Shakti Transcends Fulfilling Our Desires And Vanquishing Evil

Navratri is coming to its end and another set of holidays are ending. Durga puja is a magnanimous event to all Indians and especially to the Eastern parts of India i.e. Kolkata. But it’s not auspicious to only Bengali; it is celebrated extensively in Western and Northern India.

Bengal

It is believed the Goddess descends to earth at the time of drawing the eyes on the idols. Kumartuli or potter’s locality is a famous place in North Kolkata where a majority of the idols are made. On the first day of Durga Puja in Kolkata; the beautifully decorated idols are brought home or placed magnificently as decorated public pandals. The idol is then decorated with flowers, clothes, jewelry, red vermillion, and various sweets are kept in front of the Goddess. The idol of the Goddess is accompanied by the idol of Lord Ganesh. This is the ritual of invoking the presence of the Goddess in the idol. This takes place on the seventh day, when early in the morning; a small banana plant called Kola Bou is taken to the river to be bathed and dressed in a red-bordered sari and carried back in a procession to be placed near the idol of the Goddess.

The gorgeously decorated pandals each emphasize a theme; be it the legends of Goddess Durga or scenes from Hindu epic texts. Nowadays, some pandals are themed on a social cause to spread awareness. Daytime is usually better to see the pandals closely when the crowd is less, however; the brightly lit pandals in hundreds of colors are quite a sight of their own in the evenings. Food is a major feature of the Kolkata Durga Puja festival and Kolkata is reputed to be a foodie’s paradise. Sure enough, in a festival this grand you are bound to find the most delicious and incredible variety of Bengali cuisine. From snacks and sweet dishes that only Calcutta is famous for; to the Kolkata Durga Puja special themed Bhog meals that have a little of everything. All the pandals offer Bhog (offerings made to the Goddess Durga which is later distributed among the devotees) and community kitchens are also set up.

Delhi

It’s a 5-day long puja in the capital with pandals, cultural programs, and feast. Chittaranjan Park in Delhi or the mini Bengal in Delhi is the major attraction of Ashtami. the Kalash ceremony is also performed on ghats. due to covid, the ceremony is held at respective homes. usually in various parts of Delhi, it is celebrated Kashmiri gate, Mayur vihar, and civil lines.

Varanasi 

When we are talking about a splendid festival, how could we miss the grandeur aura prevailing in the city and sumptuous foods? During Shardiya Navratri, the entire city is decorated with colorful lights, and different clubs set up awesome pandals housing Maa Durga’s idol along with her entourage which includes Kartikeya, Ganesh, Maa Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati. Alongside these pandals are served awesome street foods for which ‘Varanasi’ need no introduction. Navaratri is celebrated with huge pomp and show all across India, but when it’s in Varanasi, it has to be something extra, something more, something enormous. It’s only in Varanasi where one can visit the nine different Temples of Maa Shakti dedicated to nine different manifestations and get her eternal blessings. All these temples are centuries old and can be traced from Purans and ancient pieces of literature. Thus, along with spiritual inclination, historical curiosity also quadruples.

Gujarat

Navratri is devoted to Amba Mataji. In some homes, images of Mataji are worshiped by accepted practice. This is also true of the temples, which usually have a constant stream of visitors from morning to night. The most common form of public celebration is the performance of garbage or dandiya-ras, Gujarat’s popular folk dance, late throughout the nights of these nine days in public squares, open grounds, and streets.