About Durga Puja Festival
What comes to mind when you say Durga Puja? The summer season is about to end, the slight cool breeze in the morning gives the feeling that winter is going to start soon or later. The wind seems to be cooling down but due to the enthusiasm of the devotees, there is a feeling of joy in the whole atmosphere. Then with a thought it becomes clear that Durga Puja is coming.
"আসছে দুর্গাপূজা।"
We wait for Durga Maa the whole year, and when Maa comes, everyone`s mind gets filled with this atmosphere of happiness, joy, and devotion. Celebrated in month of September- October (Ashvin Mas), Durga Puja (Bangali-Pujo) as said most awaited festival in India, especially for Bengalis. Although this puja lasts for 10 days, from Mahalaya to Bishorjan, its last 5 days are important - Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami, these five days are celebrated with more gaiety and grandeur.
The festival is to humor the Goddess Durga for her blessings as also celebrate her victory over the demon Mahisasur. It is also believed that Lord Rama had worshipped the Goddess Durga to seek divine blessings before undertaking the battle against Ravana. Durga Puja is not just a puja but a festival for Bengalis. It is believed that Durga comes to her maternal home with her children, this made Durga puja in Bengal a family affair.
According to new scholars, the marginalization of Bengali Hindus during the medieval era led to a re-emphasis on Hindu identity and an emphasis on Durga Puja as a social festival, publicly celebrating the warrior goddess. From the medieval era till today, Durga Puja has been celebrated as a socio-cultural festival.
It is said that once upon time Durga Puja was celebrated by the zamindar of Maldah or Dinajpur. However, the first Durga Puja mentioned in recorded history was at Nadia around 1606.Kolkata probably got its first Durga Puja in 1610.It was1910, a Durga Puja was organized by the freedom fighters at Balram Bose Ghat Road in Calcutta. In that puja, the word ‘Sarbajanin’ had been used, which means universal. That was the first community
Durga Puja in Kolkata.
