ON THE STREET TRAVEL ROADS OF KOLKATA DURING DURGA PUJA -BY ABHISIKTA DEY

 ROADS OF KOLKATA DURING DURGA PUJA

Durga Puja, also called Durgotsava is an annual Hindu festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which reveres and pays homage to the Hindu goddess, Durga. It is particularly popular and traditionally celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal.

 

Durga Pooja Pandals, Decorations

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The gorgeously decorated pandals each emphasize a theme; be it the legends of Goddess Durga or scenes from Hindu epic texts. Nowadays, some pandals are themed on a social cause to spread awareness. Day time is

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usually better to see the pandals closely when the crowd is less however; the brightly lit pandals in hundreds of colors is quite a sight of its own in the evenings.The joie de vivre seen in Kolkata during Durga Puja has made some compare it with the famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. The carnival spirit is more evident on the last day of Durga Puja (the day  India  celebrates  Dussehra) when the idols are taken out in a procession for immersion in the river. The city will again see last year’s repeat of a grand gala procession with the idols from the top Durga Pujas in the city.

Months before the 

start of Durga Puja, youth members of the community collect funds and donations, engage priests  and  artisans,  buy  votive  materials  and  help

build pandals centred around a theme, which has rose to prominence in recent years. Such themes    have    included    celebration    of    humanity, marginalisation    of queer    persons and transgender persons, folk culture, celebration of cinema, womanhood, pro- environment themes, while others have  chosen metaphorical  themes such  as celebration of maati (literally, soil or ash) and "finding one's own light". Pandals have also been replicated on existing temples, structures, and monuments and yet others have been made of elements.such as metal scraps, nails, and turmeric among others. Durga puja pandals have also been centred around themes to acknowledge political events such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike and to protest against the National Register of Citizens of India.  

Designs and sculpture-idols are made by commissioned artisans, which is also a team effort involving labourers, architects, and community representatives hosting it. The budget required for such theme-based pujas is significantly higher than traditional pujas. For such theme- based pujas, the preparations and the building of pandals are a significant arts-related economic activity, often attracting major sponsors. Such commercialised pujas attract crowds of visitors. The growth of competitiveness in theme-based pandals has escalated costs and scale of Durga puja in eastern states of India. Some segments of the society criticise the billboards, the economic competition, and seek return to basics. The competition takes many forms, such as the height of statue. In 2015, an 88-foot statue of Durga in Kolkata's Deshapriya Park attracted numerous devotees, with some estimates placing visitors at one million.

 

This grand social event of Durga Puja showcases the beautiful culture of  the  Bengalis in India. The evenings during Kolkata Durga Puja witness the streets packed with thousands of people both locals and tourists alike who come to see the large beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Durga, to offer their prayers, eat at the numerous stalls that pop up in  the  streets  and  take  part  in  the  grand  celebrations  to  honour the victory of Goddess Durga over evil.

Dance for the Goddess

DHUNUCHI NACH Source Wikipedia

After the evening rituals on Ashami, it's traditional for the devotional Dhunuchi folk dance to be performed in front of Goddess Durga to please her. This is done holding an earthen pot filled with burning coconut husk and camphor. Drummers lead the dancers with their beats, which vary in speed. Smoke, sound and rhythmic swaying engulf the atmosphere. It's intense and intoxicating! The dance is inclusive and anyone, men and women, can join in. It has become so popular that people have started organizing competitions.

Greatest public art installation

Mahalaya, which formally ushers in Durga Puja in Bengal, brought in a huge surprise for Kolkata in the shape of an 'alpona' or auspicious painting over a kilometer long on Lake Road. Executed by nearly 400 art students and inspired by the art of Rangoli, the creation was unveiled by actor Prasenjit Chatterjee, who readily added a few colourful brush strokes. Dhakis flanked the painting and the throb of drums seemed to strengthen the spirit of the carnival. But the busiest were the camera-phone yielding spectators. Social media was soon awash with the pictures of the record-making painting. Even parliamentarian Derek O'Brien could not resist uploading a video of the 'alpona', congratulating the artists.

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Unique Illumination

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Colourful lights and elaborate lighting turns Kolkata into a fairy town at night during Durga Puja. In fact, what was earlier known as 'Chandannagorer lighting', the illumination executed by electricians from the district town, predates the trend of holding theme-based Pujo. With the help of a rudimentary motor and a string of bulbs, these electricians used their indigenous technology to create magic through illumination. So much so, they began receiving invitations from other Indian cities, and even abroad, to create their unique art. With advanced technology, the illumination has gone up several notches and even if you are not quite religious, you might still venture out in the streets to see these 'light' paintings all across town.

Dashami Procession - The Last Day of the Durga Puja

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 The tenth day of the Durga Puja festival is called Dashami; it is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga gained victory over the Demon and thus restored the balance on the earth. It is also known as Vijayadashami. On this day, Goddess Durga is worshipped and offered many things as she is prepared to leave. Highly enthusiastic devotees gather in large numbers to join the procession that carries the Goddess to the ghats to be immersed in water. Women, especially married woman initiate the procession by first applying red sindoor or vermillion powder on the Goddess and then to each other. It is said to be a symbol of marriage and fertility. The immersion of the idol is similar to the immersion of the Ganesha idol during Ganesh Chaturti. Babu Ghat is one of the popular places for immersion located near Eden Garden.