Durga Puja Festival | History, Rituals, Dates 2024
Durga Puja. This festival, celebrated by over 130 million people across India, marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. But beyond the mythological significance, Durga Puja is a time for family reunions, cultural performances, and culinary delights.
Are you looking to immerse yourself in the festivities or understand the deeper cultural nuances of this iconic celebration? Our blog will guide you through the history, rituals, and modern-day trends of Durga Puja, offering insights that will enrich your experience.
This Hindu festival occurs all over the globe, especially in West Bengal, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Orissa, Delhi, Pune, etc. Even abroad, New York, Japan, London, Durga Puja in Australia, New Jersey, Switzerland, the UK, Durga Puja Pandals in South Kolkata and Bangladesh have grand Durga Puja celebrations.
Durga Puja is the only Indian festival recognized and included on UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage List. It’s a proud moment for every person living in West Bengal and Bengalis Worldwide. People from all over the globe travel to India to celebrate this occasion.
Durga Puja Festival
Durga Puja Sanskrit Mantra in Bengali
Why goddess Durga is worshipped?
Devi Durga is worshipped in Navratri because it’s believed she killed the monster Mahishasura after ten days and a night war. Although, as per the mythology, she has ten arms with different weapons, people warship Durga to relieve the monster Mahisasura.
Goddess Durga is worshipped for the whole five days of this festival. The trust is, by worshipping Devi Durga maa for happiness, prosperity, destruction of darkness, and removal of bad power. The Navaratri is celebrated on the night of Navami.
How was goddess Durga created?
According to mythology, Maa Durga was born to defeat the evil demon Mahishasur. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva created the goddess Durga with ten arms. It’s believed that Goddess Durga emerged from the Ganga river and was given a physical form by all the gods.
The male divinities derived goddess Durga using the source of their inner power, and she embodies collective energy. Maa Durga is the daughter of Himalaya and Mena, who married Lord Shiva.
Why is Goddess Durga worshipped in Autumn?
Durga puja is a festival celebrated in autumn, and according to the lunar calendar, it takes place in October. According to the legends, Lord Ram took the blessing of goddess Durga in autumn before defeating Ravana, and he offered her 108 lotus flowers.
To test his devotion, the goddess Durga hid one flower. When Lord Ram couldn’t find that flower, he was ready to sacrifice his eyes. The goddess Durga appeared before him, satisfied by his devotion, and blessed him. We know this legend as Akal Bodhan.
14 Durga Puja Rituals
Durga Puja, the famous Bengali festival, is celebrated annually through several rituals.
- Khuti Puja
- Mahalaya
- Chokkhu Daan Ritual at Mahalaya
- Bodhon at Sasthi
- Maha Saptami Nabapatrika Snan
- Pran Pratishtha at Maha Saptami
- Ashtami Durga Puja Pushpanjali
- Kumari Puja
- Homa and Bhog during Durga puja
- Ashtami Sandhi Puja
- Maha Navami Dhunuchi Nach
- Navaratri
- Sindur Khela
- Durga Puja Visarjan
1. Khuti Puja
Nowadays, puja clubs start Durga puja with Khuti puja after revealing the “Puja theme.” This ritual is very new and happens approximately one month before the Durga puja. Also, shopping starts these days. Places Like Hatibagan, Gariahat, esplanade, etc., are crowded for purchasing fashionable dresses.
2. Mahalaya
The invocation of Goddess Durga through Chandipath and this day is known as Mahalaya. It’s the start day of Durga Puja. The meaning of Mahalaya is ‘Ananda Niketan.’ Although Durga Puja is a five-day ceremony, the festival starts with the Mahalaya, by the voice of “Birendra Krishna Bhadra” and ends with Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
3. Chokkhu Daan Ritual at Mahalaya
Chokkhu Daan is a special ritual performed on Mahalaya. Sculptors work day and night to carve the idol of the goddess Durga. On Mahalaya, artisans offer eyes to the idol, and a senior artisan from the entire community performs this ritual at a predetermined time.
