Durga Puja In Kolkata 2023 | The famous Hindu Festival

Durga Puja is the biggest Festival in Kolkata and other states in India. The Holy Mother, The Goddes Durga, wins the battle, kills the Bull demon Mahishasur, Defeat of evil forces, and rescues the Universe from the Demon King. That's Why People in Kolkata or India celebrate this occasion. In this writing, we will get to know all the minor and essential things related to this festival—also enclosed with the schedule and dates of Durga Puja in Kolkata 2023.

Table of Contents:

• Various rules and schedules associated with Durga Puja

• Why we worship Goddes Durga: The History of the Mythology

• All about Durga Puja Celebrations in Kolkata

• Durga Puja Preparation and Pandle Hopping

• Famous Durga Puja Pandal Checklist in 2023

• Durga Puja in Kolkata 2023 and its lip-smacking food

• Final Thought

• FAQs

Various rules and schedules associated with Durga Puja:

Kolkata, India, is famous for its culture, festivals, and Hindu mythology. There are many festivals, and each festival carries different stories. In twelve months, the Proverbs of the Thirteenth festival means full of cultural celebrations in Kolkata. Still, among all other celebrations, Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Kolkata and other places in India.

This Puja mainly occurs in the month of Ashvina (September to October). The new moon day in Ashvina month is called Mahalaya, and on that holy day, people pour water in the name of their ancestors. After the new moon day, Devi Paksha starts, which means establishing positive female power or shakti sthapana. On that Auspicious day, Goddes Durga gets invited to her father's place on the Earth from her laws or husband's abode, Kailash, for 5 days. Once a year, She comes to her paternal house, so the people of Earth or Hinduism followers celebrate these five days glamorously. 

On the Mahalaya, We can see the Chokkhu daan, which means the Idol artists Draw the eyes on Goddess Durga Idol. This Puja or worship continues for nine days, and these 9 days are known as Navaratri.

But in Kolkata, Bengali people celebrate from the 6th day after Mahalaya. 

In 2023, Goddes Durga is coming in the vehicle of a Horse, which means the world will be engaging in anarchy. Warlike conditions will be seen —also departing on a Horse, which is not auspicious. Again, the exact vehicle arriving and leaving is not a good sign. Holy Mother is coming, and it is enough for a Good deed, isn't it the truth? Mother Durga will destroy all the bad events and replace them with good ones.

Durga Puja In Kolkata 2023, The Durga Puja Schedule:

Mahalaya: 14 October 2023 Saturday

Maha Sasthi: 20 October 2023, Friday

Maha Saptami: 21 October 2023 Saturday

Maha Ashtami: 22 October 2023 Sunday

Maha Navami: 23 October 2023 Monday

Maha Dashami: 24 October, 2023 Tuesday.

Why we worship Goddes Durga: The History of the Mythology:

Once Mahisasur (bull demon) pleased God Brahma with his austerities and asked the demon what he wanted from him, the Mahishasur asked Him (Brahma) a Wish with deception, that No Gods, No Men, and no demons could kill him. And God Prajapati Bramha Granted his wish. After having the boon of Lord Brahma, The monster became invincible and started terror in the Universe, and The Creation was on the way to destruction. Then Tridev (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) created with their power the Goddes Durga with 10 hands. All the Gods of Heaven Equip her with ten weapons in 10 different hands with Vehicle Lion.

The war between Positive energy and negative energy and the battle continued for 9 days. On the 10th day, the demon is defeated and establishes positive energy, so the 10th day is called Bijoya Dashami; bijoya means to win.

All about Durga Puja Celebrations in Kolkata:

People of Kolkata celebrate Durga Puja from the 6th Day of Navaratri or Shashti To Vijaya Dashami. So total, in 5 Days like:

Maha Shashti, or the 6th day of Navaratri

Maha Saptami or 7th Day

Maha Ashtami or 8th Day

Maha Nabami or 9th Day

Vijaya Dashami

Maha Shashti:

On that auspicious day, Goddess Durga Idol comes to the pandal or The house where Durga Puja is performed. People take the Holy Mother and her children in a big procession with joy, happiness, and enthusiasm. On that day, people decorated her with weapons, ornaments, etc.

