Get ready for the grand Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata in 2024, which will commence with Devi Paksha on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. As per tradition, the auspicious day of Mahalaya will bring the Goddess Durga to earth, ending the Pitru Paksha and beginning the Durgotsav. This will be followed by five days of festivities, starting on October 9 and concluding on October 13. Pay tribute to your ancestors in the morning and welcome the Goddess with unwavering devotion in the evening, as Kolkata stirs to life with the enchanting voice of Mahishasuramardini on the radio sets.
Durga Puja: The Grand Celebration of Kolkata
Durga Puja, the grandest festival of West Bengal, holds a special significance in the city of Kolkata. The festival is an annual celebration of the victory of good over evil, as depicted in the Hindu mythological tale of Goddess Durga's triumph over the demon king Mahishasura.
Background
Durga Puja has its roots in ancient Bengal, where it was celebrated as the festival of Devi Paksha or the fortnight of the goddess. Over time, it evolved into a grand public event, becoming one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar.
In Kolkata, Durga Puja is celebrated with unparalleled enthusiasm and devotion. The city transforms into a dazzling spectacle, adorned with vibrant pandals (temporary shrines) and illuminated streets. Thousands of devotees flock to the pandals to pay homage to the Goddess Durga and witness the elaborate rituals.
Durga Puja 2024
The auspicious Durga Puja 2024 will commence with Devi Paksha on October 2nd, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. Mahalaya, the day marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on earth, will fall on October 9th. The five days of festivities will commence on October 9th and conclude on October 13th.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. When does Durga Puja 2024 start and end?
Answer: Durga Puja 2024 will start on October 9th and end on October 13th.
2. What is the significance of Mahalaya?
Answer: Mahalaya is the day when Goddess Durga arrives on earth, ending the Pitru Paksha and beginning Durgotsav.
3. What are pandals and what is their significance?
Answer: Pandals are temporary shrines erected in various neighborhoods during Durga Puja. They house the idols of Goddess Durga and her family and are elaborately decorated with themes and artworks.
4. What are the rituals performed during Durga Puja?
Answer: The main rituals include Anjali (worship), Pushpanjali (flower offering), Bhog (food offerings), and Sindoor Khela (vermilion play).
5. What is the significance of Sindoor Khela?
Answer: Sindoor Khela is a ritual performed on the last day of Durga Puja, where women apply vermilion on each other's faces, symbolizing the Goddess's return to her husband's home after the festival.
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