Durga Puja is the biggest festival dedicated Mother Durga in Hinduism. The main pujas, festivities, sacrifice, and rituals are spread over five days. Durga Puja 2018 date and time is from October 15 to October 19. The Durga Puja traditionally begins on the Mahalaya in Ashwin month, a day when Chandi Stotram is recited as an invitation for Goddess Durga to descend to earth. In 2018, Mahalaya is on October 8 in Bengali Calendars. Durga Puja 2018 dates in India as per Bengali Calendar October 8, 2018 — Shubho Mahalaya There is great happiness when she arrives and sadness when she returns on the Dasami day. Story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura The main story associated with Durga Puja is that of Goddess Durga annihilating Demon Mahishasura. The demon performed penance for years and got the boon from Lord Brahma that he would only be killed by a woman. To gain noble virtues, all evil tendencies in the mind must be destroyed. This destruction is represented by Goddess Durga. The buffalo stands for tamoguna, the quality of laziness, darkness, ignorance, and inertia. We have all these qualities and they crop up from time to time. Although we may have a lot of energy and potential inside us, we prefer to do nothing — just like the buffalo that loves only to lie in pools of water. Lord Kartikeya is shown mounted on a peacock. Why is Durga Puja Observed? Goddess Durga symbolizes the unity of all the good powers on earth. She removes the dirt accumulated in human mind due to Tamas inertia and Rajas passion. During her annual arrival, she removes all that is evil and Adharma. She blesses her devotees with Sattva Purity. Her annual arrival symbolizes destruction of evil and ushering in of peace, happiness, prosperity, fertility, abundance of food and good health. Mahalaya is an invitation for Goddess Durga to descend on to the earth. The day is spent in chanting mantras and singing bhajans. Mahalaya is also the last day of the Pitru Paksha. Prayers are offered to dead ancestors on this day during pre-dawn hours through the Tarpan ritual. Durga Puja Sashti - Sixth Day Nabapatrika, also known as Nava Patrika, are the nine leaves worshipped during Durga Puja. It begins on the Sashti day. The leaves are also known as Nine Durgas. Nabapatrika symbolize nine goddess worshipped in Hinduism. Ashta Shakti - Eight Forms of Durga Worshipped Ashta Shakti, eight shaktis, are the various forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Durga Puja. The Pran Prathishta, or life, is breathed into the idol of Goddess Durga. The ritual is performed on the Ghats of a river or pond. The idol of Goddess Durga is not taken to the pond instead; life is symbolically transferred from water to plantain tree. Special pujas and worship on the eighth day include Ugrachandadi puja, Chatushashthi Yogini puja — 64 yoginis, worship of numerous other goddesses including Koti Yogini, Nava Durga, tutelary deities, nine forms of Bhairava, and multiple forms of Durga. Pujas are also offered to Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Mahishasura. Attention to detail and the epic art direction makes many pandals stand apart from the other. The first community Durga Puja was held here in 1910 when the city was Calcutta and was the capital of British India. Durga Puja Starts on Rath Yatra Day for Mitra Sammelani Club in Siliguri Durga Puja at Siliguri organized by Mitra Sammelani Club begins on the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra day. This is 90 days before the original Durga Puja. Cultural programs, a variety of food including traditional food items, lights, fairs and get-together of friends, neighbors, relatives and family members sums up Durga Puja. Sindoor Khela and Kolakuli during Durga Puja Visarjan Sindoor Khela and Kolakuli are two important aspects of Durga Puja visarjan — bidding farewell to Goddess Durga.
