Durga Puja 2023: Date and Significance

Date, timing and tithi of the festival

This year, the 10-day long festival of Durga Puja begins on October 22nd. Held in the month of Ashvin on the Hindu calendar, either September or October, this festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. The first nine days of the festival, known as “Navratri”, is dedicated to the prayer and worship of Goddess Durga for killing the buffalo demon Mahishasur. The tenth and final day marks the end of the festival.

In Hindu mythology, Durga Puja is also celebrated to commemorate the victory of King Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon Ravana. On this day, an image of Ravana is burned, and prayers are said to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

For Hindus, Durga Puja is a time to come together and celebrate the victory of light over darkness, hope over despair and good over evil.

Tithi

Navami

October 22, 7:59 PM – October 23, 5:45 PM

Timing

Shubh muhurat for puja will begin on October 2 at 6:47 pm and end on October 3 at 4:37 pm. The day of Maha Navami will be October 4.

Overview

Durga Puja is a well-known Hindu holiday where Goddess Durga is honoured. This festival is also called Durgotsava. Durgotsava is the name for the whole five-day celebration: Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami.

According to legend, Goddess Durga, along with Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya, arrived on Earth for her followers at the Durga Puja festival. This event is mainly observed and celebrated in West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Tripura, Manipur, Bihar, and Jharkhand with great fervour and devotion. Additionally, Durga Puja is observed throughout the nation in many different regions, including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Punjab.

Significance

Goddess Durga is known as the “destroyer of evil” and is recognized by all ten of her wielding weapons hands, the lion serving as her vehicle. Gauri, Chandika, Bhavani, Amba, Mahishasuramardini, and Parvati are frequently used to refer to her. As a result, she can also be described as the “protector of the Righteous” to all Hindu followers. This concludes the information available regarding the Durga Puja observed nationwide.

History Behind The Festiva

The major purpose of this celebration is to firmly commemorate the triumph that Goddess Durga bought humanity over the demonic being known as Mahishasura. In accordance with the accepted religious doctrine, it is widely held that the art of vanquishing the demon signified the triumph of good over evil. The seventh day of Navratri, also known as Maha Saptami, is when the Goddess Durga began her conflict with the demon. On the occasion of Vijay Dashami, she finally finished the monster off. The Goddess Durga has been revered ever since as a representation of power or shakti.

According to legend, in the late 1500s, Goddess Durga was worshipped in her most elaborate form ever. According to folklore, the original Durga Puja in Bengal was started by the landlords, or zamindar, of Dinajpur and Malda. Another report claims that the first Sharadiya or Autumn Durga Puja was held in Bengal in around 1606 and was organized by Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur or Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya.

The first community puja, known as the “baro-yaari” puja, or the “twelve-pal” puja, was performed in 1790 by the twelve friends of Guptipara in Hoogly, West Bengal. They worked together and solicited donations from the community. According to Somendra Chandra Nandy in “Durga Puja: A Rational Approach,” published in The Statesman Festival, 1991, Raja Harinath of Cossimbazar, who celebrated the Durga Puja at his ancestral house in Murshidabad from 1824 to 1831, brought the baro-yaari puja to Kolkata in 1832.

“In 1910, the Sanatan Dharmotsahini Sabha staged the first true communal puja in Baghbazar, Kolkata, with complete public input, control, and involvement, replacing the baro-yaari puja with the sarbajanin, or community puja. In Bengal in the 18th and 19th centuries, the institution of the communal Durga Puja significantly contributed to the growth of Hindu Bengali culture. The “public” form of Bengali Durga Puja is currently the most popular “In Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society, M. D. Muthukumaraswamy and Molly Kaushal make their argument.

Beliefs

According to Hindu texts, the event commemorates the Goddess Durga’s victory against the shape-changing asura Mahishasura. Consequently, the celebration symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, even if it also serves as a harvest festival honouring the Goddess as the maternal force responsible for all life and creation.

Rituals Conducted

• During the “Mahalaya” festival, Goddess Durga is requested to spend a week on Earth.
• Everyone is interested in the deity idol, also called Chokkhu Daan.
• On the first day, a large, beautifully crafted Maa Durga idol is set on decorated podiums throughout the city.
• The worship area is cleaned at home, and a Kalash is placed as a sign of the Goddess.
• After the statue is erected, a ritual is performed on Saptami to establish her divine presence. Pran Pratishthan is the name for this.

A small banana plant known as Kola Bou (banana bride), which is dressed in a sari and bathed in the nearby river, is thought to be able to absorb the goddess’ soul and divinity. Every day in various ways, prayers are made to the Goddess with a pure heart.

On Ashtami, the Goddess is worshipped as a virgin girl, Kumari Puja. According to legend, Goddess Durga changes into a Kumari (a girl) following the puja. This day is observed to uphold the purity of the female force and its propagation throughout society.

On Navami, the Goddess receives prayers through the Maha Arti fire ritual.

The idol is transported outside for immersion on the final day of Puja when the Goddess departs for her husband’s residence. Each married woman presents Maa Durga with red colour powder (Sindoor) and daubs herself with marriage, fertility, and childbearing.

A sizable protest is held in the city after the festivities are over to give followers a chance to visit the Lord once. After dancing, enjoying, and satisfying the divinity, the followers submerge the idol in water.

