Durga Puja
Durga puja is just a remarkably popular festival of Indian that is celebrated in several areas of the country. During this 9 days celebration, goddess Durga is worshiped. The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated all around the country, it’s celebrated in a special way in the eastern states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam and Tripura. Various types of pandals (makeshift structures) are created during this festival. The statues of goddess Durga beautifully decorated in these pandals. Various devotional songs and and religious dance competitions are held in these pandals by which Arti dance competition is the absolute most popular. Special festival dishes, devotional songs and decorations would be the vital part of this festival. This festival reflects the victory of good on the evil force. Durga Puja usually falls in the month of September/October. Mahishasura Mardini
Legends
Based on the Hindu mythology, demon Mahishasur was creating problems for the gods and their king. Then Indra requested holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to save lots of them from demon. They consequently sought divine help of mother Durga, who fitted with lethal weapons and riding on ruthless lion, killed demon Mahishasur. So, Durga puja is just a true celebration of the victory of good on the evil. This festival celebrates life, tradition and culture values of India.
Durga Puja is arrived with the Mahalaya that will be actually the first phase of crescent moon in Ashwin (according to the Hindu calendar). On this very day the devotees gets up early each morning and prays to the goddess Durga. The people use to believe to begin to see the facial expression of Goddess Durga in the still water which is called Tarpan. Durga Puja Date
After the celebration of Mahalaya seven days after the puja gets started which is called Mahashasthi. This Mahasasthi follows Mahasaptami, Mahaasthami, Mahanavami and puja eventually ends up with Vijaydashmi.
Attraction and Celebration
The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated in all around the country on a great scale. The major attraction in the festival could be the cultural programs like Jatra, folk dances, songs shankh competition are conducted by the neighborhood puja communities. The grand feast can be organized for the people. The ritual of animal sacrifice can be performed by which Buffalo sacrifice is performed on your day of Mahaashtami. Every pendal community organizes the feast including Khichdi, Payasam, Mix Vegetables, Roshogulla and Chutney.
New gleaming clothes, smiling faces, dancing devotees, chantings of Mantras, amazing display of lights and the rhythmic beat of dhak (drums) all become the element of grand Durga puja celebration. On the tenth day of the festival that is Vijay Dashami (tenth day), the idol of goddess Durga is immersed in the river or pond with full customary rituals. This marks the conclusion of this majestic festival.