What is so special about Durga Puja in Bengal: Eight amazing facts about the grand festival you should know

You must have seen the extravagant frenzy of the Carnaval in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and have obviously felt the craze of Diwali in North India. That feeling of happiness and making memories with your loved ones is what everyone looks forward to all year.

But, if you have been to Kolkata during Durga Puja, you must have figured out why it is called the City of Joy. During the four days, the Puja fever grips the heart of everyone in the city regardless of age, caste, class or gender. The entire state of West Bengal welcomes Goddess Durga and her children, along with the mighty demon Mahishasura, with open arms and hearts filled with incomprehensible emotions of togetherness. From the northern points of Tala and Bagbazar to the swanky southern pandals of Naktala and Behala, the Kolkata streets constantly witness waves of darshanarthis or 'pandal-hopping pilgrims' dressed in the best possible way they can.

Image source: Flickr

However the appearance of Puja may be, when it comes to following the tradition, there are no exceptions. Apart from the religious rituals, Durga Puja in Kolkata has its own trademark features that make it all the more exclusive.

Let us look at eight such traditions and facts regarding Durga Puja:

1. The Idols: 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.

Image source: Wikimedia

2. Offering the Eye: 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 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.

Image source: Flickr

3. Ashtami Puspanjali: No Bengali misses the puspajanli or flower offering on Ashtami morning (eighth day of the festival). You can be anywhere in Kolkata in the morning of Ashtami and see how people, even strangers, come together and offer flowers to Goddess Durga, whom they consider as Maa or mother.

Image source: Tridharasammilani

4. Kumari Puja: Goddess Durga is worshipped in many forms during the festival. One of the most famous forms being that of Kumari (virgin). 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 that continues till date with grandeur.

Image source: Rediff

5. Two Pujas: Durga Puja is not just about the pandals. Kolkata witnesses two separate kinds of Durga Puja and apart from the rituals, both are completely different from each other. One is the grand show of 'para' (locatlity) puja lights, designs, themes, ideas and crowd while 'barir' (home) puja, the other, has a homely effect and brings people closer to their roots with the sense of homecoming. The first kind happens in the pandals and community halls while the other inside the old houses of North Kolkata or the affluent households of South Kolkata.

6. Sandha Arati: The days of Durga Puja do not follow 12 to 12 clock system. One day changes to another in the evening. Every evening of Durga Puja is a grand festival itself. Drums, bells and brasses welcomes the new day with dance and especially, the dhunuchi naach. Sandha Arati or the Evening Offering is an integral part of the rituals. The chant and incantations continue till next morning.

Image source: P4A

7. Sindur Khela: Dashami, a word that fills every Bengali heart with sadness, is the last day of Durga Puja. On this day, married women gather at the Puja pandals and smear each other with sindur (vermillion) much like playing with colours in Holi. This ritual marks the farewell of Goddess Durga.

Image source: Freethoughtsblog

8. Vijaya Dashami: The streets of Kolkata change on the last day of Durga Puja. Thousands of processions, millions of people throng the roads and the traffic gets into a tizzy. Goddess Durga bids adieu to her family and sets off for the Himalayas. The idols are immersed into the river, heads first. A ritual of family reunion takes place following the immersion. Every Bengali household hosts gatherings and exchange sweets and gifts with their loved ones.

Image source: Festivals

There are other must-do rituals and traditions of Durga Puja that bring the entire Bengali community together. Some of them are written in shastras, others have become an integral part of the Durga Puja culture over the years. Visiting Maddox Square in Ballygunge, praying to the Durga idol at Bagbazar, hopping from one pandal to another with friends all night long, spending time with your family, catching up with friends - these too are traditions that just cannot go undone. However, above all, Durga Puja is essentially the worship of womanhood and the celebration of the supreme source of power - Maa Durga.