Durga Puja in Kolkata
As many of you know that I was in India on a business trip. I was mostly in New Delhi for work, but decided to make a short visit to my hometown Kolkata just over the weekend, mostly to visit my mom and to see the city during one of its biggest festival. Its not that I got to venture too much out because of time constraints, but thought it will be enough to introduce the concept of Durga Puja to the community. It will be diversity moment for most of you.
Above is a traditional sclupture of goddess Durga. There are numerous variation an depiction from this basic (it is basic!) work or art and I will described and show you some of that. The important part is to understand the cultural, and socio-economic significance of the Pujas (as it is called in Bengal).
The picture above is the Durga as depicted at the South City Mall in southern Kolkata. If you notice it is a modern variation of the traditional sclupture. The location being a uber Mall, makes harmony with that depiction.
Here is the overall view. Look at the decorations, and people actually doing shoping at the mall, which is rather rare except for a few popular location in the US. The vibe is excellent and people were happy. Okay with this background let us dwell into the tradition of what the puja is about.
Background and tradition of Durga Puja
Durga Puja, one of the most significant festivals in Kolkata, is a grand celebration that transcends religious boundaries and unites people from all walks of life. The festival, which typically takes place in September or October, marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura was a powerful demon who could not be defeated by any man or god. The gods, in their desperation, created Goddess Durga, a powerful female deity endowed with the combined strengths of all the gods. Armed with divine weapons, Durga fought Mahishasura for ten days and finally vanquished him, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. This mythological background forms the core of Durga Puja, making it a celebration of female power and resilience.
In Kolkata, Durga Puja is not just a religious event but a cultural extravaganza that showcases the city’s artistic and creative prowess. The preparations for the festival begin months in advance, with artisans crafting intricate idols of Goddess Durga and elaborate pandals (temporary structures) that house these idols. Each pandal is a work of art, often themed around various cultural, social, or environmental issues. The city comes alive with lights, music, and dance, as people from all over the world come to witness the grandeur of the celebrations. The festival also includes traditional rituals, cultural performances, and community feasts, making it a time of joy and togetherness.
here is a typical 'pandal' or bamboo scaffolding shot from my car
The construction of a pandal is a meticulous process that often begins months in advance. Here's a general overview:
- Theme Selection: The first step is to choose a theme for the pandal. This can be anything from a mythological story to a contemporary social issue.
- Design and Planning: Architects and artists work together to create a detailed design for the pandal, considering factors such as size, structure, and decoration.
- Material Collection: A variety of materials, including wood, bamboo, metal, and plastic, are collected for the construction.
- Scaffolding and Framework: A strong scaffolding structure is erected to support the pandal. The framework is then built using the collected materials.
- Decorations: The pandal is decorated with colorful lights, flowers, and other decorative elements. The theme chosen earlier is reflected in the decorations.
busy street scene at north kolkata near a Puja Pandal
The significance of Durga Puja in contemporary Kolkata extends beyond its religious roots. It has become a symbol of the city’s identity and cultural heritage. The festival has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its global cultural importance2. For the people of Kolkata, Durga Puja is a time to reconnect with their roots, celebrate their traditions, and showcase their city’s unique blend of modernity and tradition. It is also an economic boon, generating significant revenue through tourism, retail, and various cultural activities.
Durga Puja’s impact on Kolkata’s social fabric is profound. The element that I appreciate the most is the fact how the community comes together regardless of their background and participates in the festivities. The festival’s emphasis on the victory of good over evil resonates with contemporary social issues, inspiring people to stand against injustice and inequality. Moreover, the celebration of female power through the worship of Goddess Durga serves as a reminder of the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment. In essence, Durga Puja in Kolkata is a vibrant tapestry of mythology, culture, and contemporary significance, making it one of the most cherished and awaited festivals in the city.
Evolution of "the Puja" over time
Durga Puja has undergone significant evolution over the centuries, transforming from a simple religious observance to a grand cultural festival. Historically, the celebration of Durga Puja in Bengal can be traced back to the late 16th century, when it was primarily a private affair among wealthy zamindar (landlord) families. These early celebrations were marked by elaborate rituals and feasts, but they were confined to the homes of the aristocracy. The British colonial period saw a shift, with the festival becoming more public and inclusive. The first community or “barowari” Durga Puja was organized in 1790 in Guptipara, Hooghly, marking the beginning of the festival’s transformation into a public event.
The 20th century brought further changes, with Durga Puja becoming a symbol of Bengali cultural identity and nationalism. During the Indian independence movement, the festival was used as a platform to promote unity and resistance against colonial rule. Post-independence, Durga Puja continued to grow in scale and significance, reflecting the socio-economic changes in Kolkata and the broader region. The advent of modern technology and media has also played a crucial role in the festival’s evolution. Today, Durga Puja is not only celebrated with traditional rituals but also with contemporary themes and artistic expressions, making it a blend of the old and the new.
Moreover, I think, Durga Puja has become a significant economic event, contributing to Kolkata’s economy through tourism, retail, and various cultural activities. The festival generates employment for thousands of artisans, performers, and service providers. Food is also a major element of the whole event. People go out and eat. Street foods, small and large restaurants and 5-star hotel all do excellent business during that time. I was staying at the ITC Royal Bengal and enjoyed great traditional breakfast of Luchi and Cholar Daal (fried bread and lentil).
here is the breakfast I was talking about! Yum!
