Discover Apna Desh Dekho - Your Gateway to the World

---

Durga Puja, the grandest and most significant festival in Kolkata, West Bengal, is a celebration of the Hindu goddess Durga's triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. This multi-day festival is marked by elaborate decorations, cultural events, and religious rituals.

Preparations:Months before the festival, local artisans start crafting the clay idols of Goddess Durga and her children. Pandals (temporary structures) are erected across the city, each showcasing unique themes and artistic designs. The city buzzes with excitement as the day approaches.

Pandal Hopping:During the festival, people engage in "pandal hopping," visiting various decorated pandals to admire the artistic creativity. Each pandal competes for the most innovative and aesthetically pleasing design, with themes ranging from mythology to contemporary social issues.

Religious Rituals:Durga Puja begins with Mahalaya, when the goddess is believed to descend to Earth. The main festival spans four days – Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami. Each day involves elaborate rituals, cultural performances, and traditional Bengali feasts.

Cultural Performances:Kolkata comes alive with cultural events during Durga Puja. Renowned artists and performers showcase traditional music, dance, and drama. The city hosts various competitions, including traditional dhunuchi naach (dance with incense burners) and idol immersion processions.

Sindur Khela:On Vijaya Dashami, the final day, married Bengali women participate in Sindur Khela, where they apply vermilion to the goddess and each other. It symbolizes the married women's bid farewell to Durga and invokes blessings for their own marital bliss.

Idol Immersion:The festival concludes with the grand immersion procession, where beautifully crafted idols are carried in processions to the Hooghly River for immersion. The city bids an emotional farewell to Goddess Durga as the idols dissolve into the river waters.

Durga Puja in Kolkata transcends religious boundaries, drawing people of all communities to partake in the festivities. The city's vibrant energy, artistic fervor, and communal spirit during this festival make it a unique and unparalleled cultural experience.

Durga Puja in Kolkata, West Bengal, is a cultural extravaganza, transcending religious lines and defining the city's identity. Months before the festival, the city transforms into an artistic canvas as skilled artisans craft intricate clay idols of Goddess Durga and her entourage. The entire city comes alive with the construction of elaborately themed pandals, each a masterpiece in creativity and innovation.

As the festival approaches, the streets bustle with anticipation. Pandal hopping becomes a communal activity, with people exploring the myriad themes and artistic presentations. From traditional depictions of mythology to contemporary social issues, each pandal tells a unique story.

The festival spans four days of rituals, cultural performances, and traditional Bengali feasts. Music, dance, and drama performances showcase the region's rich cultural heritage. Dhunuchi naach, where dancers perform with incense burners, adds a traditional touch to the celebrations.

The most emotional moment arrives on Vijaya Dashami, the day of farewell. Married women participate in Sindur Khela, applying vermilion to the goddess and each other, bidding farewell and seeking blessings for marital bliss. The grand immersion procession follows, as beautifully crafted idols are carried to the Hooghly River for immersion, marking the conclusion of the festival.

Durga Puja in Kolkata is not just a religious celebration; it is an embodiment of art, culture, and communal harmony. The city's vibrant energy during this time makes it one of the grandest and most celebrated festivals in India.