Durga Puja Guide 2023: Durga Puja is a major festival celebrated by Hindus across India and the world. It is a time to worship Goddess Durga, the supreme mother of the universe, and celebrate her victory over the evil demon Mahishasura. Durga Puja is also a cultural and social event, where people enjoy various activities such as pandal hopping, cultural performances, food, and fun. Here are some tips and information to help you enjoy Durga Puja 2023:
- Durga Puja 2023 will start on October 20 (Friday) and end on October 24 (Tuesday). The main days of the festival are Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami. Each day has its own significance and rituals. You can find the detailed date, time, and tithi of each day in this article.
- Durga Puja is celebrated in different ways in different regions of India. In West Bengal, Kolkata, Bihar, Tripura, Assam, and Odisha, it is the biggest festival of the year. People set up elaborate pandals or temporary structures to house the idols of Goddess Durga and her four children: Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kartikeya. The pandals are decorated with various themes and motifs, ranging from traditional to modern. People visit different pandals to admire the creativity and craftsmanship of the artists. You can find some of the most unique and innovative pandals in this video.
- Durga Puja is also a time to participate in various rituals and traditions that honour the goddess and seek her blessings. Some of the common rituals are Pushpanjali (offering flowers), Aroti (waving lamps), Dhunuchi Naach (dancing with clay pots), Kumari Puja (worshipping young girls), Sandhi Puja (marking the transition between Ashtami and Navami), Sindur Khela (playing with vermilion), and Visarjan (immersing the idols). You can learn more about these rituals and their meanings in this blog.
- Durga Puja is also a time to enjoy cultural activities such as dance, music, drama, and art. Many pandals host cultural programs where artists perform various forms of entertainment. You can also witness folk dances such as Chhau, Bihu, Garba, and Dandiya during this festival. You can also indulge in some of the delicious food that is prepared during this festival. Some of the popular dishes are Khichuri, Luchi, Aloo Dum, Mishti Doi, Rosogolla, Sandesh, and Puchka. You can also try some of the regional delicacies such as Bhog (a communal feast), Kosha Mangsho (mutton curry), Ilish Maach (Hilsa fish), Cholar Dal (Bengal gram), and Luchi Payesh (sweetened milk with fried bread).
- Durga Puja is also a time to share your joy and happiness with your family and friends. You can send them your best wishes and greetings with some of these messages and images from this article or this article. You can also use the Kintree app to create and share your family tree, coordinate events, and upload photos from the festive season.
I hope this guide helps you to have a wonderful Durga Puja 2023. May Goddess Durga bless you and your family with peace, prosperity, and happiness. Shubho Durga Pujo! 🙏