4. Bodhon at Sasthi
Goddess Durga is awakened before the start of Durga Puja, and this ritual is known as Bodhan or Akal Bodhan. On the evening of Maha Sasthi, all Pandals perform Devi Durga’s Bodhon.
5. Maha Saptami Nabapatrika Snan and Arati
The seventh day of Durga Puja, or Maha Saptami, begins with the ritual of Kola Bou (Lord Ganesha’s wife) or “Nabapatrika Snan.” Conventionally, farmers worship Nabapatrika to improve crop production. At present, Nabapatrika Puja is held alongside Durga Puja.
6. Pran Pratishtha at Maha Saptami
Pran Pratistha is a ritual that consecrates the idol of the goddess Durga. Sacred mantras are recited before opening the eyes of the idol. During Durga puja, the worshipper chants “jaago, tumi jaago” along with the prayers of Mahalaya. It’s believed that through Pran Pratistha, life comes into the idol of the goddess Durga. This ritual happens in Saptami.
7. Ashtami Durga Puja Pushpanjali
The tradition of Pushpanjali in Maha Ashtami morning is very ancient among the Bengalis. First, the priest gives the ‘bel leaves’ and fresh flowers to Pushpanjali. Then, the followers recite the mantra three times with the priest and give it at the feet of Devi Durga. The same ritual happened in Sasthi, Saptami day too.Astami anjali and Puja
8. Kumari Puja
According to Hindu scriptures, women are considered to be the destruction of negative energy.
The primary reason for Kumari Puja
According to Hindu scriptures, to kill Ravana by Rama- Brahma came to our world for Debi’s awakening at the gods’ request. In a secluded place, he saw a Kumari girl. Brahma praised the little girl as Jagat Janani Mahamaya.
In that hymn of Brahma, the newborn wakes up and is worshipped as Debi, who promised to keep his word to the gods. Since then, Kumari girls have been worshipped as Debi in Durga puja.
The age limit of Kumari puja girl
All girls between the ages of one and sixteen can be worshipped as Kumari.
Ramakrishna Mission Kumari Puja
In 1909, on Durga Puja Maha Ashtami, the ritual of Kumari Puja was started at Belur Math, as written in the Hindu Purana. At present, Kumari Puja Vidhi is organized in many Ramakrishna missions.
In 1898, Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita were in Kashmir during Bharat Bhraman. On Durga Puja Maha Ashtami, they worshipped a four-year-old Muslim girl in Kashmir as a Kumari.
9. Homa and Bhog during Durga puja
On the ninth day of the puja, a trained priest conducts the ‘homa’ at a scheduled time. During the five days of puja, we offer a variety of foods to goddess Durga.
The Bhog prepared comprises traditional Bengali cuisine. Many vegetarian dishes are cooked, offered to the goddess, and later distributed among the devotees as Prasad.
Dishes like khichuri or khichdi, Chorchori, Beguni or Begun Bhaja, Dhokar Daalna, Papad Vaja, chutney, Payesh or Bengali Chaler Payesh, Mishti Doi or Roshogolla is famous. Many Puja Organisers also offer Luchi, Pulao or Basanti Pulao, labra, Alur dom, Cholar dal, aloo Phulkopir Dalna, chanar Dalna, Sandesh, etc.
10. Ashtami Sandhi Puja
Sandhi Puja occurs at the juncture of Durga Puja, Maha Ashtami, and Maha Navami. Ma Durga took Debi Chamunda to kill the two generals of Mahishasura- Chand and Mund. Therefore, this time of the advent of Devi Chamunda is considered Sandhi Puja. It is customary to light 108 lamps during Pujo.
11. Maha Navami Dhunuchi Nach
Dhunuchi is a standard earthen pot that contains incense, burnt-dried coconut powder, and aromatic ingredients. Both men and women take the Dhunuchi and dance in front of Ma Durga.
