Durga Puja in Kolkata 2019 | Durgotsav Festival Event in Kolkata 2019
Durga Puja in Kolkata 2019: Durga Puja is one of the most famous festivals celebrated in West Bengal and particularly in Kolkata, in honor of Goddess Durga during the Navaratri period. It is celebrated for 10 days, however, from the sixth day to the ninth day, the Pandals with the great idols of Goddess Durga are open for visitors. The tenth day, also known as Dashami, marks the Visarjan (immersion in water) of the idol with great celebrations and processions. This year, Durga Puja 2019 starts on October 3 and will continue until October 8. However, the Durga Puja 2019 celebrations in Kolkata begin early, with Durga Mahalaya on September 28 and Visarjan on October 8.
About Durga Pooja
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga emerged from the collective energy of all gods as an incarnation of Shakti or divine feminine power, to destroy the demon Mahishasura; who was blessed for not being defeated by any man or god. The name Durga in Sanskrit means "the impenetrable"; she exists in a state of self-reliance and supreme power. This powerful form of Mother Goddess is very revered in Kolkata, so her return is celebrated with great grandeur and ceremonies.
If you are in Kolkata during Durga Pooja, these are the popular characteristics of the great celebrations, you should not miss. The preparations for the festival are as fascinating as the festival itself. A week before the festival, the city prepares and can be seen with a look of enthusiasm and emotion as it prepares to receive the Goddess at home.
Durga Puja Dates 2019
Mahalaya, First day September 28, 2019 Saturday
Panchmi, Fifth day October 3, 2019 Thursday
Shashthi, Sixth day October 4, 2019 Friday
Saptami, Seventh day October 5, 2019 Saturday
Ashtami, Eight and largest day October 6, 2019 Sunday
Nabami, Ninth day October 7, 2019 Monday
Dashmi, Tenth day October 8, 2019 Tuesday
Chokkhu Daan - The day Goddess Durga's eyes are painted for Durga Puja in Kolkata
Durga Puja in Kolkata has its own unique rituals. One week before Navratri begins; The idols of Goddess Durga are being painted and prepared, except the eyes. On the occasion of Mahalaya, the Goddess is invited to the earth with rituals and, on this day, the eyes are fixed on the idols in an auspicious ritual called Chokku Daan. It is believed that the Goddess descends to earth when calling attention to idols. Kumartuli or potters' town is a famous place in northern Kolkata, where most idols are made.
The procession to bring the deity: Durga Puja 2019 in Kolkata
On the sixth day of Navaratri, that is, the first day of Durga Puja 2019; Beautifully decorated idols are taken home or in superbly decorated public pandas. The idol is decorated with flowers, clothes, jewelry, red vermilion and various sweets are stored in front of the Goddess. The idol of the Goddess is accompanied by the idol of Lord Ganesh. Goddess Durga is considered to be the avatar of Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva and, therefore, the mother of Lord Ganesh and her brother Kartikeya.
The ritual of Pran Pratishta - Kola Bou Bath
This is the ritual of invoking the presence of the Goddess in the idol. This occurs on the seventh day, when it is early in the morning; A small banana plant called Kola Bou is taken to the river to be bathed and dressed in a red-edge sari and taken back in a procession to be placed near the Goddess idol. This is followed by ritual prayers and puja, which will take place during all the remaining days of the festival. There are also many cultural activities that take place as part of the celebrations. People come together to dance, sing, perform theater and traditional works.
Dashami - The last day of Durga Puja
The tenth day of the Durga Puja 2019 festival is called Dashami; It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga won the victory over the Devil and thus restored balance on earth. It is also known as Vijayadashami. On this day, Goddess Durga is worshiped and many things are offered while she is ready to leave. Highly enthusiastic devotees gather in large numbers to join the procession that takes the Goddess to the ghats to dive into the water. Women, especially married women, begin the procession by first applying a red door or vermilion powder on the Goddess and then between them. It is said to be a symbol of marriage and fertility. The immersion of the idol is similar to the immersion of the Ganesha idol during Ganesh Chaturti. Babu Ghat is one of the popular places for immersion located near Eden Garden.
Durga Pooja Pandals, Decorations and Food
Gorgeously decorated pandas each emphasize a theme; either the legends of goddess Durga or scenes of epic Hindu texts. Today, some pandales have as their theme a social cause to spread awareness. However, during the day it is usually better to see the pandals when the crowd is smaller; The brightly lit pandales in hundreds of colors are a show in the afternoon. The 10 famous Kolkata Durga Puja Pandals are:
*Ekdalia Evergreen: Created in 1943, it is famous for replicating temples throughout India through its works of art. It is located in Gariaghat, south of the city.
Bagbazar: located in the north of Kolkata, along with the river. He is approximately 100 years old and focuses on simplicity and traditional rituals.
*Kumartuli Park: Established in 1995 (near Bagbazar, so you can visit them at once) and famous for ingenious themes, the idols are handmade
*College Square: created in 1948 by a lake in the center of Kolkata (off the MG road), its illumination and reflected beauty is what is said about the city.
*Mohammad Ali Park: Started in 1969 on the MG road, this place is famous for exhibiting the beautiful architecture of the monuments. Club this place with university square.
*Suruchi Sangha: famous for representing a state of India through its works of art and facilities, even idols are modeled accordingly. He is 50 years old and is located in New Alipore, South Kolkata.
*Santosh Mitra Square: established in 1936 in the Bow Bazar area, it was formerly known as Sealdah Sarbojanin Durgotsav. He is famous for his display of beautifully intricate works of art.
*Bose Pukur Sitala Mandir: Winner of multiple awards, and famous for displaying rural Bengal through motifs, idols and works of art. It is located in Bose Pukar Kasba in the south of the city and is a must see.
*Jodhpur Park: Another popular pandal, this one has a wide range of themes and surprises with a unique element every year. It is located near Jadavpur Thana in South Kolkata.
*Badamtala Ashar Sangha: This place in Kalighat, South Kolkata, a favorite of many people and quite old (75 years), won a prize for creative excellence in 2010.
Food is an important feature of the Kolkata Durga Puja festival and Kolkata is reputed to be a paradise for food lovers. Indeed, in such a large festival, you will surely find the most delicious and incredible variety of Bengali cuisine. From snacks and sweet dishes for which only Calcutta is famous; to the special themed Bhog meals of Kolkata Durga Puja that have a bit of everything. All pandals offer Bhog (offerings made to Goddess Durga which is then distributed among devotees) and community kitchens are also organized.
If you want to enjoy the delicacies offered by the place, you can read Street Food of Kolkata.
This great social event of Durga Puja 2019 shows the beautiful culture of the Bengalis in India. The nights during Kolkata Durga Puja witness the streets full of thousands of people, both locals and tourists, who come to see the great beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Durga, to offer their prayers, eat at the many stalls that appear on the streets and Take part in the great celebrations to honor the victory of Goddess Durga over evil.
For the uninitiated, this could be a lot to assimilate. Therefore, the easiest way to participate in the festivities and enjoy the most is to take a tour of the Durga Puja festival. Many of these tours are organized by the government and private agencies alike, the most prominent being the Tourism Development Corporation of West Bengal. In addition to this, Belur Math in Kolkata also has a comprehensive Durga Puja ritual program.