Durga Puja also fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, as people from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate. The emphasis on themes like women’s empowerment and social justice during the festival resonates with contemporary societal values, making Durga Puja not just a religious celebration but a reflection of the evolving cultural and social landscape of Kolkata.
[//]:# ([//]:# (!worldmappin 22.50166 lat 88.36150 long South City Mall d3scr))
I loved learning about the roots of the festival. I enjoyed the part where you explain about the pandals; the one in the photo is a work of art. I would sit by the car window like a little kid, looking at each pandal.
The meaning of the celebration is something that should spread throughout the world, especially in these times when there is so much evil and many people are affected by it. It’s a beautiful celebration, and I loved reading about it and your culture 🤓
I didn't find enough time between meetings but if you search Durga Puja 2024 on YouTube you will be overwhelmed!
I watched the short, and let me tell you, I was left speechless 🤯. I can't believe these structures are created for the celebration.
Of course, I found some other videos, but my Hindi is inexistent but the English one about the pandals like this
I’m sharing it here in case anyone else is interested.
Again, thank you because it's not just about learning something new, but it's also learning about beautiful celebration and culture
Yes, all pandals are, please get this:
You don't need to understand the language, just watch the visuals :)
Someday we will experience, its the best in India, and it will be a life time memory. Hopefully next year, we will have a lot of visit on the cards.
It is intense even for me these days who grew up with the vibe. :)
I get that, for us, its more because we are that generation, who evolved growing up from that base. Our kids won't have attachments like us.
I didn't know you were indian. I read some hindu texts like most of the upanishads (or called vedas), Idk how to distinguish stuff... I read the yogi science of breath, which is interesting... A bit of the bhagavad gita, some others american books linked to the culture, but Idk much since there are many different terms... What do you think about the Tata family there? I heard they were the main philanthropists in India.
Yes I am Indian for sure. I thought this was common knowledge here, perhaps you haven't interacted with me directly :)
Tata s are businessmen. However they have done a lot of good for the people and the country.
Hey, I remembered I like a lot mohnish pabrai investment methodology, and watched many of his videos, do you know him?... But so, its kinda weird how he also says there is a lot of fraud there, even on stock companies, why you think this happens? Sometimes I just joke when saying something sus like "hey, Im not indian" lol.
But I actually like a lot these texts, also buddhism, which originated in India, read many other texts on this... Very amazing, I respect a lot the philosophy, but it just differs a lot from behavior... Some people say India is actually an organized chaos and they understand it better than us...
Yes, I am familiar with his work.
Yes, there are shady stuff that happens in India, and yes at the stock market as well. However, the country and businesses survives and thrives somehow, and that is the magic.
See, you all have such a positive feedback over it lol.
Hey, no need to upvote or reply... Don't want to take your time also...
The damodaran talks are also good, but honestly he turns kinda complex with too much over technical matters, I still prefer hearing buffett talks a myriad of times...
Some dude here that has a good "value investing" material keeps saying he is the father of valuation and this and that...
Durga Puja is one of the popular and significant festival celebration in Kolkata. It's festival time in India. Like Navaratri, Dashahra and Diwali. Greetings for the festive season
Obviously. I just got back from New Delhi yesterday.
Happy Navaratri.
I am not religious but seeing people create art for any reason is good. Reminds me that people are capable of good things and not just messed up things like killing each other.
Seeing art in malls would also be nice change from purely commercial things like decorations for christmas/easter.
I am not religious either, but festival of this magnitude is hard to ignore especially if you are in India or any part of the Indian diaspora overseas.
Ah, so this is different than the one where you fast for nine days or whatever? I saw someone else post about that today. The shrines looked really similar.
No fast :) Rather you eat a lot!
Oh, this is a festival I would like. Kinda like Christmas where there are a lot of food to feast on 😀
Yeah. It is just like that
दशहरा और दुर्गा पर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनाये दादा
Thank you. Happy Navaratri to you as well.
धन्यवाद दादा, हम जाएंगे रावण दहन देखने। बस भीड़ से डर लगता है
I don't know much about it, but each locality has its own culture and that makes it interesting. Whatever angle you look at it from.
About Durga Puja I think I have seen it in brochures, stores and some movies.
That is why I said in the begining that it could be a diversity and cultural moment for a lot of you
Definitely a "cultural diversity" moment I especially liked the combination of traditional decorations and art in a modern mall with Volkswagen vehicles :)
Yes. It is probably the largest festival in Eastern India.
Durga puja looks like a very big celebration, it's nice you come back to your hometown for such a beautiful and feeled celebration. 😍
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Thanks for sharing sir, jai mata di.
Happy Navaratri, and advanced happy diwali
same to you sir ji. hamare yha bhe aab kafi sari jagha mata banti hai mai bhe try karunag share krne ke agara mauka mila too.
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I've never been to india before nor have i taste any their food but those sure looks pancakish 😋 one thing I love about it though is their God and how beautiful