Durga Puja 2023: All You Need To Know
Durga Puja 2023: Devotees Gears up for the Biggest Festival All Over the Country
Durga Puja 2023 is going to be one of the biggest national holidays , Which will be observed this year from October 1 to October 5. The ceremony of "pran pratistha," which is performed by painting the eyes on the idol of the goddess Durga, begins on Mahalaya Friday, 29 September. The other auspicious days, Sasthi, Saptami, and Ashtami, each has their unique importance and traditions. The culmination of the festivities is the immersion of the idols in waterways on Vijaya Dashami day. Devotees from all over the country is now thrilled to host one of the country's greatest festivals Durga Puja once again with great favor and enthusiasm after a two-year break owing to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Days of Durga Puja 2023
Shashsti Durga Puja 2023 : October 20
Saptami Durga Puja 2023 : October 21
Ashtami Durga Puja 2023 : October 22
Navami Durga Puja 2023 : October 23
Dashmi Durga Puja 2023 : October 24
History of Durga Puja
One of the greatest celebrations among Bengalis, it is primarily observed in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and Bihar. The celebration honours the victory of Goddess Durga over Asura. It is thought that the Goddess and her family come to Earth after overcoming the evil in the cosmos. Other names for Durga Puja are Durgotsava and Sharodotsava. Although the festival lasts for ten days, the final five are regarded as the most important. Deities of Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Karthik are also revered in addition to the goddess Durga.
In every region of the nation, exquisite pandals are constructed, their well-crafted idols erected, and various ceremonies are performed. It is customary to acquire new garments and presents for loved ones during this Bengali celebration. Food is an important aspect of Durga Pujo without which the festival’s spirit is lacking.
In various regions of the nation, Durga Puja is observed for a period of 6 to 10 days. In the majority of Northern India, the event is also observed as Navratri (the nine nights).
The countdown begins on Mahalaya
Which ushers in Devi Paksha, serves as the official start of the countdown. On this day, Goddess Durga and her offspring Ganesha, Kartik, Lakshmi, and Saraswati are said to have come down to earth. It is said that Durga departs from Mount Kailash and travels through Mahalaya to her mother abode on Earth. At dawn on Mahalaya, the commencement of Durga Puja celebrations, Birendra Kishore Bhadra’s recital of the Goddess’s victory over Mahishasur, known as the “Chandipaath,” is played out, filling nearly every Bengali home with his thunderous voice.
What do the festivals of Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami mean in the context of Durga Puja?
Shashthi – Durga Puja 2023 – 20 October
The first day of the festivities, the Durga idol’s face is revealed. On Shashthi, a number of rites are carried out, including kalprarambha, bodhon, amontron, and odhibash. The Pujo’s opening is referred to as Kalprarambha. Bodhon, which is done in the evening, is the process of revealing the face of the Durga deity. While odhibash is the ceremony sanctifying the Goddess’s stay in the mandap, amontron refers to inviting Devi Durga.
Saptami – Durga Puja 2023 – 21 October
Around daybreak, a banana tree is immersed in holy water to mark the start of Saptami. After that, the tree is decorated with flowers, incense, and sandalwood paste and offered sacrifices. This is known as kola bou, or the “bride of a banana plant.” It is positioned next to Lord Ganesha to signify its status as the latter’s recently wed spouse.
The sacred bath of the Nabapatrika, also known as the nine leaves, is another symbolic rite performed during Kola Bou devotion. It is made up of the leaves of nine different plants, each of which represents a different aspect of Shakti: Brahmani (banana), Kalika (colacassia), Durga (turmeric), Kartiki (jayanti), Shiva (wood apple), Raktadantika (pomegranate), Sokrahita (ashoka), Chamunda (arum), and Lakshmi (paddy). Nabapatrika is given a river bath (snan) (Ganga in Kolkata). Leaves are attached to Koyala and Aparajita plants, the Nabapatrika is created. Additionally, it symbolises Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura.
Ashtami – Durga Puja 2023 – 22 October
The eighth day of Durga Puja, is seen to be the most fortunate day.
It is believed that Goddess Kali killed the asuras or demons Chanda, Munda, and Raktabija, who were with Mahishasura on Ashtami when she is said to have manifested from Devi Durga’s forehead when she is said to have manifested from Devi Durga’s forehead. Ashtami also includes Kumari Pujo, also known as Kanya Pujan. It alludes to a rite in which little girls are invited and treated to worship as avatars of Devi Durga.
The Shondhi Pujo, which occurs at the intersection of Ashtami and Navami tithi, is the most significant aspect of Ashtami. During this period, a yagna is conducted.
Rama asked Durga’s blessings before his fight with Ravana, and Sandhikkhan is remembered as the magnificent period when the idol of Devi Durga received praana, or life, and the spirit bestowed blessings. 108 lights are lit and 108 lotus flowers are presented to the Goddess at sandhikkhan.
To take a bath, people get up early in the morning. They then present the Goddess idol with flowers, Chandan, and dhoop. Additionally prepared and offered to the deity is naivedya or prasad. One of the primary practises of Durga Ashtami is fasting. On this day, people who observe fasting only consume milk and fruits. While on the vrat, some devotees choose not to even consume water. Devotees chants Mantras, while Durga Chalisa is sung. At the conclusion of the puja, they read the Durga Ashtami Vrat Katha. Brahmins are also given food and Dakshina as part of the traditions associated with the celebration.
