nirjhar: Durga Puja, An International Festival

Goddess Durga: Traditional Idol; Photograph by Nirjhar Chakravorti

Durga Puja, an international festival, is a trademark of Bengali Culture. The essay is describing Durga Puja in a brief manner and written especially for those who wants to know about this festival and it’s background.

The essay contains following items:
1. Historical development of Indian religion
2. A short idea about Bengal
3. Concept of Durga & History of Durga Puja
4. Durga Puja, an international festival
5. Durga Puja and Bengali Culture

India’s first civilization, Harappa Culture, was as old as Egyptian civilization or Mesopotamian Civilization. Around 2600 Before Christ, Harappa Culture (or Indus Valley Civilization) was spread in the area where present Sind State of Pakistan is situated. After that, Aryans arrived in India and started residing on the bank of River Indus. There is historical debate over origin and nature of that great Aryan migration. Some says that, they had migrated from present Iran and west Asia, and some says Europe, even Germany. But whatever it was, the Aryans started residing on the bank of river Indus (named Sindhu). They had built their unique culture and rituals. As they used to reside on the bank of river Sindhu, so the culture they built was called Hindu (named after river Sindhu). These people also developed their unique belief and rituals. To fight with natural calamities and to maintain social justice, they also conceptualized different gods and goddesses. Gradually they spread their habitat all over northern part of India. A sect of Historian said that white coloured Aryans forced the original black coloured natives to migrate towards Southern part of India. Gradually, cross cultural and cross racial interfaces generated a new race which is far distant from so called Aryans. This race gradually influenced the southern part of India also. This race is called Hindu. So Hinduism is not as such a religion, rather it is a culture of a group of people who used to reside in this vast geography and practice common living hood. The English name “India” came from river “Indus”, which shows the origination of this whole culture. As Hindu culture was evolving, other religion like Budhism and Jainism was also originated in the historic past. Also, people of different religion invaded in India, amongst them Muslims were notable. Muslims not only invaded in India, but they also started living and formed a unique combination of society which echoes the spirit of Indian civilization: Unity in Diversity (as stated by great historian Vincent Smith in his famous book “An Oxford History of India”). At the end of medieval history, European invasion impacted the socio-cultural and economical orientation of India. A portion of historians also believe that Aryans are natural and original habitants of this great nation and the vedic culture had evolved by it's natural process in prehistoric time without any external influence. So the prehistoric development of India is more complex and dynamic in nature which needs more research.

Different cultures and linguistics have developed at different part of this vast demography from pre-historic age. But in general all the languages of Northern part of the country were originated from mother language Sanskrit. In modern India, in general, different states are divided as per these linguistic differences only; For example, major language of state “Maharastra” is “Marathi”, similarly “Oriya” is major language of “Orissa”, and “Hindi” is major language of state “Bihar”, “Uttarpradesh”, “Madhyapradesh” and “Bengali” is major language of state “West Bengal/ Pashchim Banga”.

Other than “Bengali”, other major language of West Bengal is “Nepali”, which is also close language to “Bengali”. Actually, the people who practice “Bengali” language are called “Bengali”. Bengaleses are living at vast area starting from present West Bengal, to Bangladesh. Also, people who reside at Tripura (North Eastern state of India) are also Bengali. Ofcourse, as Bengalese are living at vast area and have common language, so different dialects of Bengali language are practiced at different parts. At West Bengal, most of the people are Hindu by culture. But Muslims are also notably present at West Bengal.

Major festival of West Bengal is Durga Puja. Durga is a powerful goddess (Devi) as per Hindu Mythology. Devi Durga is the goddess for energy and power. She conquered a powerful evil (demon) with her ten hands. All other gods and goddesses had given their entire weapon and power to Devi Durga to fight against energetic evil “Mahis asur” (buffalo powered demon). As per Bengali belief devi durga resides in her inlaws house at Himalayan mountain with her husband god Shiva and during autumn season devi durga comes to her father’s house at plain land for four days. Every year astrologers declare 4 days in advance and these dates varies year to year. She comes to her father’s house along with her 2 daughters (Goddess of Treasure, Laxmi and Goddess of Education, Saraswati) and 2 sons (God of Prosperity, Ganesh and God of Youth, Kartik). Also, as per other school of hindu religion, Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartik are not her daughters or sons, rather they are Devi Durga’s colleague.

According to Hindu Saka calender (the lunar calender Hindus follow across the country) the actual Durga Puja falls in the month of March. But Durga Puja during autumn becomes more famous and popular. First such Puja, historically traced, was organized by Raja Nabakrishna Deb of Sovabazar Rajbari, Kolkata, in the year 1757. He had organized the same to celebrate British Ruler Lord Clive’s victory over Indian King Nawab Shiraj-Ud-Daulla.But later Indian freedom fighters symbolized Goddess Durga as their source of energy against british rules.

Historically concept of Durga Puja has evolved in many ways and it become world’s one of the most largest festival.

Authentic Form of Devi Durga (Model made of clay), Phorograph by Nirjhar Chakravorti

Today’s most authentic form of the Bengali Durga is that of a ten handed goddess, modelled out of clay, astride a lion. Each of those hands carry a separate weapon in them except two, which holds the spear which has been struck into the chest of the demon, Mahishasura. In her right side Idol of Ganesh and Laxmi are placed. In her left side idol of Saraswati and Kartik are placed. Now a days new form of Durga is also evolving thanks to creativity of artists.

New form of Devi Durga (made of clay), Photograph by Shipra Chakravorti

All other states also celebrate Durga Puja (Worshipping Durga), but this is a trade mark for Bengali culture. At West Bengal, not only Hindus or rather Bengali Hindus celebrate these 4 days, rather all other religions like Bengali Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and all others celebrate these 4 days with harmony and enthusiasm. So Durga Puja is an occasion to cherish for all Bengalese irrespective of their religion and belief. It is a brand for unity in diversity. Durga Puja is as international as Carnival at Brazil or Edinburg Festival of Scotland. It is less a religious occasion for Bengalese, rather it is more a joyous and festive.

Pandal for Devi Durga: A collection of Arts and Culture, Photograph by Shipra Chakravorti

Prayers at Temple; Photograph by Nirjhar Chakravorti

In earlier days only rich people used to organize Durga Puja in their houses and all the people of the locality used to gather and pray in that houses. But in modern days, all the localities of Bengal used to form Puja committee and organize Durga Puja. Some committees have permanent temple. But most of the temples are temporarily formed (called Pandal). The trend of "Pandal" culture had gained popularity since 70s of twenteeth century. Every villages and towns and city has multiple Durga Puja temples. Also, every Puja Committee tries to make innovation in formation of temples. Decoration and lighting reaches in new high every year. Also, many committees try to form different shapes of Devi Durga model. Also different temples of a city or town or village used to compete with each other with respect to their innovation, creativity and arts. Varous Puja Committees organize lunch or dinner for the locality during the 4 days. For Durga Puja, all the families try to buy new clothes for every members of family, as per economic condition. New design for Saree (traditional Bengali dress for women) and other clothes come into market. Music companies release new musics and songs for Durga Puja. Publishers publish new books for the occasion which comprises collection from famous and new writers, painters and poets. During these four days people used to come on streets and roam from one temple to other temple and enjoy foods outside. In general, Bengali people are food-loving. They also love sweets. So Bengalese celebrates these four days with yummy foods and sweets. Bengalese who resides outside West Bengal or Tripura, also used to celebrate Durga Puja, in their typical style.