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| CelebrationsinWorld » Festivals of India » Durga Puja |
Durga Puja |
| Durga Puja is especially celebrated in West Bengal, Assam and Bihar around September – October. It coincides with the celebrations of Sharad Navratri and is a grand affair of 10 days. The last 5 days are most significant to the celebrations of the Durga Puja and people rejoice themselves thoroughly on these days. Durga Puja marks the worshipping of goddess Shakti and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Legends are many that surround the festivities of Durga Puja. One popular myth holds it that these 10 days mark the yearly homecoming of mother Durga to her parental home. Thus each day of the 10 days have distinct features to make them special and unique to one another. |
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According to the Hindu mythology, goddess Durga came into the earth to rescue her devotees and worshippers from the turmoil of the demon king Mahisasura. And thus this very image of the deity is worshipped during the Durga Puja.
In Bengal the celebrations can be witnessed in its highest form with every corner of the state being decorated as a bride. Numerous Puja Pandals are set up in every locality and colony and visitors and devotees throng to these pandals throughout the day.
Besides the idol of Durga mounting on a lion, there are several other idols also placed in the pandals depicting Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Karthik and many more, all belonging to the hindu mythology. The central focus of the pandals lies in worshipping the deity. |
There are also numerous other activities and cultural shows that take place here and they too equally attract people in huge numbers. The last five days beginning from ‘Shasthi’ to ‘Saptami’, ‘Ashtami’, Navami and Dashami are all celebrated with great fervor.
The last day of the Durga Puja is known as the Vijaya Dashami. On this day the deity is worshipped before immersing the idols in water. Grand processions are taken out while the idols are taken to be immersed in the holy waters and later sweets are distributed among friends and family.
Durga Puja is a great time for the coming together of the extended family as well as meeting friends and relatives. It is one of the most looked forward to occasion in the Indian states that celebrate the occasion.
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