Clicky
Special Supplement

Interesting aspects of Durga Puja


Published : 02 Oct 2019 07:11 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 02:01 AM

Anyone can relate to their local festivities whether it is a religious or based on culture and tradition. But one thing which is common is all festivities is the feeling of happiness and the potential of making memories which last a lifetime for someone. And these are the aspects of festivities which people look forward to each year.

In concurrence to that the Durga Puja too comes each year for the Hindu community and carries forth a bunch of new memories for the followers of the religion. But Bangladesh being a secular state honours all religions regardless of the number of followers. Thus a state of mind has been created amongst the young generation that goes something like this---Dhormo Jar Jar Utshob Shobar (No matter the religion, festivities are for everyone).

And, to strengthen this aspect of secularism amongst the young and old of the country here are some interesting aspects of Durga Puja. The idols are the most sacred part of the festivities it takes a long time to make them and worshipped with the devotion that they are made -- “The Idols of Durga and her children is obviously the most important part of the grand event. Durga in her full avatar appears stabbing Mahishaura's torso while riding the Lion. To her left stand Saraswati and Karthika and to her right, you will find Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Ganesha's two wives in the form of two banana trunks. There would also be an image of Shiva above Durga. The whole structure or frame is called a Chala.”

Coming to one of the pre-puja ritual, Chokkhudan, is “One of the oldest and most interesting phenomenon is the Chokkhudaan or the offering the eye of Goddess Durga. Generally, it takes around 3 to 4 months to make a Durga Chala. The final stroke of the paint makes the eyes of Durga. This ritual is supposed to be done in complete darkness and in the presence of only one sculptor and no one else. However, only a few sculptors follow this rule, as others have to finish the idol beforehand.”

Moving on to one of the most interesting aspects called Kumari Puja, here the idea is the worshipping of one of the innocent forms of goddess Durga, “Goddess Durga is worshipped in many forms during the festival. One of the most famous forms being that of Kumari. A girl with a bright disposition and aged between one to sixteen years is selected beforehand. On the day of Ashtami, the Kumari girl is worshipped in front of the Durga idol. This ritual is considered as the purest form of worship. One of the most famous Kumari Pujas is the one that Swami Vivekananda started at Belur Math in Howrah, Kolkata that continues till date with grandeur.”

There are other rituals which are a part of Durga Puja and must be observed by those followers of the religion. But even observing the ceremonies which bring a huge chunk of the Bengali community together is a sight to see for anyone who wishes to enjoy the festivities with their fellow Bengali brethren.