The greatest festival of West Bengal, Durga Puja to be held on the 21st and 22nd October, celebrates victory of good over evil
21 Oct 2023
Event
Durga Puja is unique on a social, cultural, and aesthetic level. It is Bengal's largest socio-cultural celebration that transcends all boundaries. It is true that this cultural legacy has only gotten stronger with time. The majority of academics agree that Bengal's Durga Puja originated in the medieval period, or at least the eleventh century AD; however, Bengal defied convention by holding the ceremony in the autumn rather than the spring as it was intended. The hero of the Ramayana, Lord Rama, is said to have started the unusual rite when he conducted the puja in the autumn to aid in his battle against the evil king Ravana.
Durga Puja, which was formerly the domain of wealthy noble families, most likely originated in Bengal in the 16th century. At the end of the 16th century, a celebrated zamindar named Raja Kangsanarayan hosted an extravagant celebration at Taherpur, Nadia district, at an expense of about Rs 8 lakh. He was followed by other landed aristocracy. An ancestor of the renowned Raja Krishnachandra Roy, Bhabananda Majumdar of Nadia, conducted a puja in 1606. The first Durga Puja in Kolkata was presumably held in 1610, according to Laxmikanta Majumdar, the ancestor of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family.
The biggest celebration in West Bengal is Durga Puja, a time when socioeconomic and religious divides disappear. The celebration honours the triumph of good over evil since, according to tradition, Goddess Durga killed the demon king Mahishasura to achieve her victory. It's widely accepted that the Goddess uses this period to bless her followers on Earth. For the Bengali people, Durga Puja is very important.
Thanks to the popularity of "theme pujas," where everything from the idols themselves to the temporary pandal that houses the goddess is themed, Durga Puja in Kolkata now features amazing demonstrations of artistic passion.
Renowned sculptors, lighting designers, and artists are frequently enlisted to produce the pandals, illuminations, and idols. Several groups provide prizes for every facet of the event, ranging from eco-friendliness to idol design. Over a span of five days, starting from Sasthi and concluding with Dashami, Kolkata grinds to a complete halt as countless individuals swarm the pandals donning vibrant festive attire. The mesmerising beats of the ancient Bengali drum, the "dhaak," create an atmosphere of joyous carnivalism, drawing crowds to the streets at all hours of the day.
Organized By:
Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal
Thendhup N. Sherpa
New Secretariat Building, 1 KS Roy Road Kolkata
03322625975
https://www.wbtourism.gov.in/
How to reach:
The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which is 15 KMs away.
The nearest convenient railway station is Howrah, which is 4 KMs away.
The nearest major city is Kolkata, which is 0KMs away.
Event Details:
Venue Address: Entire State of West Bengal
Date & Time: 21 Oct 2023 - 22 Oct 2023
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Ticket Information: Free