Maha Saptami or Bodhan:

Brahmin Priest invokes the Goddess Durga into the idol or Pran Pratishtha in the Bengali language on that day. The most known ritual on that day is also held: Banana Bride bath, Kola Bou Snan, or Nabapatrika bathing ritual.

Nabapatrika, or the nine plants, represents the nine different forms of the Goddess.

The Nine Plants are:

Banana plant or Kola Gachh

Colacassia plant or Kochu Gachh

Turmeric tree or Holud Gachh

Wood apple tree or Bel Ghachh

Pomegranate tree or Dalim Gachh

Arum plant or Maankochu

Rice plant 

Ashoka tree

Saal tree or Jayanti gachh

These nine plants tie with the twigs of the white Aparajita plant or white butterfly pea plant and nine yellow threads. After that, the nabapatrika is ready for the bath, and this Great Bath, or Maha Snan, is held before sunrise. After the great bath, Navapatrika is dressed like a new bride in a red-bordered white saree with vermilion on the leaves. After the worship of the plants, it is placed on the right side of God Ganesha; that's why it is a myth that the Kola Bou or nabapatrika is the wife of God Ganesha.

Well, these Nine Plants refer to the nine forms of Durga:

1. Banana plant or Kola Gachh - Goddess Brahmani

2. Colocasia plant or Kochu Gachh - Goddess Kalika

3. Turmeric tree or Holud Gachh - Goddess Durga

4. Wood apple tree or Bel Ghachh - Lord Shiva

5. Pomegranate tree or Dalim Gachh - Goddess Raktadantika

6. Arum plant or Maankochu - Goddess Chamunda

7. Rice plant - Goddess Lakshmi

8. Ashoka tree - Goddess Shokarahita

9. Saal tree or Jayanti gachh - Goddess Kartiki

Maha Ashtami

The eighth day of Navaratri or Durga Puja is called Maha Ashtami. Goddess Durga killed demon king Mahishasura that day, so worship on Ashtami is special. On this day, devotees offer flowers or Pushpanjali to Goddess Durga.

Sandhi Puja:

We call the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of the Nabami Sandhi Puja. The juncture between the end of Ashtami and the beginning of Navami is known as Sandhi Puja. At this time, Goddess Durga took the incarnation of Goddess Chamunda to destroy the two demons, Chanda and Munda. At this time, Goddess Durga is worshiped with 108 lotus flowers and 108 lamps.

Maha Nabami:

Nabami is the last day of Navaratri or Durga Puja. We can feel sadness everywhere that day because the Holy Mother will go to her husband's house after today's night, waiting for another year. On this day, Pujo, Aarti (Worship), and Dhunuchi dance (Dance with clay censer) are performed in the evening, and Dandiya dance is performed in a few places. The four days of Durga Puja are full of Joy.

Vijaya Dashami

On that day of Vijaya Dashami, Goddess Durga returns to her husband's abode, Kailash, with her Children and Vehicle animal. Before the immersion of Goddess Durga and her children's idol, married women apply vermilion and offer sweets to the Goddess.

After that, all married women apply vermilion to each other, and all people exchange love for each other; that increases good bonding in a relationship. Younger people take the blessing to touch the feet of their elders, and these rituals connect with every age group.

After the Sindoor Khela or Vermilion play, people prepare for the procession, and Mother Durga is immersed in a river or pond. So the Puja or celebration is over for the year.

Durga Puja Preparation and Pandle Hopping:

The biggest festive season in Kolkata is knocking on the door. Only a few days remain for the celebration. People have already started shopping for new dresses, ornaments, cosmetics, makeup, and haircuts, as per the budget people spend with both hands. Everybody wants to look unique and best on those festive days.

The thematic pandals (Temporary structures of Bamboo and other materials to keep the Idols) started a few months ago. These pandals reveal various themes and drag the attention of crowds.

Pottery artist or Mrit Shilpi started making Idols a few months ago, and now they are on the final touch-up.

