Durga Puja 2021: Date, significance and celebration
Durga Puja is one of the most significant festivals celebrated with full fervour and enthusiasm in India. This year, Navratri will begin on October 7, 2021, and ends on October 15, 2021. Read on to know more about the festival.
Durga Puja 2021: Durga Puja is a famous Hindu festival mostly celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha and Bihar. It is believed that this festival exemplifies the victory of good over evil, as Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasur.
The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated for ten days in the Ashwin month. However, in the actual sense, the festival commences from the sixth day. It is believed that on this day only Goddess Durga came on Earth.
The five days of Durga Puja are observed as Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. Each day has its own meaning and significance. The first day of Durga Puja festival is known as Mahalaya. It is said that on the day of Mahalaya there was a clash between the demons and devas.
This year Navratri will begin on October 7, 2021, and ends on October 15, 2021. Read on to know more about the festival.
Durga Puja Day 1: October 11 (Monday) Shashthi
As per mythology, on the 6th day (Maha Shashti) Goddess Durga landed on earth with her 4 children: Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya.
On the eve of Maha Shashti, the face of the idol of Goddess Durga is unveiled and rituals are performed. Drums known as 'Dhaak' are banged on every pandal.
Bilva Nimantran
Kalparambha
Akal Bodhon
Amantran and Adhivas
Durga Puja Day 2: October 12 (Tuesday) Maha Saptami
On Maha Saptami, the Maha puja is performed. Before the sun rises, a banana tree is submerged in holy water and then it is covered with a new sari just like a newlywed woman (Kola bou).
Navpatrika Puja
Kolabou Puja
Durga Puja Day 3: October 13 (Wednesday) Maha Ashtami
As per mythology, it is believed that Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura on Maha Ashtami. On this day devotees offer their prayers to the goddess known as 'Anjali'. Girls that are less than 9 years are depicted as Goddess Durga and are worshipped. This ritual is known as 'Kumari Puja'. After this, the 'Sandhi puja' is performed.
Durga Ashtami
Kumari Puja
Sandhi Puja
Durga Puja Day 4: October 14 (Thursday) Navami
After the 'Sandhi puja' ends, Maha Navami begins. On the eve of 'Maha Navami' 'Maha arati' is performed.
Maha Navami
Durga Balidan
Navami Homa
Durga Puja Day 5: October 15 (Friday) Vijay Dashami
Vijaya Dashami is the last day of the festival. After 'ghat visarjan' (a symbolic immersion of Durga declaring the end of the Puja rituals) women perform Sindoor Khela means 'vermillion game'.
After that on the eve of Maha Dashami, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in the holy water of river Ganges. Before the immersion, processions are carried out by the worshippers on trucks with the beating of drums which is accompanied by singing and dancing. Durga Visarjan
Vijayadashami
Sindoor Utsav
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