If you’re from Kolkata, perhaps you know the cultural significance of Durga Puja. Even if you’re not, the importance of the day is not unfamiliar to us. If you haven’t experienced this night of mystical aura and beauty, then have some patience till you finish reading this blog.
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In this single blog post, you’re going to walk down the Durga Puja Pandals without leaving your place. If this post doesn’t compel you from within to visit the Durga Puja festival this year, I don’t know what will.
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Scroll down to get your heart stolen by the great spectacle of Durga Puja festival in India…
Durga- The symbol of impregnable strength and valour. She is one of the most beautiful, expressive and formidable woman warrior goddess of Hindu mythology. Her story glorifies the victory of truth over evil. She impersonates as Mahishasurmardini to slay the malevolent buffalo demon who challenged the stability of the cosmos. Putting her fierce warrior face aside, she is also praised as a mother of all, who’s protecting her children from the evil powers and misery.
She is not like the prototypical Hindu woman, who’s submissive and too fragile to stand for her rights. She is the role reversal instead. She stands for her right, raises her voice against the injustice to oppose the stereotypes of Hindu society.
What could be the better way to sing the glories to the Modern Indian Woman!
The preparation for the festival start a couple of days earlier. Right from carving the idols of Durga to painting them, this usually takes half a month. The idols are generally prepared from earth, straw, wooden batons and paint. Carving the idols of Durga is still the kingdom of men!
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Also Read: Top 7 Places in India to Enjoy the Festival of Dussehra
Pandals or the temporary cloth structures are erected to accommodate the social gathering on the day. Only the imagination of the artist can contain the expanse and creativity of a Pandal. You can see myriad colours and structures in Pandals. The Kalamandalam is splendid enough to leave you awe-struck for days!
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Just as the pages of calendar turn to October, the whole city of Kolkata is clad in festivities. The statues of Durga and her four children are established in the Pandals.
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In our Hindu mythology, these gods are not only an entity. They represent the abstract manifestation of our ideologies. These ideologies remain constant even with the ever-changing world.
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All the famous artistes around the country come to showcase their devotion and talent.
The continuous 5-days festival inhabits the colour, sound, beauty, joy and solidarity altogether. Countless of Pandal-hoppers swarm the city at this time of the year.
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The grand carnival of Durga Puja is also a time for expanding business. You can see hundreds of billboards in the city.
The irony of fact lies here; the major rituals of the ceremony are still ruled by the male bastion. Though, women also play a crucial role in setting up the establishment.
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The young women are the centre of the attraction of the ceremony. They dance to the tunes of ‘Dhaki’ and express their pleasure.
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And the last day arrives. It’s time to bid farewell to Goddess Durga. One last time, people express their devotion and love towards the goddess.
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The most famous ‘Sindur Khela’ ceremony takes place during the farewell of Godess Durga. ‘Baran’ and ‘Sindur Khel’ is characteristic of women folk.
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The final act of this grand festival is the idol immersion ceremony which is typically known as ‘Bisarjan’. The journey is accompanied by devotees dancing and singing along with the idols.
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Durga Puja and women are inseparable. And true it, Goddess Durga and women, both make the festival worthwhile!
