Durga Puja - Essay.
Introduction
Durga Puja is a very important celebration in the Hindu religion and culture. This major celebration takes place in the month of Ashvina according to the Hindu culture.
This month lies in between the months of September to October. The celebration traditionally took place for ten days. This is a celebration that is most popular in the regions of West Bengal, Assam and other states in Eastern India.
Description
The Durga Puja festival is an event that takes place for ten days. The last five days of this festival however are the ones that involve the most popular practices. The Mahalaya marks the beginning of the festival. It marks the day when the advents of Goddess Durga are celebrated. The other important day of the Durga Puja festival is the sixth day. This day is referred to as Shashthi and it is the day when the Goddess is welcomed by the local community and it also marks the inauguration of the celebrations. The seventh, eighth and ninth day which are known as the Saptami, Ashtami and Navami respectively mark the major celebrations of the Goddess and well as the revere of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya. These three days are the ones that mark the major worship known as Puja and in the three days people recite scriptures, visit their families and decorate the temple.
Significance
- One of the significances of this day is that it is believed to give people mental health and happiness.
- The Durga Puja also helps people to become victorious over the obstacles that they may be facing in life.
- Worshipping the goddess Durga and taking part in the celebrations also helps to combat evil and to fight off negative thoughts.
- Showing true religious devotion during the worship of goddess Durga also helps one to acuire knowledge and wealth and they are able to distance themselves from sin.
- This celebration not only has a religious significance but it also creates a platform for social and cultural exchange. This is where the customs and values of the people involved in the festivity can be seen by the rest of the world.
How is Durga Puja Celebrated?
During the ten days of the celebration, there are various activities that people partake in. There are days when people engage in the main Puja which involves true worship and also reciting various scriptures. People also go to visit their families and together they go to the temples and pandals that are well decorated.
The puja rituals are very long. They involve three days of mantras, verse chants, prayers and offerings. There are also some media stations that broadcast the festivities.
Durga Puja of West Bengal
In Bengal, the Durga puja celebration is a festivity that is widely celebrated. It is actually the largest celebration in West Bengal. The cities are usually full of decorations and colors on this day. Due to the weight that the people in Bengal give to this day, there are domestic tourists who go to the region to get to be part of the festivity. There is a ten days holiday that schools and public offices get to enjoy during the Durga puja. People who are taking part in the celebration share gifts among their friends and family members. The celebration not only involves those of the Hindu faith but also those of other religions go to Bengal and dress in traditional outfits to enjoy the celebration.
Conclusion
The Durga puja is a festival that is very important to all people of India despite their religion. This is because people of other religions can take part in the celebrations that happen in most parts of India. This festivity is especially popular among the people of West Bengal who regard this as the most important festival to them.
By Mary