Travel India, Durga Puja 2017: 10 Things you MUST know about the Durga Puja Festival in Kolkata

Image courtesy: Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Belur Math. 

There are many popular festivals in Kolkata. But, the festival of Durga Puja happens to be the most exclusive festival in Kolkata. There is some kind of energetic feeling among the people whenever Durga Puja is around the corner. The fancy Bengali tradition and culture is reflected in the festival of Durga Puja. A Bengali never misses celebrating Durga Puja, No matter whichever part of the world they may be in. Let us review the 10 things you MUST know about the festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata:

1. Dhaak

The Dhaak is a drum-like musical instrument, which is played during the Durga Puja. The Dhaak is worn around the neck and played with two drumsticks. The sound of the Dhaak creates great energy and enthusiasm in the devotees visiting the Durga Puja. The environment near the pandal simply becomes very devotional with the playing of the Dhaak.

Information

• Dhaak has now become almost an integral part of the Durga Puja
• The youngsters enjoy more whenever the Dhaak is played

2. Awesome Pandal

The pandals are decorated very beautifully during the Durga Puja. Many of the different themes are being made while designing the pandals. Eachpandal is decorated artistically and creatively every year during Durga Puja. The awesome pandal simply enchant the hearts of many of the devotees coming here.

INFORMATION

• Many of the foreign visitors are amazed to looks at various decorations in pandal
• There are many of the donator who donate nicely for decorations of pandal

3. Dhunuchi Naach

The Dhunuchi Naach is one of the main attractions of Durga Puja in Kolkata. The dance is performed by holding earthen lamps is both hands with a burning coconut shell in it. The dance becomes fast as the beats in the dance get faster. Many men, women as well as children participate in it with great excitement. People gather in large numbers to watch this dance.

INFORMATION

• Apart from  two hands some people also hold the earthen lamps on head or in mouth
• Many people practice for long days for these spectacular dance

4. Traditional style dressing

The traditional Bengali style of the dressing is an important feature in the Durga Puja in Kolkata. The women’s generally wear a saree with a red border, particularly during the Ashtami. The men wear white kurta with embroidery. The dressing style looks simply stunning during Durga Puja in Kolkata.

INFORMATION

• Many of the other regions in India like to wear Bengali traditional dress during the Durga Puja festival
• Many of the Bollywood movies  do show the Bengali traditional dresses on Durga Puja ocassions

5. Kumari Puja

Kumari Puja is celebrated on the eighth day (Astami) of Durga Puja. Here a small girl between the age group of four to seven years is worshipped. She is considered as the human incarnation of the Goddess. Various devotional elements like flowers, incense sticks and sweets are offered to the girl. The people show devotion to this small girl and seek her blessings.

Information

• The Kumari Puja celebrated in the Belur Math, which was in initiated by Swami Vivekananda is very popular here
• This one of the most ancient tradition in the Bengal

6. Street Food Fun

During Durga Puja days one can find many street food stalls that have been set up near the different pandals. Many street food stalls, ranging from Rasogulla to Bhelpuri to popular Bengali fast food dishes are served here. Apart from the area nearby pandals, one can also find these food street stalls running all across the city. People enjoy different street food here.

INFORMATION

• Fuchka and jilipi are most popular street food during theses days in Kolkata
• The rates of the dishes are also low during the Durga Puja days

7. Sandhi Puja

The Sandhi Puja is performed when the Ashtami ends and the Navmi begins during the Durga Puja day. This Puja is a very special one as many lamps are illuminated. In some places, a total of 108 lamps are being ignited. After which, various sweets and flowers are offered to the Goddess. The Sandhi Puja is a wonderful sight to behold during Durga Puja.

INFORMATION

• Sandhi Puja reflects the defeat of the evil and triumph of the good.
• During the Sandhi Puja many people are gathered in the pandal

8. Attending Functions and Rituals

Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in Kolkata. The people attend many different functions and rituals associated with this festival. Every ritual has its importance in Bengali tradition. The people enjoy delightful moments during these fabulous days of Durga Puja.

INFORMATION

• Every functions in different pandals are amazing
• Many of the people have come up with different ideas in the Durga Puja function

9. Sindur Khela

The Sindhur Khela is celebrated on the 10th day (Dasami) of Durga Puja. Married women of every age group smear themselves with vermillion. They come in traditional Bengali white saree with a red border on it. Sweets are offered to the Goddess as many women participate in this event enthusiastically.

INFORMATION

• This is one of the very old tradition in the Bengali culture.
• The Sindhur Khela tradition can be easily reflected in many of the Bengali and Bollywood movies

10. Immersion

After celebrating Durga Puja with great enthusiasm, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed with great devotion and a heavy heart. The immersion is done in water by taking the blessing of the Goddess Durga. Many people have a emotional moment during the immersion of the idol.

INFORMATION

• Babu Ghat is a popular place in Kolkata for idol immersion of Goddess Durga after festival
• The people gather in large numbers during the immersion

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