Durga Puja is the most important Hindu festival in the world, it celebrates the goddess Durga, the slayer of demons. It is celebrated for ten days, and culminates in the immersion of clay idols of the goddess in rivers and lakes. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in India, Bangladesh and other countries with significant Hindu populations.
Here is how Durga Puja is celebrated in some countries outside India:
Bangladesh
Durga Puja is celebrated as a national holiday in Bangladesh, where it is known as Bijoya Dashami. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry, with pandals (temporary temples) erected across the country. On the fifth day of the festival, known as Mahalaya, devotees start preparing for the puja by cleaning and decorating their homes and pandals. On the sixth day, known as Shashthi, idols of Durga and her four children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartik, are installed in pandals.
On the seventh day, known as Saptami, the puja begins in earnest. Devotees offer prayers and flowers to Goddess Durga and her children. The puja continues for the next three days, with special rituals performed each day. On the tenth and final day, known as Dashami, idols of Durga and her children are immersed in rivers and lakes.
Nepal
Durga Puja is also celebrated with great fervor in Nepal. The festival is known as Dashain and is celebrated for 15 days. The first nine days of the festival are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, while the last six days are dedicated to the worship of her husband, Lord Shiva.
On the first day of Dashain, known as Ghatasthapana, devotees plant barley seeds in a pot of soil. Barley seeds are said to represent Goddess Durga and are worshiped throughout the festival. On the seventh day of Dashain, known as Fulpati, devotees offer flowers to Goddess Durga.
On the tenth and last day of Dashain, known as Tika, devotees receive a tika (auspicious red sign) from their elders. Tikka is said to bestow the blessings of Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva.
United States
Durga Puja is celebrated in many cities across the United States, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Pandals are erected in community centers and temples and devotees gather to worship Goddess Durga.
On the tenth and last day of the festival, idols of Durga are immersed in rivers and lakes. In some cities, such as New York, the immersion ceremony takes place in the Hudson River.
United Kingdom
Durga Puja is also celebrated in the UK, with pandals erected in temples and community centers across the country. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotees gather to worship Goddess Durga.
On the tenth and last day of the festival, idols of Durga are immersed in rivers and lakes. In some cities, such as London, the immersion ceremony takes place in the River Thames.
Other countries
Durga Puja is also celebrated in other countries with significant Hindu populations, such as Canada, Australia and Singapore. Pandals are erected in temples and community centers and devotees gather to worship Goddess Durga.
On the tenth and last day of the festival, idols of Durga are immersed in rivers and lakes. In some cities, such as Toronto, the immersion ceremony takes place in Lake Ontario.
Durga Puja is a special time for Hindus around the world. It is time to come together and celebrate the goddess Durga, who is a symbol of strength, power and courage.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education