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Durga Puja, 2020

October 22, 2020

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, Assam, Odisha, Tripura and the country of Bangladesh and the diaspora from this region and also in Mithilanchal regions of Bihar and Nepal. The festival is observed in the Indian calendar month of Ashwin, which corresponds to the months of September�October in the Gregorian calendar, and is a ten day festival of which the last five are of significance.

The Puja is performed in homes and in the public, the latter featuring temporary stage and structural decorations. The festival is also marked by scripture recitations, performance arts, revelry, gift giving, family visits, feasting and public processions. Durga Puja is an important festival in the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism.

As per Hindu scriptures, the festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga in her battle against the shape shifting asura, Mahishasura. Thus, the festival epitomises the victory of good over evil, though it is also in part a harvest festival celebrating the Goddess as the motherly power behind all of life and creation. Durga Puja coincides with Navaratri and Dussehra celebrations observed by other traditions of Hinduism, in which the Ram lila dance drama is enacted, celebrating the victory of Rama against Ravana and effigies of Ravana are burnt.