The “Dhunchi dance” is held on the evening of Maha Navami and is beautifully presented in the best Durga Puja committees of Kolkata.
12. Navaratri
Navratri starts at Mahalaya or the first day of Debipaksha. Krishna paksha ends with Mahalaya, and Debipaksha begins. Every autumn, Navratri is celebrated from Prothoma to Maha Navami.
According to Hindu mythology, Ma Durga fought the demons for nine days. Finally, on the tenth day (Bijoya Dashmi), Ma Durga killed Mahishasur and won the battle. Thus, the goddess Durga is worshipped in nine forms.
Day 1: Maa Shailputri
Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini
Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta
Day 4: Maa Kushmanda
Day 5: Maa Skandmata
Day 6: Maa Katyayani
Day 7: Maa tomorrow night
Day 8: Maa Mahagauri
Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri
Read Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar
13. Sindur Khela
Durga puja has many rituals, and Sindur Khela is one of the most ancient traditions/rituals. According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Durga left her father’s house and returned to Kailasa.
During Departure, Hindu married women touched Sindur to Devi Durga’s forehead and feet. All the married women put Sindur on each other’s faces, along with Shankha, pala, Noa, Coral, and an Iron bangle, and wished each other well. This ritual is called the Sindur Khela.
14. Durga Puja Visarjan
On the tenth day, Mother Durga returns to Kailash. In Bengali culture, Durga is the daughter of the family. When the girl of the house returns home, everyone’s eyes are wide with joy.
So Vijaya Dashami is the day of farewell with those wet eyes. Thousand of ‘Dhaki’ play Dhak music around the puja processions, and the immersion starts in the Hooghly / Ganga river.
In Calcutta, idols are abandoned at all the ghats, including Babughat, Nimtala Ghat, Bagbazar Ghat, Baje Kadamtala Ghat, and Rani Rasmoni Ghat.
And all the security measures are taken in all these ghats. Howrah Kolkata Ferry service is closed from most of the ghats. In the afternoon, the ghats became loud with the sound of drums. During grief, almost everyone says the same thing, “It will happen again next year.” (“আসছে বছর আবার হবে”)
Cranes, barges, and payloaders are provided at almost every dock for cleaning garbage. As soon as the Idol floated in the Ganges, the crane lifted it. The structure was then moved elsewhere by truck.
Large drums are placed at each ghat to drop flowers, bel leaves, and garlands. In addition, a Watch Tower is built to monitor the ghats.
In addition, there are disaster response forces, divers, and Kolata municipal workers. Each ghat has adequate porters. The coolies unload the Idol from the truck and take it to the ghat.
Decorations, Sculptures, and Stages of Durga Puja
The visitors’ major attractions are the Durga puja’s Pandal design and decorations. From the moment of entry until before departure, the pandals are decorated with colorful illuminations, chandeliers, bamboo, colorful clothes, pieces of glass, etc. The club authorities allocated plenty of money for this decoration.
Creating an idol of the goddess Durga using clay collected from different regions is a formal process. Artisans pray to God Ganesha and then make bamboo frames for the sculpture.
Collecting soil from ‘Nishiddho Pallis’ (red light area) is a tradition to prepare the idol. A combination of clay, hay, and bamboo prepares the idol cast. The head is prepared separately and later attached to the other parts.
The sculpture is hand-painted, dressed in clothing, and decorated with jewels and ornaments. The artisans display the final idol at the puja pandals. Vishvakarma Sashtra comprises the procedure and the proportion of ingredients required to make the idol.
Pandals and theme-based Durga Puja
The Durga puja pandals were simple before. Nowadays, theme-centric puja pandal ideas are becoming popular. Members of communities and clubs collect donations and hire artisans to build theme-based pandals.
Themes like “womanhood,” “celebration of humanity,” “celebration of cinema,” etc., were popular. Some pandals replicated the existing monuments, temples, and structures. There is intense competition among clubs, and the best even wins prizes.
