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Time Of Celebration
Durga puja is celebrated in the autumn months of September/October. According to the Hindu solar calendar, it falls on the first nine days of the month of Ashvin. It is the time of the year when the weather is at its moderate best giving the air a festive touch. Durga puja is the most favorite festival of the people of eastern India, especially the people of West Bengal. This festival is celebrated all over India, though with differing rituals, for nine days. It is also called Navratri in some parts of the country. |
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Celebration
It is the time of the Durga Puja, celebrating the ten-armed goddess of fertility and the third embodiment of the Devi, Durga. It was Durga who vanquished the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. The festivities start with the first day called Mahalaya. It is also the day of the beginning of the countdown to the Durga Puja, which is celebrated in most households apart from the gaily-decorated puja mandaps that are erected in almost every locality. It is a common belief that Ma Lakshmi brings peace and prosperity to the households that celebrate the puja. People strongly believe that if Ma Lakshmi becomes chanchala or unhappy with a certain household, she tries to leave the place, leaving the owner of the house in a financial mess. |
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The Five Days of the Durga Puja :
The five festive days of Durga Puja, welcoming Devi Durga is aplomb with rituals and accompanied with dhak, dhunuchi and shiuli. "Shiuli" (small scented flowers with cream petals and orange pedicle) and "Kaash" (flowers looking like the willows, that cover the horizon with a milky white appearance) are synonymous to the Durga Puja. Shiuli is a "must" part in the Devi-puja. The following are the days of the Devi-puja, discussed vividly.
Shashthi :
Shashti, the sixth day of the moon when Goddess Durga is welcomed with much fanfare and gusto. Look for the 'Bodhon' rituals when the face of the Durga is unveiled.
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Saptami :
Saptami features the first day of Durga puja; commencement of rituals; predawn bathing of 'Kola Bou'. On this day of Durga Puja, the Devi is worshipped in the form of Cosmic Knowledge - as Mahasaraswati.
Ashtami :
Most important day of Durga Puja; celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasur; devotees recite the mantras and offer flowers to Devi Durga (pushpanjali) and pray for her blessings; rituals of animal sacrifices; animals are now substituted with 'chalkumro' (type of pumpkin), cucumber and banana. On this day of Durga Puja, the Devi is worshipped in the form of Wealth, Sustenance, Good Luck and Prosperity - as Mahalakshmi.
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Nabami :
Last day of Durga Puja; commencement of 'Sandhi Puja'. Nabami Bhog - Goddess Durga is offered food ("bhog") which is later distributed among the devotees. On this day of Durga Puja, the Devi is worshipped in the form of the Forces of Destruction, and eventual Regeneration - as Mahalakshmi.
Sandhi Puja :
108 'pradeep' or earthen lamps are lighted. This is the time when Ashtami and Nabami tithis unite (Ashtami ends and Nabami begins). This is the time for Sandhi Puja. At this time Devi Durga transformed into Devi Camunda to kill "Chando" and "Mundo", the two generals of Mahishasura (the Buffalo Demon ). At this time, the Devi is worshipped with 108 lotuses.
Dashami :
Dashami is the day when Goddess Durga accompanied with her children sets for Kailash, her husband's abode. With a heavy heart the Bengalis immerse the clay idol of Durga in the sacred Ganges bidding her goodbye and earnestly waiting to see her again the next year. The immersion ceremony is called "Bishorjon".
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Bijoya Dashami - "Shubho Bijoya" :
The last day coincides with Dussehra. Idols are taken away in large processions for immersion in water. "Sindur Khela" (Vermillion game) is a major event of Dashami. First, the married women greet the Mahadevi for one last time, accompanied by rituals. They do aarati, but ready-to-chew paan-leaves in the hands of the goddess, put sweets on the lips of the idol, wipe out eyes as one does to wipe off the tears when leaving a loving place. This event is called "Durga Baran". They apply vermilion to the Goddess's head and to each other and greet each other with sweets.
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Before "Ma" leaves, married women of all age groups visit the nearby pandal to take part in an emotional ritual where vermilion (sindhoor khela), is applied to the parting of each other's hair. The loha (the metal and gold bracelet given to the bride by the mother-in-law) and pala/sannbha (the red and white bangles worn by many married Bengali women) are also touched up. Sindhoor is applied by the women and the priest on the forehead of the goddess. A mother-in-law gives an iron bangle interlaced with gold or silver to a new bride as the first gift, a token of suhag, which the daughter-in-law wears all her life. During Durga puja, when idols are being taken away for immersion, sindoor is taken from in front of the idols and applied to the parting in the hair by married women. What is left on the fingers is applied to this iron and gold (silver) bangle, and is known as touching the loha. The ritual of applying sindoor can also take place at home when Bijoya Dashami is celebrated with family members. |
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Men follow the customary 'Kolakuli' (embrace each other). The younger members do pronam (touching the feet) to the elders while the men do kolakuli (embrace). Sweets are prepared at home, but today most make do with sweets brought from the market. Savouries like nimki are often made at home to be distributed to friends, relatives and well-wishers. Durga Puja is a festival, Bengalis celebrate without religious inhibitions. It is more of a socio- cultural celebration that tends to renew kinship with friends and relatives.
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