durga puja not just a festival, it is about celebrating life…

Durga Puja is a festival that brings people together across India. The fun, food and the fervor that Durga Puja brings is something that can’t be replicated. All Indian Cities, especially the cities in the East India, turn into a beautiful dreamland of joy and togetherness.

Bengalis also addressed as “bongs” are crazy about Durga Puja. As a Bengali I believe that ‘Durga Puja is more than a festival and there are ample reasons to be crazy about it. Though the reason might differ from person to person, however Durga Puja is a celebration for everyone.

Durga Puja starts from the sixth day (Shashti) of Navratri and ends on the tenth day (Dashami). Durga Puja is celebrated as a way of worshipping Durga, a Hindu goddess who is the form of Shakti. It was on this day that Durga is said to have killed the demon Mahishasura. But more important than all that was the fact that Durga was coming home. The actual event starts from the Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Durga Puja festivities. Mahalaya is the day when the goddess Durga is believed to have descended to Earth. Her children were coming to their mother’s home, their ‘mamar bari’. Today, the festival is celebrated with songs and dances, fasting followed by feasts, elaborate decorations, and pujas or grand ceremonies at temples and religious recitals. Perhaps one of the best things about Durga Puja is the ‘bhog’ that is served to the disciples.

Then comes dhaak and dhunuchi dance. This is just not a ritual dance; it is more of a merriment. As a part of everyday aarti, men and women perform dhunuchi naach creating an ambience of celebration and sheer happiness. Adults and kids alike can be seen dancing with the perfect rhythm and enthusiasm which is almost infectious.

Undoubtedly the most emotional moment for all in Durga Puja is bhashan or immersion when every Bong bid adieu to maa Durga and chant ‘asche bochor abar hobe’, which means ma Durga will visit us next year as well. Dashami or the tenth day is marked with a ceremony known as ‘shindur khela’ (playing with sindur) where married women apply vermilion to each other’s faces as also to Goddess Durga dressed in the traditional Bengali attire.

Eagerly waiting to enjoy and celebrate the word ‘life’ during the next Durga Puja.