Vrat: Significance
Devotees observe the Durga Ashtami Vrat for spiritual advancement and Maa Durga's blessings. Hindu mythology holds that those who observe the Durga Ashtami Vrat with the utmost devotion are blessed with happiness, fortune, and prosperity.
Navami – Durga Puja – 2023
According to Hindu legend, Devi Durga Savagely Killed Mahishasuraon Navami, Defined as “the vanquisher of Mahishasur” as a result, Devi Durga is also known as Mahisasuramardini. The day of Navami is lucky for new beginnings. In some homes, the yearly Kanjak Puja is also held on Navami. Young ladies who are revered on this day are offered poori, kale channe, and halwa.
Vijayadashami – Durga Puja – 2023
Sometimes referred to as Dussehra, signifies the conclusion of the Durga Puja celebrations. On Dashami, Sindoorkhela celebrates with women wearing the traditional “laal paad shada saree.” In the beginning, married ladies said the Goddess farewell by performing Devi Baran. Following sindoor application on the Goddess’s forehead and foot is aarti. Then, ladies apply sindoor to one another’s foreheads as well as to their shakha, pola, and noa (bangles made of conch shells, coral, and iron), which represent a Bengali woman’s marital status. After the sindoorkhela, dessert is served.
How Bengalis Celebrate Durga Puja
Throughout these ten days of Durga Puja, the devotees hardly get any sleep. People start preparing for the Durga Puja well in advance of a few months, thus it is more than just a festival to them.
Cultural Programs
Durga Puja is not just about worshiping Goddess Durga, but it is also about having cultural programs. Durga Puja is the biggest festival of Bengalis. During Durga Puja, Puja committees Organise many different cultural programs These cultural programs are the favorite of the people. The culture of the locality is displayed through the various cultural programs such as Bhakti Sangeet (devotional songs), Talaam (percussion), Panchali gaan (folk songs) and Prahali gaan (rural songs).
Dance Dhunuchi customary
The dhunachi, which is often constructed of earthenware, has a flared shape and is supported by a stem with a sizable cavity at the top. Due of the heat, it requires a longer handle when constructed of brass or silver. The incense, typically resin like Indian Frankincense or “Dhuno,” is sprinkled on top of the slowly burning layer of coconut husk that is ignited by the burning coal at the bottom of the vessel.
It is customary to do dhunuchi nritya, or a frenzied dance with the censer, to the sound of feverish dhak rolls during the Durga puja. Numerous puja traditions also have competitions for the best dance, where some dancers may use three dhunuchis, the third of which is carried between the teeth. Dhoop arati is another name for dhunachi arati.
Food Just Food
Especially during Durga Puja, no Bengali party is complete without a culinary journey. People indulge on delicacies like kosha mangsho, luchi, kathi rolls, bhoger khichuri, and biryani while residents in other regions of the nation observe Navratri by fasting for nine days. In that case, take up the phone and order some delectable cuisine for yourself if you are powerless to do anything else.
Wearing Fresh Attire
Bengalis start their shopping for Durga Puja months before the holiday season actually starts. While there are no strict guidelines for attire, women traditionally don the renowned garad saree during Vijayadashmi. Contrarily, men prefer pyjama kurta or dhoti kurta. Despite wearing these traditional clothes, Durga Puja is beautiful because it is democratic. You can dress whatsoever makes you feel most at ease!
Anjali
Everyone else has the opportunity to show their respect by making a Pushpanjali, or Anjali as it is more commonly known, which is a floral offering made with cupped palms, while the priests carry out the ceremonies and rituals related to goddess worship. All three days—Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami—are used for Anjali. Anjali’s lucky hour, which is always in the morning, is publicised in advance.
It is usual to observe a fast after offering the Anjali for the day. Everyone gathered in front of the goddess at the appointed hour, fresh-coiffed and holding a fistful of flowers and bel leaves. Following the priest, they recite the mantra, and at the conclusion, they offer flowers to the goddess. There are three rounds of floral gifts.
Sindur Khela
Hindu women who still have living spouses are customarily marked with vermillion on their foreheads. The deity is bid farewell on Dashami before being carried outside for a river immersion. One of the rites is Sindur Khela, in which married ladies (but not widows) present the goddess with vermillion and sweets. They then apply the vermillion to one another. Photographers enjoy taking pictures of this ceremony. Recently, some ladies have begun to question the tradition that forbids widows from taking part in the festival.
Bisarjan
The goddess is carried out in a procession with her kids in preparation for Bisorjon, or immersion in the river, which symbolises her return to Mount Kailash. The practise of carrying idols on the shoulders of men as they are placed on a bamboo platform is still practised by some elderly houses (bonedi bari) today. However, the majority drive the idols up to the riverbank on a truck. The idols are then loaded onto a boat and transported to the river’s centre for the immersion. Boat trips to see the immersion ritual are also a treat to watch.
Celebrating Bijoya
The annual celebration comes to a conclusion at this point. Elders’ feet are touched by young people. The young are blessed by the elderly. A kind of hugging gesture known as Kolakuli is used by men their own age. Special candies are given out, particularly Naru or roundels prepared with coconut and jiggery. Previously, it was the responsibility of the ladies to prepare various savouries and sweets at home to be given out at Bijoya. Nowadays, most individuals purchase their food from stores