In 2015, Deshapriya Park stunned everybody with its 88-foot-tall idol of goddess Durga. Newspapers reported that it attracted more than a million visitors that year.
Durga Puja Shopping
Online shops like Flipkart and Amazon sell a wide range of products in Kolkata these days. Street shopping in Kolkata is also fantastic. Food giants like Uber Eats, Zomato, and Swiggy did well this festive season. Nowadays, Kolkata is covered with ads, banners, lighting, etc. A few puja pandals organize photography competitions, too.
Esplanade, Hatibagan, and Gariahat markets are the most crowded places for offline shopping.
Durga puja pandal themes are based on:
- Current circumstances,
- Science-based,
- Educational, or
- Antiques- culture, monuments, sculptures, etc.
Club committees hire famous artists 8 to 9 months before the start of next year’s Durga Puja to prepare their themes.
Theme-based competitions:
Recently, Theme-based competitions have also started among the well-known puja committee.
Kumartuli – The Idol-Making HUB
Every year, I visit Kumartuli before Durga Puja. Kumartuli murti, or idols, are famous all over West Bengal. Various types of idols are made by hand only, and they don’t use machines. It can be a memorable experience for anybody. They are experts in building all kinds of Devi murtis and Durga maa.
The Red Road Carnival Kolkata
The red road immersion ceremony featured eye-catching lighting processions. The state government conducted the procession after the traditional Bisarjan finish in Dashami.
About 100 of Kolkata’s best puja committees participate in this carnival. All puja processions gather on the red road and start their procession. Finally, when they reach Babughat, they visarjan the Durga Idol.
Read How Many Days Left For Durga Puja
Kolkata Red Road Durga Puja Carnival Date
Durga Puja Carnival is going to be held on October 15, 2024.
Durga Puja Dates 2024
| Days | Dates |
| Mahalaya | 2nd of October 2024 |
| Maha Shashti | 9th October 2024 |
| Maha Saptami | 10th October 2024 |
| Maha Ashtami | 11th October 2024 |
| Maha Navami | 12th October 2024 |
| Maha Dashmi | 13th October 2024 |
List of South North Central Durga Puja in Kolkata
Zamidar / Bonedi barir Durga puja
Zamindar / Bonedi barir Durga Puja in Kolkata is still reminiscent of the culture and tradition of monarchical Bengal. This puja is celebrated in the Bengal household. Some pujas even date back to the time before Calcutta existed. You witness close family bonding and traditional customs and rituals there. The famous Bonedi Bari Durga puja in Kolkata are:
- Atchala Durga: Sabarna Roy Chowdhury.
- Jagat Ram Mukherjee Durga Puja: Behala.
- Roy Family Durga puja: Behala.
- Bhukailash Rajbari.
- Raj Bari Durga puja: Sovabazar.
The main ritual of their puja is
- The eldest daughter of their family will say to Maa Durga, “Asche Bochor Abar Esho Ma.”
- Trinayani Maa Durga is worshipped in the Zamindar Bari of Daker Saaj, wearing a red and white saree with gold jewelry.
- It covers the outer part with Chala, where the images of the story of rural Bengal emerge.
Visitors enter:
Visitors are allowed to enter the premises and enjoy the puja. However, they are not allowed at the puja stage.
Famous Zamidar/Bonedi barir list
- Sovabazar Rajbari
- Maharaja Nabakrishna Deb’s Palace
- Chatu Babu and Latu Babu Bari
- Rani Rashmoni Bari
- Bhawanipur Mallick Bari
Conclusion
Durga puja is celebrated yearly with many joyous preparations to honor Goddess Durga, especially in Kolkata. However, Durga Puja in Mumbai, Bangalore, Orisa, and Delhi have the same charm. Due to its cultural aspect, Durga Puja is on the UNESCO cultural heritage list.