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Durga Puja
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The public celebration of Durga Puja was a reaction to the restrictive and hierarchical practices of the household pujas. It was said that during three main days of the puja at the Deb household in north Kolkata only the British were invited to the meals. Uninvited guests or trespassers were kept out of the household domain. While entertainment during the puja was free for the masses, entry into the domestic realm was restricted. Along with the opulent display of the household pujas of the collaborating elite, the public worship of Durga ... became prominent in the city. By the first decade of the 20th century the baroari puja had become sarbojanin (for everyone), with the entire para (neighbourhood) or community involved.
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Durga Puja is the biggest festival of the Bengalis and is celebrated with full zest and fervour in Bengal. It is no longer a religious festival, it is now a great social festival. Visitors can see that during the festival, Bengalis socialize in a great way. They can be seen preparing for this great event a month or two in advance and can be seen busy for welcoming relatives, friends, purchasing clothes, gifts, preparing sweets and giving new look to their homes. Puja pandals are the main attractions during the festival and can be seen at every street corner.The exquisite pandals made in a grand manner depict the architectural splendors, leaving the viewers awe-struck. The light work in the pandals are ... superb.
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Durga Puja commences on the day after mahalaya, usually on the last day of the waning or new moon, sometime in September or October. On mahalaya, melodious strains of agomoni (welcoming) and chandi path (readings from chandi, a religious Hindu text) exude from radios and television sets. The countdown to the final days of the Puja itself begins from the day of mahalaya. This is around the period when people indulge in last minute shopping sprees. So if you don’t like crowds, this is not the time to visit markets, especially in Bengal.
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In Kerala, Durga Puja signifies the beginning of formal education for every child aged 3-5 years. While puja goes on in the temple for all ten days, it is only the concluding three days which are really important. Ashtami is the day of Ayudya Puja, when all the tools at home are worshiped. Custom dictates that no tools be used on this day. On navami, day, Goddess Saraswati is honored by worshiping the books and records at home.Thousands throng the Saraswati temple at Kottayam during this period to take a dip in the mysterious holy pond whose source is yet unknown. Large gatherings are ... seen at the famous temples at Thekkegram (Palghat), in which there are no idols -- only huge mirrors.
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Durga Puja is celebrated on a mass scale with puja pandals (marquees) dotting nearly every nook and corner of West Bengal. Thanks to a migrant Bengali population, the past few years have seen a rise in the number of Durga Pujas in other parts of the country and abroad as well. Preparations for the Puja begin long before the actual day arrives. If you are looking for bargains, you won’t find a better time. Publishing houses come out with puja editions of magazines, and craftsmen and artisans do brisk business at this time of the year.
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Durga Puja is celebrated in Mera (October) month. The main centre of worship of Durga Puja is the Kali temple of Imphal town. The images of goddess Durga are made at several places in Mandapas and in public places. The Mandapas are decorated during these days and Puja is held in praise of the goddess. The Brahmins recite stories of Puranas, Krishna, Radha and Chaitanya. The idol of goddess is carried in a procession on the last day.
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Durga Puja