Durga Puja
Durga Puja is the biggest and grandest religious event of the Hindu community. It is also called Saradiya Puja as it is celebrated in Bengali month Sarad (Autumn). The puja is celebrated with great festivity across the country. Durga Puja marks the teaching of universal joy and rejoicing. People of the Hindu community wear new clothes and exchange greetings to each other. They also prepare special foods on the occasion. Durga Puja is named after the goddess Durga, the symbol of power. She is presented as riding a lion and fighting the demon (f) with ten weapons in her ten hands. She is seen to have one foot on the back of the lion and the other on the shoulder of the enemy. She is escorted by Saraswati, the goddess of learning (Bidya Devi) and Kartick, the god of war on her left. Then Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune and Gonesh, the god of wisdom and success are on the right.
Durga, the goddess, is said to have appeared to punish 'Mahisasura' the symbol of powerful evil. The core of the puja is called Saptami which begins the next day. The puja continues for three days when the goddess is offered flowers, fruits, rice, etc. In the name of the goddess, he-goats are also sacrificed. The puja ends on the 10th day of the moon called Bijaya Dashami. Sixth to tenth day in the month of Ashwin which is called Shulk Paksha, these days respectively. Durga Puja is held on five days named "Durgashtami", "Durgasaptami", "Mahastami", "Mahanvami" and "Vijayadashmi".
Finally, the images of Durga are drowned in water. Before that the devotees bring out processions with the images leading to the river. The procession is escorted by musical bands, dances, etc. The water of peace is spread over the devotee. This is symbolic of friendship taught by the occasion. Indian subcontinental state is secular. Hence, Hindus fearlessly practice their religion and maintain good relations and cooperation with people of other religions.
Durga Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year in the regions of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan where Hindu people live. It is not only a festival but also has economic value. Every year during Durga Puja, goods and services worth thousands of crores of rupees are bought and sold, which is of economic importance. Durga Puja is the most important festival of the Hindu community. It has a great significance in their life. The occasion of Durga Puja preaches universal love and peace against enmity and ill-feelings.
Question:
- What is Durga Puja?
- When is Durga Puja celebrated?
- What is Durga's vehicle?
- How many hands does Durga have?
- Why did Durga come down to earth?
- What is the lesson people learn from Durga Puja?
- How many pujas are performed from the sixth to the tenth day and What are they?
- How should people of other religions be treated?
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