Durga Puja is a five-day festival that celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and her visit to her earthly home with her children.
Durga Puja is one of the most popular and auspicious festivals of Hindus, especially in the eastern and northeastern parts of India. It is celebrated to worship Goddess Durga, the supreme power who defeated the demon Mahishasura and restored peace and harmony in the universe. Durga Puja is also known as Durgotsava or Sharadotsav, as it is celebrated in the autumn season (Sharad) every year. Durga Puja is a five-day festival that begins on the sixth day (Shashti) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashwin and ends on the tenth day (Dashami), which coincides with Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra. In 2023, Durga Puja will start from Friday, October 20 and end on Tuesday, October 24.
Durga Puja 2023: Date
The dates and tithis of Durga Puja 2023 are as follows:
- Maha Panchami (Preparation Day): October 19, 2023 (Thursday)
- Panchami Tithi Begins: 01:12 AM
- Panchami Tithi Ends: 12:31 AM (October 20)
- Maha Shashti (Bondhon): October 20, 2023 (Friday)
- Shashti Tithi Begins: 12:31 AM
- Shashti Tithi Ends: 11:24 PM
- Maha Saptami (Anjali): October 21, 2023 (Saturday)
- Saptami Tithi Begins: 11:24 PM (October 20)
- Saptami Tithi Ends: 09:53 PM
- Maha Ashtami (Kumari Puja): October 22, 2023 (Sunday)
- Ashtami Tithi Begins: 09:53 PM (October 21)
- Ashtami Tithi Ends: 07:58 PM
- Maha Navami (Dhunuchi Dance and Sandhi Puja): October 23, 2023 (Monday)
- Navami Tithi Begins: 07:58 PM (October 22)
- Navami Tithi Ends: 05:44 PM
- Vijaya Dashami (Sindur Khela, Visarjan and Bijoya): October 24, 2023 (Tuesday)
- Dashami Tithi Begins: 05:44 PM (October 23)
- Dashami Tithi Ends: 03:14 PM (October 24)
Durga Puja 2023: Puja Vidhi
The puja vidhi or rituals of Durga Puja vary from region to region and community to community. However, some of the common rituals are:
- Bodhon: This is the ritual of invoking Goddess Durga’s presence in the idol or image on Maha Shashti. The idol is usually covered with a cloth until this ritual is performed. The priest chants mantras and performs aarti to welcome the goddess.
- Anjali: This is the ritual of offering flowers and prayers to Goddess Durga on Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. The devotees fold their hands and recite mantras along with the priest.
- Kumari Puja: This is the ritual of worshipping a young girl as a symbol of Goddess Durga on Maha Ashtami. The girl is dressed in a red saree and adorned with flowers and jewelry. She is offered sweets, fruits and gifts by the devotees.
- Sandhi Puja: This is the ritual of worshipping Goddess Durga as Chamunda, who killed the demons Chanda and Munda on Maha Ashtami. The puja is performed at the juncture of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami tithis. The priest offers 108 lotuses and lights 108 lamps to the goddess.
- Dhunuchi Naach: This is the ritual of performing a dance with a clay pot filled with burning coconut husks and incense on Maha Navami. The dancers hold the pot in their hands or balance it on their head while moving to the beats of drums.
- Sindur Khela: This is the ritual of applying vermillion or sindur to Goddess Durga and each other by married women on Vijaya Dashami. The women also exchange sweets and blessings for a happy married life.
- Visarjan: This is the ritual of immersing the idol or image of Goddess Durga in a water body on Vijaya Dashami. The devotees bid farewell to the goddess with tears and joy, hoping for her return next year.
- Bijoya: This is the ritual of greeting and embracing each other with the words “Shubho Bijoya” or “Happy Victory” on Vijaya Dashami. The devotees also visit their relatives and friends and share sweets and gifts.
Durga Puja 2023: Celebration
Durga Puja is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by the devotees across India and abroad. The celebration includes:
- Pandal Hopping: This is the activity of visiting various pandals or temporary structures that house the idols or images of Goddess Durga and her children. The pandals are decorated with themes ranging from traditional to contemporary, and showcase the artistic and cultural talents of the organizers.
- Cultural Programs: This is the activity of enjoying various cultural programs such as music, dance, drama, recitation, etc. that are organized by the pandal committees or other groups during the festival. The programs feature both classical and modern forms of art and entertainment.
- Food: This is the activity of relishing various delicacies that are prepared and served during the festival. The food includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, such as khichuri, labra, bhog, luchi, alur dom, payesh, sandesh, rasgulla, etc. The food also reflects the regional and community preferences of the devotees.
- Shopping: This is the activity of buying new clothes, accessories, gifts, etc. for oneself and others before or during the festival. The markets are filled with colorful and festive items that attract the shoppers.
Durga Puja 2023: Significance
Durga Puja is a festival that signifies the victory of good over evil, as Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura who had terrorized the gods and humans. The festival also signifies the power of women, as Goddess Durga represents Shakti or the feminine energy that creates, sustains and destroys the universe. The festival also signifies the bond of love and devotion between Goddess Durga and her children, as she descends from her heavenly abode to visit her earthly home every year. The festival also signifies the joy of life, as the devotees celebrate with happiness and gratitude for all the blessings they have received from the goddess.
Durga Puja 2023: Important Points
Some of the important points to remember while celebrating Durga Puja are:
- Follow Covid-19 Guidelines: As the pandemic is still not over, it is advisable to follow the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government and health authorities while celebrating Durga Puja. These include wearing masks, maintaining social distance, avoiding large gatherings, sanitizing hands frequently, etc.
- Respect The Environment: As Durga Puja involves immersing idols or images of Goddess Durga in water bodies, it is important to respect the environment and avoid polluting it. It is preferable to use eco-friendly materials for making idols or images, such as clay, paper, wood, etc. It is also preferable to immerse them in artificial ponds or tanks instead of natural water bodies.
- Donate To The Needy: As Durga Puja is a festival of giving and sharing, it is a good gesture to donate to the needy and less fortunate people in society. It can be in the form of money, food, clothes, books, toys, etc. It can also be in the form of volunteering for social causes or organizations that help others.
- Spread Happiness And Peace: As Durga Puja is a festival of happiness and peace, it is a good idea to spread them among others. It can be by greeting and wishing everyone with a smile, forgiving and forgetting past grudges, helping and supporting those in need, etc.
Durga Puja is a festival that celebrates the divine power of Goddess Durga and her love for her children. It is a festival that brings joy, peace and prosperity to the devotees and the society. It is a festival that showcases the rich culture and heritage of India and its people. Durga Puja is a festival that inspires us to overcome the evil forces within and outside us and to live in harmony with ourselves and others.
