Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Different Kinds of Durga Puja

Durga Puja is not only limited in the Bengali circles it is celebrated with pomp and grandeur by almost every section of people irrespective of caste and creed. The images may be different but the motto is one, to worship the goddess of might in any way. The Puja rituals vary from one state to another as India is land of diverse communities. But the worship of the mother is done with solemnity at every corner of the country.

Durga Puja in West Bengal is a yearly festival of five days. The Bengalis all over the world are beside themselves with joy when the moment of the Puja comes. The mother is worshipped here as an idol with ten hands, carrying different arms in each hand. She is fierce looking while slaying the demon Mahisasur. There are various stories regarding the inception of Durga Puja in Bengal. Still whatever they may be Durga Puja in Bengal is unmatched.

In Punjab the people basically observe Navaratri. There goes a ritual of drinking milk for consecutive seven days and to break the fasting on the day of the Navami. They too worship the idol of Durga and celebrate the Puja days with feast and frolic. Some take food once and help the beggars with different gifts. The custom of worshipping little girls as the embodiments of Shakti or Power is prevalent as in West Bengal.

Gujarati people worship Devi Amba and celebrate Navaratri. Every Gujarati celebrates the festive occasion with Dandia dance or Garba dance round the clock.

In Kerala the Durga Puja denotes the time of initiating education among the children between the age group three to five. Here the Puja continues for ten days.

In Maharashtra the Durga Puja is celebrated with solemnity. Everyday a garland is placed before the goddess. On the ninth day the garlands are removed together.

No comments: