP Hindi North Indian Pandit in Bangalore.
What Happens in Durga Puja?
Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava, is an annual festival celebrated to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga. It commemorates the victory of the goddess over the powerful buffalo demon, Mahishasura. This festival is widely celebrated throughout India, especially in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, among others.
In some parts of India, people link this festival with the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. You may know Ravana as the evil king of Lanka. People symbolize this by the burning and destructing the effigies of Ravana. The festival is a celebration of good over evil, and it is a time for people to come together, pray. Everyone come together to seek blessings for prosperity and happiness.
When Do People Celebrate Durga Puja?
Durga Puja is a Hindu festival that falls in the month of Ashvin according to the Hindu calendar. This corresponds to September or October in the Gregorian calendar. Ashvin is the seventh month of the Luni-Solar Hindu calendar, and it starts on the new moon day.
It follows the autumn equinox, which is the time or date at which the sun crosses the celestial equator. This results in equal day and night duration. Note that it occurs around 22nd September and 20th March each year.
Why Do Hindus celebrate Durga puja?
Durga Puja holds immense significance in various dimensions, including religious, social, and cultural aspects. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It reinforces the importance of charity and understanding the true purpose of life.
Why is Durga Pooja So Popular in Kolkata?
The first recorded instance of the grand worship of goddess Durga dates back to the year 1500. Then, the landlords and zamindars of Dinajpur and Malda used to organize it. It is now part of modern-day Kolkata in India.
People think that they did in Bengal in the year 1906. Community puja in Kolkata, West Bengal has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. The tradition began with a group of 12 friends from Gupitpara in Hoogly who initiated the first community puja known as Baro-Yaari Puja or 12 pal puja.
The group collected contributions from residents to organize the festival. Since then, the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata has gained widespread fame and popularity.
What Is the Proper Way to Celebrate Durga Puja at Home?
You can seek the advice of Professional Bihari Pandit in Bangalore to know more about performing the Durga Puja correctly.
The ritual of invoking Goddess Durga begins with Avahana, where people chants Durga mantras to call upon her. The next step is to offer flowers and cleanse her feet, followed by the offering of scented water through Abhisekham and a piece of clothing as Vastra.
Afterward, devotees offer Naivedya, which is food that people prepare as an offering. They prepare that along with Tamboola (betel leaves, betel nuts, and other condiments) and Dakshina (offering of money). In addition, people also perform Kanya or Kumari Puja, which is the worship of young girls. People also perform Book Puja to honor the knowledge and wisdom bestowed upon us.
Finally, Aarathi is performed, and the devotees seek forgiveness from Goddess Durga for mistakes that they may have made. This sacred ritual of invoking and worshiping Goddess Durga is a way to connect with her divine power and seek her blessings for a prosperous and fulfilling life.
