S
o finally Devi has come to Delhi…
Durga Puja also known as Durgotsava – one of the biggest festival for Bengalis, starts today. It is a five day celebration dedicated to the Hindu goddess of Shakti (Power), Durga. If you ever get chance to witness the celebrations in a true Bengali style, you will not only witness power of faith but also the joy and enthusiasm of being in company of the goddess and you will definitely say – Why only five days?
The story of Durga Puja as narrated by Bhadra revolves around the story of demon king Mahishasura, whose atrocities force the devas to appeal for help to the Holy Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is they who create a female form with ten arms, with the mission of demolishing Mahishasura. These five days are celebration of victory of good over the evil.
I had an opportunity to meet and interact with some artists who make it all happen. They come all the way from West Bengal and make Durga idols and sell it to various big and small ‘Pandals’ (The temporary structures where Durga idols are established and worshiped for 4/5 days before the goddess is sent home by imersing the idol in a river.
The artist in the photograph, Pandav Pandey, 28, comes every year to Delhi along with his family to make Durga idols.
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