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When is Durga Puja in 2009? 2009 Durga Puja is on 28th September i.e Monday.

When is Durga Puja in 2010? 2010 Durga Puja is on 17th October i.e Sunday.

Durga Puja is performed with much fervor by the Bengalees all over India as they worship Goddess Durga in all her splendor. It is an auspicious occasion for them and family and friends gather at various pandals (place of worship) where they seek the blessing of Goddess Durga.

Legends of Durga Puja
Devi is the held in high esteem by the Hindus and is the consort of Lord Shiva. She represents benevolence and fierceness. She is also known as Uma (Light), Gauri “brilliant and yellow”, Jagmata, the mother of the world and Parvati, the mountaineer. The ferocious images of her are Durga, (the inaccessible), Kali,( the black), Bhairavi, the terrible and Chandi (the fierce).

Devi Durga, the beautiful warrior sitting on a lion has the foremost appearance of the great Goddess. The circumstances which allowed her to make a miraculous escape was the tyranny of Mahishasur, a monster-demon, who through strict austerities had acquired invincible strength. The Gods of course were afraid of the water-buffalo bull as both Shiva and Vishnu could not gain control over him. Only Shakti was able to vanquish. Goddess Durga with 10 arms was able to challenge him. She entered the battle field sitting on a ferocious lion and was armed with weapons given to her by the gods. Devi Durga depicts the angry and ferocious aspects of Goddess Durga. She was meant to fight various demons and personifies the female aspect of the male gods. She is invoked for protection from evil powers. Durga puja celebrates victory over evil.

History of Durga
The deity has been worshiped since from about 400 A.D, may be earlier to the present times. Literary references about her are mainly from Ramayana and Mahabharata, Puranic texts and she is also referred by name in the Vedic literature. In the North India, she is considered to be a gentle bride bringing about unity in the family. In the South part of India she is more of a warrior.

Celebrations of Durga Puja
The idol of Devi Durga is kept in a pandal ( cloth covered area) throughout the celebration. The priests conduct the puja and the devotees make their offerings to the deity. The devotees visit the pandals to pay their respects to Devi Durga. Social get-togethers are organized so that people can spend time with each other throughout the celebrations. It is a festive occasion. Throughout the celebration the devotees wear new clothes. Food and sweets are provided at the pandal. Cultural programs are organized in the evening and religious songs are sung. The event is highlighted with festivities.

Rituals of Durga Puja
Food offerings for sashti puja consisting of grains of 5 types- rice, whole green gram, til or sesame. These form the Panchashasha. Then you have the panchgobbo ( 5 items which have been obtained from the cow- ghee, milk or clarified butter, curd, cow dung as well as gomutra).Panchakshoshay( bark of 5 trees)-berela, shimul, bakul powder kool mixed with some water, green coconut with the green stalk. Cloth offerings are there. Gamcha, which is piece of cloth to cover the pot, a sari for each bhodan and chandi. Decorative items consisting of a pot, four arrows, mirror, extracts from elephant tusks, horitoki flowers, chandmala ( garland having circulation decorations). Puja items include sindor, kajal, earthern lamps, vermillion, items required for arti, ghee, cow dung etc. Flower and Plant offerings such as pomegranate stem, Jayanti plant stem, rice pant, two stems of the banana plant, aparajita plant. For saptmi and ashatami, navami and Dashmi different offerings are made, which include items such as pan masala, betel nut, Saris for the Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Chandi, Vishnu and Shiva, perfumes, flowers, sweets etc.

The traditional Aarti is performed. Bhajans are sung in praise of Goddess Durga. The priest conducts the puja. Devotees fast on this occasion to seek the blessings of Devi Durga. Everybody dresses up in their best new clothes. Family and friends exchange pleasantries.

Duga Puja is major festival in West Bengal and else where also the Bengalees celebrate with great zeal. They seek the blessing from Goddess Durga. It is time when young would- be- brides come across their future would be husbands or rather it is a time to socialize.