Durga Pujo

A five day long grand celebration which is the amalgamation of religion, art, culture, cuisines, traditions and Bengali heritage. A magnificent observance of happiness! Bengalis wait and plan all year round for this five-days-event of impressive festivities. Durga Puja also known as Durgotsav is an annual Hindu festival which reveres and pays homage to goddess Durga. As most non-Bengalis celebrate Navaratri (nine nights), the last five days of Shasthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami are particularly important and accordingly celebrated with much splendor by Bangalis, Assamese and people of Odissa.

• Shasthi -- On Sashthi or the sixth day, the idol of Goddess Durga is placed at the Puja site coinciding with the descent of the divine mother on earth. Adivash Puja is performed in the evening accompanied by devotional hymns at the pandal. Sashthi essentially means that the festivities of Durga Puja have commenced all over. On this day, the face of the goddess is uncovered which is followed by rituals such as Amontron, Bodhon and Adibash with the rhythmic beating of the Dhaak.

• Saptami – On Maha Saptami, which marks the beginning of the puja, a banana tree is immersed in sacred water at dawn and adorned with a sari popularly known as "Kola Bou" or "Nabapatrika". The Kola Bou is then carried to the stage and placed next to the idol of Ganesha. A total of nine plants are also venerated which represent the different forms of Goddess Durga. The Goddess is worshiped with the chanting of hymns from sacred texts.

• Ashtami – On Ashtami or the eighth day, the Goddess is worshiped in her childhood form in the form of Kumari Puja. Adolescent girls are dressed up as the Goddess and worshiped. As per the legends, Maha Ashtami is the day when Maa Durga slew the buffalo devil "Mahishasura". At the cusp of Ashtami and Navami tithi, Shondhi puja is performed wherein 108 oil lamps are lighted before the deities.

• Navami – Maha Navami, considered the most auspicious day, begins with the end of the Sandhi Puja and completed with the execution of "Maha Aarti". There is a “Mahayagna” in the morning after which Anjali is given. Earlier, Prasad was distributed only on Navami but in recent times the practice has changed and prasad is distributed on Shaptami, Ashtami and Navami as well.

• Dashami – Durga Puja ends on Dashami or the tenth day. After worshiping the deity in the morning, there is a ritual of Devi Boron which is followed by Sindoor Khela by all the married ladies of the community, In the evening Devi Durga and her family is taken to the river bank or sea shore for immersion. With heavy hearts but smiling faces and dancing feat, we bid adieu to Devi Durga.

• Bijoya Sanmelani -- Bijoya or victory of Ma Durga is celebrated right after the immersion of the idols keeping aside the sadness due to the end of the prime celebration. People wish each other "Subho Bijoya" with the hope of a better year ahead. A grand supper/dinner is organised for the volunteers in the evening.