Durga Puja - Short Essay 1
Durga Puja is a festival to worship of the Goddess Durga. Puja means to worship, and Durga means the Goddess Durga. Though it is more popular in the Eastern and North-Eastern Indian States of West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, etc.; in today’s world, it is celebrated across most major cities of India. It is celebrated every year in September or October depending on the dates of the Indian Calendar.
Durga Puja celebrations basically consist of the worship rituals and prayers for the Goddess Durga.
Here is how Durga Puja gets celebrated in India.
- During the festive period people enjoy a lot by dancing singing holy songs, and in between these activities, people socialize a lot like a lot of people gather for Durga Puja throughout the country.
- The most famous Durga Puja celebration in the world is of Kolkata because in the city more than 45000 Durga Puja Pandals get decorated on the auspicious occasion and people from around the globe, travel to this beautiful city to watch and celebrate Durga Puja.
- In other parts of the country, people show a great love towards Goddess Durga, and people give their gifts to goddess Durga and expect their wishes to get fulfilled in return.
Though that is the religious aspect, there is also a Social aspect to it. It is a ten-day festival, in which a large idol of Goddess Durga is installed in prominent public places. The idol is decorated beautifully with flowers, jewelry, and many other colorful decorations. It is a sight to behold. People come together with their families, share sweets, share festival greetings and participate in the prayers and worship of Goddess Durga. On the tenth day, called Dussehra, the idol is immersed in Water, and the festival is declared closed, until next year.
Goddess Durga signifies the Power of the Feminine Energy in Indian Culture. So Durga Puja is a Symbol of Gender Equality and a celebration of the importance of the Feminine Energy in our lives. Goddess Durga was the slayer of the Demon Mahishasura, so her worship also signifies the Importance of choosing the Good Path in life.
Durga Puja festival is significant on multiple levels. On one level, it is merely a big Social Event for family get-together. On another level, it is a religious event for the ritual worship of Goddess Durga. And on the Spiritual level, it signifies the Value of Choosing the Good Path in life.
Source: https://www.importantindia.com/29142/short-essay-on-durga-puja-festival/
Durga Puja - Short Essay 2
Durga Puja is one of significant Hindu festivals in India. Literally it means the Worship [Puja] of the Goddess called Durga. This celebration happens generally in the months of September – October every year. It is celebrated by all Hindus, and even other religions participate in the celebrations. But it is more popular in the Eastern Indian States of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and Tripura.
Significance of Goddess Durga
The Goddess Durga has a very prominent role and significance in the Indian subcontinent, from a mythological, religious, spiritual and moral points of view. One significant difference in the Hindu religion is that goddesses are considered equally important as the gods and hence gives deep roots to the gender equality dimension in the Indian psyche. Goddesses are considered a manifestation of the feminine energy of the Existence. A good balance between the masculine and feminine energies is considered important for harmonious existence. And hence festivals like Durga Puja have been given prominent position in the Indian social landscape. The Goddess Durga is the most prominent goddess in Hindu religion and mythology. She is depicted as a Goddess of Power [Shakti] and is portrayed as a Warrior Goddess, who is the destroyer of evil. She is also depicted as a slayer of the demon Mahishasura. She is also shown riding a lion or a tiger, another power symbol. She is also considered the Protector Goddess for the followers of good and ethical behaviour. In terms of mythology and spirituality, Goddess Durga is a symbol of the path of Dharma [Good behaviour], the choice of good over evil, right over wrong.
Moral reminder
In that sense, Goddess Durga represents two basic moral codes of the Indian Social structure: gender equality and the power of good behaviour. Hence the annual worship of Durga Puja, is a means of a constant reminder to the entire population of these two ethical values.
Celebration
The festival of Durga Puja is a celebration spread over ten days. Big sized idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped for nine days. On the tenth day of Vijayadashami or Dussehra the idol is immersed in water. Durga puja is a major private and public celebration.
Durga Puja is a unique celebration of the feminine God-Energy from the Indian mythology.
Source: https://www.importantindia.com/29142/short-essay-on-durga-puja-festival/
Durga Puja - Short Essay 3
Introduction
The Durga Puja is an annual festival of Hindus, which is celebrated by worshiping Goddess Durga. Hindu Goddess Durga is believed to have killed the demon Mahishasura.
The festival marks “victory of good over evil”. It takes place in the month of Ashwin from the first to the tenth day of the bright fortnight. It is an occasion of great enthusiasm and festivity for the Hindus. On this occasion schools, colleges, and offices are closed for a long holiday. People who live abroad return their homes for celebrating the Puja with their families.
It is celebrated by the Hindus all over India and abroad. It is the most popular festival in the state of West Bengal, India.
