Durga Puja 2023
The festival of Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals of Bharat. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in Hinduism, who is worshipped as the goddess of strength, courage and goodness. Durga Puja, which is celebrated with great pomp in India, has its origin in the worship of Maa Durga. It is celebrated with religious and cultural significance. The history of Durga Puja in Hindu religion is very old. It is celebrated as the worship and worship of Goddess Durga. The earliest mention of Durga Puja is found in Markandeya Purana. It is told in this Purana that Goddess Durga was created by the gods to protect her from demons. The gods worshiped Goddess Durga and blessed her to be victorious. This puja later came to be known as Durga Puja. Lord Rama killed Ravana on the tenth day of Durga Puja, hence the tenth day of Durga Puja is also considered as the day of Dussehra. People also celebrate this festival as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the evil Ravana. People celebrate this festival by burning big effigies of Ravana and burning firecrackers on the night of Dussehra.
How is this festival celebrated:
During, people worship the idol of Maa Durga, make pandals, sing songs, do charity, and enjoy food together with family and friends. There is a ritual of Navratri puja in this festival. In this puja, there is a ritual of ten days. On the day of Shuklapaksha Pratipada of Ashwin, Kalash is established, and the puja starts from the same day. Durga Saptashati is recited from Pratipada to Navami and puja is done on Dashami. This day of Vijayadashami is considered very auspicious. People enjoy dancing, singing, music and drama wholeheartedly. Everyone wears new clothes and goes to each other’s house and eats good food outside. Durga Puja is a very famous and sacred festival of Hindus. Durga Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in India and other parts around the world. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, who is worshiped as the goddess of strength, courage and goodness.
There are many ways to celebrate Durga Puja, but some of the most common ways are:
- Establishment of Pandals: During Durga Puja, temporary structures, known as pandals, are built to house the idols of Goddess Durga and her divine companions. These pandals are usually decorated with lights, flowers and artwork.
- Installation of the idol: Usually an idol of Goddess Durga made of clay is installed in the pandal. The idol represents the goddess and is adorned with traditional clothing, jewellery and accessories.
- Prayers and Prasad: Devotees worship Goddess Durga during the puja. They chant mantras, sing bhajans and perform aarti to seek the blessings of the goddess. Prasad like flowers, fruits, sweets and coconut are offered to the goddess.
- Cultural Performance: Durga Puja is not only a religious festival but also a celebration of art and culture. Cultural programs such as concerts, dance performances, dramas and recitations are organized in and around the pandals. These exhibits showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region.
- Dhunuchi Dance: Dhunuchi is a traditional dance performed during Durga Puja. It involves dancing with an earthen pot filled with burning incense sticks. The dance is accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums and traditional music.
- Sindoor Khela: On the last day of Durga Puja, married women participate in Sindoor Khela . They apply vermilion (sindoor) on each other’s forehead and playfully apply it on the idol of the goddess as a symbol of married life and fertility.
- Visarjan: On the last day of Durga Puja, the idol of Goddess Durga is taken in a procession and immersed in a water body, symbolizing her return to her divine abode. This procession, known as Visarjan, is accompanied by music, dance and enthusiastic devotees.
Some additional information:
- Durga Puja is usually celebrated for nine days, which falls during Navratri.
- The most important day of Durga Puja is Mahashtami, the day when Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura.
- The last day of Durga Puja is Vijayadashami, the day on which Goddess Durga is immersed.
Spiritual importance of the festival:
The spiritual significance of Durga Puja is the worship of Maa Durga and as a symbol of her power. This festival is important in Hindu religion as a form of great devotion and worship of Maa Durga.
- Durga Puja is usually celebrated for nine days, which falls during Navratri.
- The most important day of Durga Puja is Mahashtami, the day when Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura.
- The last day of Durga Puja is Vijayadashami, the day on which Goddess Durga is immersed.
Durga Puja has great importance in Hindu religion. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The festival also promotes the values of strength, courage and goodness.
Regions where it is celebrated: Durga Puja is majorly celebrated in the Indian state of West Bengal, but it is also celebrated in various forms in other regions of India.
Durga Puja is celebrated all over the country of India. But, this festival is especially popular in Bengal.
Regions where it is celebrated: Durga Puja is majorly celebrated in the Indian state of West Bengal, but it is also celebrated in various forms in other regions of India.
Durga Puja is celebrated all over the country of India. But this festival is especially popular in Bengal. In Bengal, during Durga Puja, grand festivals and celebrations are organized.
History of the Festival:
The history of Durga Puja is based on the epic tale of Maa Durga and her battles, which is known as the fight against Mahishasura. The festival begins with Mahalya and ends with immersion on Dashami Tithi. There used to be a demon named Mahinsa Sur. He was a great devotee of Lord Brahma and after performing severe penance, he asked for a boon from Brahmaji that no man or woman, i.e., any power of the world, could kill him, i.e., the boon of immortality. Wanted. But Brahmaji did not do so. He said, I cannot give such a boon. If you ask for something else, then he said, give me such a boon that my death should happen only at the hands of a woman, otherwise it should not be at the hands of anyone else. He believed that A woman is weak and powerless. After this, he created such havoc that there was an uproar everywhere on earth and heaven, all the gods started running away and they went to the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh but all three of them themselves were in despair, there was no solution to it because Brahmaji He himself had given the boon, hence no one was able to think anything, then after thinking, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh three gave birth to a power. The one who was named Durga and the same Durga killed both Mahinsasur and Sumbha Nisumbha, then the gods ascended to heaven, after that everyone started worshiping Durga Mata, the time of celebrating the festival when Shri Ram saved Mahadev and others from the battle with Ravana. The blessings of Mata Durga were needed because the blessings of Mahadev were with Mahadev. Lord Rama worshiped Mata Durga to get victory over Ravana.
Dates of this festival in the current year:
name of date goddess
October 15,2023 | (Kalash Sthapana) Maa Shailputri |
October 16, 2023 | Mother Brahmacharini |
October17,2023 | Maa Chandaghanta |
October18,2023 | Maa Kushmanda |
October 19,2023 | Maa Skandamata |
October20,2023 | Maa Katyayani |
October21,2023 | Maa Kalratri |
October22,2023 | Maa Mahagauri |
October23,2023 | Maha Navami |
October24,2023 | Immersion of Goddess Durga (Dashami) |
Durga Puja is a major festival of Hindu religion, which is celebrated from Pratipada to Dashami of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Durga, the goddess of power. Durga Puja is celebrated in different ways in different places. Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and show in West Bengal.