Best Pandals for Durga Puja in Kolkata 2023:

During the five days of the festival, every corner of Kolkata brightens with dazzling lights. The lights not only illuminate the roads and pandals but our hearts and minds too.

Without saying much, let's discuss the best pandals in 2023 in Durga Puja:

Famous Durga Puja Pandal Checklist in 2023:

Badamtala Ashar Sangha

66 Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsab

Chetla Agrani Club

Deshapriya park

Samaj Sebi Sangha

Ballygunge Cultural Association Durga Puja

Tridhara Sammilani

Hindustan Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab

Singhi park

Ekdalia Evergreen

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir

Bosepukur Talbagan

Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha

Babu Bagan

Selimpur

Jodhpur park

95 Pally Jodhpur Park

Trikon Park

Santoshpur lake pally

Mudiali Club

Shiv Mandir Sarbojanin

Suruchi Sangha

Hindusthan Club

Behala Club

Barisha Sarbojanin

Raipur club

Naktala Udayan sangha

Maddox Square

Sealdah Railway Athletic Club

College Square

Md. Ali Park (Youth Association)

Santosh Mitra square or Lebutala park

Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja

Karbagan

Telenga Bagan

Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin

Hatibagan Sarbojanin

Hatibagan Nabinpally Sarbojanin

Sikdar Bagan

Kashi Bose Lane

Simla Byayam Samity

Sovabazar Rajbari

Ultadanga Yuba Brinda

Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab

Ahiritola Jubak Brinda

Kumartuli Park

Bagbazar Sarbojanin

Tala Park

Sree Bhumi Sporting Club

Tarun Sangha, Dum Dum Park

Dum Dum Park Sarbojanin

Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra

Adhibasi Brinda, Lake Town, and plenty more.

Durga Puja in Kolkata 2023 and its lip-smacking food:

Pandal hopping, adda (gossiping) with friends and family, everything is incomplete without trying the various mouth-watering foods. The Bengali or bong people are famous for their nature of "love to eat and be fed."

From street foods to cuisine everywhere, you can find delicious food like:

Phuchka or Panipuri (Made with white flour, potato, and spices) 

Papdi Chats,

Luchi and Aalur Dum,

Kolkata style Biriyani with potato and egg,

Chicken Chaap and Mutton Chaap,

Ghoogni,

Noodles,

Fried rice,

Chilli Chicken,

Chilli Fish,

Momo,

Bengali Cuisine like:

Basanti Pulao or Yellow Pulao,

Chicken or Mutton Kosha

Aalu Posto,

Machher Matha Diye Muger Daal (moong dal with fish brain)

Bhetki Fish Paturi

Chital machher Muithha or Chital Fish Curry

Fish Fry

Jhuri Aalu Bhaja, or Deep-fried potato

Sweet Chatni

Plenty of sweets like:

Rasgolla or Roshogolla

Malai Chomchom (Milk Sweets)

lady Kenny sweet

Gulab Jamun

Sweet Curd or Mishti Doi and plenty more.

Final Thought:

This way, people of Kolkata and not only Kolkata but every corner of the world who visit Kolkata During Durga Puja spend their precious time with lots of fun and enjoyment by getting together with family and friends after a long time.

Last but not least, Durga Puja in Kolkata has also been added to UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Isn't it a proud moment for Bengalis and Kolkata, India?

FAQs:

Which city is famous for Durga Puja in India?

Though India celebrates Durga Puja, Kolkata is the most popular and famous for Durga Puja across India and the world. Durga Puja is a Grand Festival for Bengalis and Kolkata. Durga Puja has also been added to UNESCO.

On which animal is Holy Mother Durga coming this year?

Goddess Durga's arrival is on Horse and Departure also on horse.

Is it considered a good sign if Maa Durga's arrival and departure with the exact vehicle?

Though the Goddess generally doesn't come and depart with the exact vehicle, this is an omen for the people and the land if she does so. But be positive because the Holy Mother is coming to destroy evil forces and establish positive energy. Don't be scared; she is a universal Mother, so Mother never harms anyone.