Description of Durga Puja
The Puja is celebrated for ten days, but the image is installed on the seventh day. During the last three days the Puja is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. The images are of different designs and sizes.
Goddess Durga is referred to as the Goddess of Power (Shakti). The idol of Goddess Durga has ten hands and stands on the back of a huge lion. She fights with a demon with ten different weapons.
Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati stand on either side of Devi Durga. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and fortune. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and wisdom.
Kartik and Ganesh sit next to them upon a peacock and amouse respectively. For three days, the images of these Gods and Goddesses are worshiped along with their mother goddess Durga. The puja starts from the seventh day of the moon.
Flowers and sweets are offered to them. The priest reads the sacred slokas of “Chandi” and performs the puja.
On the last day, the day of “Vijoya Dashami” images and idols are immersed in water. They are dressed in fine clothes and decked with beautiful ornaments. During the Puja the poor are fed, alms are distributed to the people.
At various Puja pandals, the worship of Mother Durga is being performed both by the rich and the poor, with subscriptions raised for the purpose.
Special Features
The Vijaya Dashami is considered to be an auspicious day. On the day people visit their relatives. The people of the trading classes begin their new year from this day. At some placed Ramlila is staged and Ravan is killed on the Dashami day.
Stories Connected with Durga Puja
There are various stories connected with the Vijaya Dashami. It is said that Lord Rama killed Ravana (evil demon) on this day and performed the Puja of Goddess Durga. Since then it has been celebrated every year on this day. Another story is that one King Suratha performed the Puja on this day. The third is that Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, a demon, on this day.
Shopping
The shopping season begins nearly one month before the Durga Puja festival. Huge crowd can be seen at marketplaces and shopping malls. The festive season is also a boon for online shopping websites. They come up with exclusive deals and offers to charm the customers.
Conclusion
At some places the Durga Puja is celebrated twice in a year, in Ashwin and in Chaitra month. The Puja is happy time for all. People put on new clothes. The joys of children know no bounds. The grown-up people also enjoy it merrily.
Source: https://www.importantindia.com/7230/short-essay-on-durga-puja/
Short Paragraph on Durga Puja Festival - 4
The Durga Puja
The Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsav, is a Hindu Festival. Durga Puja is the greatest festival in West Bengal. The Durga Puja is celebrated in the month of Ashwin i.e. October. The festival is very popular in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha and Manipur. Durga Puja marks the victory of Goddess Durga over evil demon Mahishasura. The festival is celebrated for 10 days , although there is more enthusiasm during the last 4 days .
Significance and Importance
Durga Puja festival is of great significance and importance. It signifies the victory of good over the evil.
Durga is the goddess of strength or Shakti. The idols of Goddess Durga are installed at various pandals. She holds various weapons in her ten hands. She rides on a lion. Mahisasura demon is attacked by her.
She comes along with Ganesh, the lord of the host, Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and Kartik, the god of heavenly forces. On the top is seated Shiva, the lord destroyer.
It also reminds us of the victory of Rama over Ravana , the demon king.
Celebration
Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and happiness. Men, women and children of all ages go to see the beautiful puja pandals.
On the day of Bijoya Dashami, the image of Goddess Durga is emmersed.
Conclusion
The Durga Puja Festival teaches us that virtue always wins over evil in the end . People from all walks of life enjoy the festival of Durga Puja.
Source: https://www.importantindia.com/14355/short-paragraph-on-durga-puja-festival/
Durga Puja Festival: Mythology, Celebration, Significance and Teachings - 5
Introduction: Durga Puja literally means ‘Worship of Goddess Durga’. This festival is also known as ‘Durgotsava’ or ‘Sharadotsav’.
The Durga Puja is the grandest festival and the greatest event in the religious life of the Hindus living in West Bengal. People worship the Goddess Durga with great pomp and devotion every year.
It generally takes place in the month of Ashwin when the Goddess Durga and her attendant deities, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartik, are worshipped with offerings of flowers, bael leaves, rice, banana, sweet meats, coconuts and other fruits.
Durgotsava: The word Durgotsava is a combination of two words, i.e. Durga and Utsav. Durga means ‘Goddess Durga’ and ‘Utsav’ means “celebration, joyous occasion, or festival”. Hence, Durgotsava means the ‘the joyous occasion to celebrate the festival of Goddess Durga’.
When is Durga Puja celebrated? Durga Puja is celebrated in the month of Ashwin (September-October) every year.
Bunch of festivals: Durga Puja is not a single festival; it is actually a bunch of festivals celebrated in six days as Mahalaya, Maha Shashti, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami (Durga Ashtami), Maha Navami and Vijaya Dashami (10th day of Victory).
