durga puja

One of the biggest social events of India, Durga Puja is considered the main festival for Bengalis. It is a ten-day carnival in West Bengal, the eastern state of India. Magnificently created puja pandals are erected at every other street of Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal. Every pooja pandal is unique in its own terms, with beautiful patterns that are true delight to the eyes. A spurt of fanfare can be sensed all through the ten days, especially on the last four days of the festival. Bengalis in the metro city rejoice to their heart's content. They consider the festival as a wonderful occasion to reconnect to their family and friends. The air is filled with festivity, during the season. In the following lines, we have provided information on the celebrations of Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Durga Pooja Celebrations In Kolkata

Preparations
The preparations of the festival commence one or two months in advance. Puja bonus (extra money apart from the salary) is given to the employees of both government and private organizations, in Kolkata, since the bread-winner of the family brings in clothes and furbishes for the home, during the festive season. Pre-pooja bargain sales are displayed by shops, as they cash in a lot during the festival. Every household prepares itself to welcome the season, with great enthusiasm.

Pre-Puja Celebrations
Celebrations of the festival start with Mahalaya, the first phase of the waxing moon in Aswin. During the time, about thousands of people offer prayers to their ancestors at the city's river banks. This ritual is referred to as 'Tarpan'. The festive mood builds up in the people, when Dhakis (drummers) belonging to the countryside start gathering near the city. The local Puja organizers are attracted by the feathered drums played by the drummers.

Making Of Idol
While the festival was celebrated within the families some times back, it has taken the shape of a community festival, celebrated at Puja pandals. The