Durga Puja is the one of the most prominent festivals in the country. It is extensively celebrated in the Northern and Eastern states of the country especially in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura. In Bengal, the Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and show. The grandeur of the Puja turns Calcutta into a new city during the last four days of the festival from Maha-Shashti (the sixth day), the day of Bodhon on Maha-Shashti to the day when the idols are immersed in the rivers, lakes and seas on the evening of Dashami. It is also known by the names of ‘Navratra’ and ‘Durgostab’.

The Durga Puja is celebrated for ten days including the last day when the idol of the Goddess is immersed in a sacred water body. It is believed that the Mother Goddess descends to the Earth on Shashthi, the sixth day of the Puja and returns to her abode on Dashmi, the tenth day of the Puja. The fresh and cool air of the pleasant winters, the clear skies, mildly fragrant Shiuli (a type of flower), the bountiful harvest in the fields and chanting of mantras and shlokas to worship Shakti, all collectively set up the scene for the ten-day long festival of Durga Puja. The preparations are done long before the festival to clean and decorate homes, buy gifts for fiends and relatives and new clothes for the celebrations and prepare mouth-watering delicacies for the occasion.

However, Durgapuja festival is not merely religious in nature. With time, it has acquired the status of the biggest social event of the region as Bengalis use this time to socialize and make big plans for the four days of Durga Puja. Dances and performances organized, feasts and music reign the festivities and it is also the time for the teens and youths to catch up on the latest fashion trends, designer clothes, trendy footwear and catchy accessories. Businessmen certainly cash in the festival and sales, discounts, free gifts jazz up the spirits of the people. Shopping spree and traditional Bengali sweets help to loosen up the festive side of the people. In short, Durga Puja is not only for the transition from the dull to a life of fun and gaiety but also to share this joy and happiness with friends and relatives.

Different Names of Durga Puja Festival :
Durga Puja festival is known and celebrated with different names in in various parts of India like: in Bengal, Durga Pooja is also known as Akalbodhan (untimely awakening of Durga), Durgotsab (festival of Durga), Maayer Pujo (worship of the Mother). Durga Puja festival is also called Navratri Puja in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi. It is celebrated as Kullu Dussehra in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh.

When is Durga Puja :
Durga Pooja is celebrated twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra (April-May) and then in Ashwin (September-October). On both Occasionss nine different forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped threfore called Durga Navratri (nine nights). According to the Hindu Calendar Durga Puja festival starts on the first day and ends on tenth day of bright half (Shukla Paksha) of Ashwin month.

In year 2009 Durga Puja festival will be celebrated from 25th Sepetember and finishes on 29th September.


Celebrations of Durga Puja Festival :
Durga puja is celebrated extensively all over India but West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar are the states where beautiful idols of the Mother Goddess are worshipped in elaborate pandals, durga temples for nine days, and on the tenth day, these are carried out in procession for visarjan (immersion) in a river or pond.

The festivities start with the first day called Mahalaya. It is also the day of the beginning of the countdown to the Durga Puja. The face of the goddess remains covered until the bodhon (unveiling) ritual is performed on Sasthi - the sixth day of the moon. Fast is observed on this day by women for the well being of their families.

The Goddess is worshipped as a kumari or young girl, and reveals herself in her true form Mahasaptami (the seventh day of the moon). On Mahastami (eighth day) and Mahanavami (ninth day) the celebrations reach a fever pitch. New shining clothes, smiling faces, dancing devotees, chantings of Mantras, spectacular display of lights and the rhythmic beat of dhak (drums) adds excitement to the festive Occasions. On Vijay Dashami (tenth day) the idol of Durga is immersed in water after performing customary rituals. The ten-armed goddess dazzles the devotees with her splendour and appearance of fiery valour during her short stay every year.