Goddess Durga – Mainfestation of Sakti or the power of God: Hindus look upon Goddess Durga as a manifestation of Sakti or the power of God. She assumes different forms at different times to destroy the Danavas or the workers of evil. One of these, the Mahishasura, was was a terrible demon and the dwellers of heaven knew not how to get rid of him. The Goddess Durga, armed with all dazzling weapons and accompanied by her favorite animal (Vahan) the lion marched against the ferocious Danava. The contest was a terrible victory that marks the epoch of universal rejoicing and festivity amongst the Hindus.
Who celebrates Durga Puja festival? Hindus celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. This is the most important festival for the people of West Bengal and Tripura. Durga Puja is such a great and significant festival that people enjoy a five day annual holiday.
Other than West Bengal and Tripura, Durga puja is widely celebrated across Delhi, Manipur, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and other states of India.
Durga Puja is an important festival for the Hindus and people all over the world celebrate the festival. This festival is widely celebrated in Nepal, where majority of the population are Hindus. Hindus staying in Bangladesh, United States, Australia, Germany Singapore, etc also celebrate the Durga Puja.
Few days before Durga Puja: Before the arrival of the Puja, the houses are cleansed and washed. Everything is then kept in its proper place.
How people celebrate Durga Puja? The Puja is spent in high spirit and gaiety, and happy is he, who can take part in it with a whole mind. During the occasion of Durga Puja festival, besides the worship of Goddess Durga, Worship of Shiva (Husband of Goddess Parvati), Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesh and Lord Kartikeya are also seen as Goddess Durga is one of the aspects of Goddess Parvati.
All people, rich and poor, high and low, enjoy the divine festival with piety and joy. Besides the religious passion, there is a strong social togetherness that makes people yearns for this great annual event. That is why we find the community worship spreading annually. Various associations, clubs, and townships organize large Puja events every year. Now-a-days, it has become a custom among people in general of different areas of cities and towns to hold a joint worship of Goddess Durga. The Durga Puja celebration includes displaying the decoration of Pandals artistically. This is an occasion for social get-together where men, women, and children work together. Thus, the event of Durga Puja contributes to the growth of the feeling of the spirit of brotherhood and unity.
Description of the image: Durga is the Goddess of Power. She has ten hands. With one hand, she thrusts a spear into Mahisusura, a buffalo demon. She holds various weapons on other hands. She places her feet on the back of her carrier, a lion and on the shoulder of the demon.
Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune, and Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, stand by her two sides.
Kartik, the handsome God of Strength, and Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of Triumph remains in their sides.
Account of worship: The Puja commences on the sixth day of the full moon in the month of Aswin when the Goddess Durga is invoked at night. Then the worship continues for the next three days in daytime on the seventh, eighth and ninth lunar days of the full moon.
On the tenth lunar day, called the Vijaya Dashami, Durga is worshipped for Her immersion, and Her image is immersed in the nearest river or canal or tank.
Generally, the image is carried in procession through streets and rivers. People of all classes, men and women, old and young, go to see the immersion. After the ceremony is over, the function of Vijaya Greetings is done among all men who embrace one another and exchange their good wishes and blessings.
Durga Puja festival has also become the festival of reunion for friends and families. This celebration continues for last ten days with feast and worship; out of which last four days are the main events.
Traders: The Puja is also a pleasant occasion to the tradesman. They make the richest display of their goods and fancy articles. People buy new clothes, dress, rich apparel, essences, and other valuables. In fact, what the tradesman gains on the occasion of the puja gives him his livelihood and comfort for half the months of the year.
Significance and reason behind Durga Puja celebration: Durga Puja festival signifies that no matter how powerful the evil forces are, the ultimate victory will always be in the hands of the virtuous. This day marks the victory of Goddess Durga (good) over the Demon Mahishasura (evil). Hence, like many other festivals, this festival also shows the domination of good over bad.
Durga Puja has a very positive effect upon the minds of men and women, and the society at large. The poor widow, the bereaved mother, and the orphan boy, shake off for the time being their cause of sorrow or melancholy and join in the universal rejoicing, being led to believe that it is not proper to lament when the mother of the universe is amongst them. On the day of the Bijoya, after the images are immersed into the river the people fall to embracing one another forgetting all past misunderstandings. This is certainly a sight well worthy of being taken notice of by the preachers of philanthropy or universal brotherhood.
Teachings: The main teachings of the Durga Puja festival is that people should not let their evil or negative aspect win over their good or positive aspect.
On this occasion, in many places, large statues of evil demon Ravana are burnt with crackers.
Conclusion: Durga Puja is a ceremony of great joy and merriment for all people of our land. Almost all of them put on new clothes. Schools and colleges, courts and offices remain closed, and those who reside elsewhere, come home to enjoy the festival.
The people in general partake of ceremonial meals offered on the happy occasion.
Source: https://www.importantindia.com/21623/durga-puja-festival/