Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga's triumph over the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. This year, the festival will take place from October 8 to October 13, 2024, in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India.
The festivities begin on October 8, 2024, with the invocation of Goddess Durga's idol, marking the Panchami Tithi. The following days are filled with various rituals and celebrations, each with its own significance.
Rituals and Significance
1. **Panchami Tithi (October 8, 2024)**: This is the day when Goddess Durga's idol is invoked, marking the beginning of the festivities. The idol is typically draped in traditional Bengali attire, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.
2. **Sashti Tithi (October 9, 2024)**: On this day, Akaal Bodhan is celebrated, which involves the awakening of Goddess Durga from her slumber. This ritual is performed to invoke her divine powers.
3. **Saptami Tithi (October 10, 2024)**: Kola Bou Puja is performed on this day, where the idol of Goddess Durga is worshipped with offerings of fruits and flowers.
4. **Ashtami Tithi (October 11, 2024)**: Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja are performed on this day. Kumari Puja involves the worship of young girls who are considered to be manifestations of Goddess Durga, while Sandhi Puja is a ritual performed at the exact moment when the eighth and ninth days of the festival overlap.
5. **Navami Tithi (October 12, 2024)**: Durga Balidaan is celebrated on this day, which marks the final battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. The idol of Mahishasura is symbolically beheaded, signifying the victory of good over evil.
6. **Dashami Tithi (October 13, 2024)**: This is the final day of the festival, known as Vijayadashami or Durga Visarjan. The idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers and ponds, marking the end of the festivities. The day also includes Sindoor Utsava, where women apply sindoor to each other's foreheads as a symbol of love and respect.
In Jalpaiguri, the celebrations are particularly vibrant, with local clubs and communities coming together to organize grand pandals and cultural events. The Mahuripara Club in Jalpaiguri is known for its stunning Assamese-themed pandals, where Goddess Durga is draped in the iconic mekhela-chadar, and Mahishasura is adorned with a dhuti and an Assamese gomocha on his head.
The application process for Durga Puja permissions in Jalpaiguri has also been extended, allowing more time for organizers to prepare for the festivities. The online application process can be completed by registering as a user, uploading relevant documents, and checking the status of the application.
