VMS Durga Puja 2022

 Durga puja 2022 starts with the Navratri on 1st October and ends on Wednesday 5th October, 2022. Often it happens that different festivals are celebrated in different parts of the country at the same time. One such occasion is Durga Puja. It is celebrated in the eastern parts of India, around the same time, when in the western parts, people are celebrating Navratri.

Also called Durgotsava, Durga Puja is a Hindu festival where people pay respect and worship Goddess Kaali (a form of Goddess Durga). Though celebrated across India, it is more popular in the eastern and northeastern states of India, particularly in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, and Mithilanchal (Bihar). People belonging to this diaspora across the country, wherever they may be also celebrated this festival with the same fervour. The festival is celebrated outside India also, especially in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Navratri ends:Wednesday, 5th October 2022Celebrates:Victory of Goddess Durga over MahishasurCelebrated in:Ashvin month of Hindu calendarYamunotri Temple: Navratri starts:Saturday, 1st October 2022

Durga Puja in 2022 is celebrated during the ‘shukla’ paksh of the month of Ashvin, as per the Hindu calendar, which as per the Gregorian calendar falls in the month of September or October. Though celebrated for 10-days, from ‘ekam’ to ‘dashmi’, the last 5-days are of great significance. The last day of Durga Puja coincides with Dussehra or ‘Bijoya Dashomi’.

During these days people worship Goddess Kaali at home. At several places, huge pandals are erected, where people install huge idols of Maan Kaali. At these pandals other than worshipping the Goddess several literary and cultural activities are competitions are also performed. People recite scriptures, perform traditional dance and music, and encourage children.

As per Hindu scriptures, Durga Puja symbolizes the victory of Goddess Kaali against the buffalo demon, ‘Mahishasura’. This way, the festival signifies the victory of good over evil. The festival coincides with the harvest season as well. So, the festival celebrates the new crop and a new life and creation.