Guidelines for Durga Puja:

• Don’t disrespect women.
•  Goddess Durga is adored during the Navratri festival in her nine various incarnations.
• This occasion should emphasize the importance of respecting women in your immediate area.
•  Remember to respect women at all times, not only during these nine days, to receive Maa Durga’s celestial blessings.
• During Navratri, taking a bath early and doing puja rituals are thought to bring good luck.
• Make sure to direct the “Akhand jyot” you light for the Goddess toward the southwest.
• If you observe an “Akhand jyoti” for nine days, ensure you don’t violate Puja rules or practices.
• Remember that a tranquil home encourages happiness and success all year long.
• Try to avoid conflict, disagreements, or fighting throughout the nine days of Navratri.
• During Navratri, it is advised to abstain from eating non-vegetarian meals, drinking alcohol, and smoking.
• Refrain from including garlic or onions in your offerings to Maa Durga. Use rock salt in place of conventional, refined salt.

Traditional Foods Consumed

1. Luchi aloor dum

Get your day going with this delicious combination! Luchi is made using maida and deep-fried in refined oil. The ideal accompaniment to luchi, also known as “poori” in Hindi, is “aloor dum,” made with baby potatoes, ginger-garlic paste, onion, and various spices.

2. Aloo posto

This recipe is easy and delectable, making it the perfect holiday preparation. This meal, made with potatoes, mustard oil, and poppy seeds, has robust flavours and is best served as a side dish to steamed rice, also known as “mishti pulao.”

3. Kolkata-style mutton biryani

The greatest biryani has ever been found at streetside shops in Kolkata! A unique combination of spices and “desi ghee,” which gives food its thick and rich flavour, is used to make mutton biryani in the Kolkata style. The tender, juicy mutton serves as the dish’s crowning glory.

4. Bhapa Ilish

Bhapa Ilish, which translates to “steamed hilsa fish,” is a favourite dish among Bengalis who enjoy Hilsa. This recipe uses a steaming marinade, giving the food a unique and complex flavor. With steaming white rice, it is best appreciated.

5. Kosha mangsho

You can have this mouthwatering mutton dish with either “luchi” or “bhaat.” This hearty mutton curry, made with love and aromatic spices, is excellent for sharing at the dinner table. This dish’s luscious richness will undoubtedly improve your dining experience! Visit this page to read the entire recipe, then try it out!

6. Kolar Bora

You can’t resist this delicious meal, even if you don’t like sweet food! These crunchy fritters may be offered to anybody because they are made with maida, rice flour, and ripe bananas. They are mildly sweet in flavour and will certainly satiate your appetite.

7. Mochar chop

The Bengali word for banana flower is “mocha,” you need this vegetable along with potatoes, green chilies, tamarind, and several spices to make “mochar chop.” With tea, these deep-fried chops make the ideal evening snack. During the holiday season, Bengalis make “aloor chop” and “vegetable chop.”

8. Muri ghonto

“Muri ghonto” is a dal recipe that includes fried fish head. Sounds strange? Maybe it does, but after tasting it just once, you’ll want more and more of it. Steamed rice goes perfectly with this delectable recipe.

9. Ghugni

Ghugni is one of the most famous street meals in Bengal. Ghugni is served at streetside stands with chopped onions, green peppers, and coriander leaves. Additionally, they might serve it with “muri” (puffed rice), as the combination is delicious!

10. Kacha aamer chatni

This “chatni” (chutney), which is generally eaten with “bhog khichudi,” is made with raw mango, dry red chilies, and sugar. However, you can also enjoy it with “fried papad.”

FAQS

1. What must not to we do during Durga Puja?

During Navratri, it is advised to abstain from smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating non-vegetarian food. Make sure there are no garlic or onions in the offerings you present to Maa Durga.

2. What are the advantages of Durga worship?

She pushes the person to work hard and obtain a higher position in terms of material success. Her devotion enriches her worshippers from all material perspectives. She bestows material psychic abilities and siddhis upon her worshippers. She grants freedom from all types of negativities and mental unrest.

3. What is the Durga Puja symbol?

Lord Durga has ten arms. Among the weapons, Lord Durga holds in her ten hands are conchs, bows and arrows, trishuls, maces, thunderbolts, snakes, and flames. Each of these items is symbolic in some way. The main symbolism is that she shields her followers from all evil forces.

4. Which chakra is Durga related to?

The first day of Navratri is dedicated to the Goddess of the Muladhara Chakra, who represents steadiness and strength. She is Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, and while riding a bull, she is holding a lotus flower in one hand and a trident in the other.

5. Which flower does Durga like?

Flowers have a significant role in Goddess worship. We adore Maa Durga and present her favourite foods to satisfy her. Maa Durga is said to like crimson hibiscus blossoms.

6. How can I decorate my room during Durga Puja?

Put a pandal stand for the Goddess in your puja area to decorate. Additionally, you might dress the deities in fresh attire and surround them with flower garlands and diyas. Even the clothing for the deities can be made at home using fabric or paper for stylish new decor.

7. Which place is best for Durga Puja?

Kolkata, West Bengal

8. What is the name of the second day of Durga Puja?

The Goddess of Penance, Mata Brahmacharini, is honoured on the second day of the festival of Navratri. She is dressed in a white saree with a rosary and a kamandal in her left hand. It is claimed that Brahmacharini Mata bestows wisdom and understanding upon her devotees.

9. What is the name of the first Durga Puja day?

Chokkhu Daan, an auspicious rite, is performed on Mahalaya. Mahalaya marks the beginning of the Durga Puja festivities. On this day, people get ready for the Goddess’s visit and the visits of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kartikeya.