by Anjan Roy

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: October 07, 2010

Among many other festivals of Hindus - Durga Puja is one. It is celebrated to symbolize the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Goddess Durga, visits her native land with her whole family for 10 days. But according to the hindu mythology, there are various versions of the origin or Durga Puja.

One version states that when the daemon Mahisasur was at the peak of tormenting human beings, all the Gods went to Goddess Kali (Goddess of 'Shakti' i.e. Power) and requested her to get rid of Mahisasur. Kali, then took the form of Durga and fought with Mahisasur for ten days. On the tenth day, Mahisasur was killed. That is the day, when 'Vijaya-dashami' (10th day of victory) is celebrated. However, there is another version that states that lord Rama, when he went to fight Ravana, called upon Goddess Durga to bless him for his victory. That war also lasted ten days and at the end of the tenth Day, Ravana was killed.

Whatever be the origin, Durga Puja remains to be the most colorfull and joyful among all the hindu festivals. For people in the eastern part of India, this is the most auspicious period of the year. There are local communities that celebrate the festival. For most of them, they prepare in such a way as if really their beloved daughter is coming home for ten days. People buy new clothes, decorate their homes, decorate the entire community and what not.

Durga Puja is celebrated in mid-October. This is the time when the weather is at its best in India. Durga Puja signals the beginning of the festival season in india that runs for next 5-6 months.

Durga Puja has become more of a cultural festival than a religious one. People belonging to all religions, get together and celebrate. There are numerous functions of music, dance, drama and a lot of food. It really brings people from all classes of the society together and shows that there is no differentiation as far as the Goddess is conerned. For Her, everyone is the same.

After the ten day celebration is over, it is time for the Goddess to go home. That is the time when people really get emotional as if their beloved daughter is going back. The idol of the Goddess is immersed into water - as if that is her route to the heaven. There are long processions of people who follow the Goddess on her journey, as if they have come to see Her off. After this, people farewell each other and go back to their homes to start getting ready for the next year's celebration.

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