About Durga Puja
Durga puja is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is celebrated in honor of Durga, the Hindu goddess of war, strength and protection. Durga puja is a week-long festival that includes religious ceremonies, processions and festive music. The festival is celebrated in different parts of the country, but it is most popular in the eastern states of India. Durga puja is also known as the Great Durga Puja festival.
Who started Durga Puja?
Nabakrishna Deb started Durga Puja in 1757 at Shobhabazar Rajbari. He established a pattern for worship, which became a fashion and status symbol among the up-and-coming merchant class of Kolkata. The number of Britishers attending the family Durga Puja became an indicator of prestige.
Why do we celebrate Durga Puja?
Durga Puja celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. It begins on the same day as Navaratri, a nine-night festival in many northern and western states that more broadly celebrates the divine feminine (shakti). The first day of Durga Puja is Mahalaya, which heralds the arrival of the goddess.
How Goddess Durga was created ?
According to legend, Durga was created by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and smaller deities to slay the buffalo demon Mahishasura, who were otherwise powerless to drive her away. Embodying their collective energy (Shakti), she is derived from the Purusha Devas and is the real source of their inner strength.