Durga Puja, also referred to as Durgotsava, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated annually by the Bengali community, mostly those living in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Tripura and Jharkhand. The four-day festival is held over the last few days of Navratri, honouring Goddess Durga, who is believed to have come to the Earth to fight buffalo monster Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The festival signifies the return of the goddess with her children and her victory over Mahishasura.
When is Durga Puja 2024? Start and End Date
Durga Puja, which is normally held in October, is marked from the sixth to the tenth day of the brilliant lunar fortnight in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin. It is observed in conjunction with Navratri, a nine-day celebration. However, Durga Puja is a four-day event, with the most important and frequently observed being Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami.
According to Drik Panchang, Durga Puja starts on the seventh day (Saptami) which falls on October 9. Important rituals and celebrations take place from this day until the tenth day or October 12 when Durga Visarjan (the idol’s immersion) takes place.
Durga Puja 2024: Shubh Muhurat
Navpatrika Puja: Thursday, October 10
The Saptami Tithi begins on October 9, 2024, at 12:14 PM and ends on October 10, 2024, at 12:31 PM.
Durga Ashtami: Friday, October 11
The Ashtami Tithi begins on October 10, 2024, at 12:31 PM and ends on October 11, 2024, at 12:06 PM.
Maha Navami: Friday, October 11
The Navami Tithi begins on October 11, 2024, at 12:06 PM and ends on October 12, 2024, at 10:58 AM.
Bengal Maha Navami: Saturday, October 12
The Navami Tithi starts on October 11, 2024, at 12:06 PM and concludes on October 12, 2024, at 10:58 AM.
Durga Puja 2024: History And Significance
Durga Puja has its origin in ancient Indian scriptures. As per mythology, Mahishasura was a demon who was granted a blessing by Lord Brahma, which prevented him from being defeated by either a god or a human. As a result, he gained strength and greatly upset the gods in heaven.
In answer to the gods’ request for assistance, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva created Goddess Durga and gave her their greatest abilities to fight Mahishasura.
Mahishasura and Goddess Durga engaged in a fierce battle. The demon changed into a buffalo to take the upper hand. After 10 days of fighting, Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura in his original form and beheaded the buffalo to win the war.
This 10-day epic fight is essentially what the Durga Puja festival commemorates. The occasion also marks the visit of Goddess Durga and her children to her parental house. On the last day, known as Vijayadashami, people celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Durga Puja 2024: Celebration
Mahalaya, which signifies the start of Goddess Durga’s visit to the Earth, is the first occasion for celebrations.
The official celebrations, however, begin on Maha Sashthi, the sixth day, and are marked by the public unveiling of Durga’s idol to the delight of everybody, set to the lively melodies of ‘dhakis’ playing the ancient ‘dhak’ (drums), an integral part of Bengali customs.
The following day, Maha Saptami, starts early in the morning with the custom of submerging a banana tree in water to represent the transformation of the tree into the ‘Kola Bou’ (Banana Bride), who is then positioned next to Lord Ganesha while wearing a red-bordered saree.
Some people believe the ‘Kola Bou’ to be Ganesha’s bride, while others believe it to be a symbol of Goddess Durga or a holy grouping of nine plants that represent the goddess in her plant form.
The eighth day, Maha Ashtami, is significant because it marks Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. On this day, devotees perform ‘Anjali’ to offer prayers and partake in festive dishes like khichdi.
The next day, Maha Navami starts with the ‘Sandhi Puja’ and ends with the spectacular ‘Maha Aarti’, which attracts a whole lot of people.
The tenth day, Maha Dashami, marks the end of the celebrations with the Visarjan ceremony, which involves submerging the idols of Durga and other deities in the Ganges River. Married women participate in Sindoor Khela, putting vermilion on each other’s faces, before this immersion.
Durga Puja comes to an end with processions and celebrations. It is customary to visit family members and wish them a happy Bijoya Dashami.
Durga Puja 2024: Rituals
- Bengalis celebrate these special days by worshipping Mahishasur Mardini, a manifestation of Goddess Durga.
- Devotees cook a variety of foods and present bhog prasad to Maa Durga, Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthik, among other deities, during ceremonial and puja performances.
- On the final day of Durga Visarjan, married women perform Sindoor Khela, following a grand celebration of the festival marked by immense grandeur and excitement.
- They initially present the goddess Durga with vermillion. After that, the women apply vermillion to fellow married women and the elders bestow upon them the blessings of a long and prosperous life.
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