Goddess Durga in the center with her two daughters, Laxmi and Saraswati, and two sons, Kartick and Ganesh, on either side. Ganesh is elephant-headed. There is a mythological story behind it. The demon "Asura" is near her feet. Also spot the fighting lion. (Also visit Durga Puja page- 2011)
Durga Puja is one of the greatest festivals of the Hindus. It is celebrated with great pomp and luxury all over India, especially in the state of West Bengal. Goddess Durga, the epitome of strength, is worshipped during this festival. It takes place during the month of September or October every year.
Goddess Durga has ten arms. She holds different weapons in her hands. She rides on a lion, which also took active participation in her fight with Asura, the demon. The demon came out of a buffalo. She is worshipped in her fighting form.
Clay model of the goddess is made every year and it is the clay model that is worshipped. It has to be a clay model.
It is a very joyous and happy time for the Hindus. It is a time when people forget all kinds of worries, miseries, rivalry, etc. and come together to celebrate the festival. It is a time of tolerance and forgiveness.
The city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in West Bengal dresses up like a newly-wed woman. All kinds of decorations and lightings can be seen everywhere. People of a particular locality gather and make their own worshipping. Each locality builds up its own temporary temple-like structure inside which the clay model of Goddess Durga, beautifully decorated with all kinds of ornaments, crown etc., is worshipped. In this way several hundreds of such worshipping take place in and around the city of Kolkata every year. Different localities make the clay model in different styles. This worshipping goes on for four days. On each day people go there to make their offerings to the goddess. They also make wishes.
The celebration also goes on for four days at a stretch, even during the night. From evening onwards, the streets and pavements of Kolkata get flooded with people, wearing new dresses and moving from the temple of one locality to the other to have a glimpse of the goddess. This is because different localities make different kinds of decorations in a highly competitive manner. Even contests are also held as to which locality has come up with the best decoration. People from all over India and abroad come to see this grand celebration every year.
All kinds of good foods also form an integral part of the festival. Schools and colleges remain closed during this time. On the fourth day the goddess is immersed in the water of a pond or a river and the temple-like structure is dismantled.
Durga Puja, Kolkata, October, 2010
(Also visit Durga Puja page-2011)
The Temple inside which the worshipping took place. It was built out of bamboo pieces, cut into different shapes and sizes, both outside and inside.
The same Temple from another angle.
