India is a mix of many different cultures, and people from many different places come together there to enjoy many different holidays. From cuisine to attire, everything varies from state to state. Consequently, the manner in which festivals are celebrated varies, as do customs and rituals. One thing, however, remains unchanged: the devotion to gods and goddesses and the pleasure that these celebrations bring.
Durga Puja is one of the many festivals celebrated in India. Durga Puja is a festival predominantly observed in the eastern regions of India, specifically in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. However, due to India's multiculturalism, Durga Puja is also celebrated in other regions, including Maharashtra, albeit on a lesser scale than in the eastern states.
Durga puja is a well-known Hindu festival in which the goddess Durga is worshiped. Durga Puja is also known as Durgotsava. Durgotsava refers to all five days of celebration, which are known as Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami.
The majority of states, excluding West Bengal, observe Ghatasthapana on Pratipada, the day following Mahalaya Amavasya. Ghatasthapana is equivalent to Kalparambha when Goddess Durga is invoked during Durga Puja. The majority of Kalparamba falls on Shashthi Tithi during Devi Paksha. Also mentioned in Dharmasindhu, Durga Puja during Shardiya Navratri varies from nine days to only one day according to regional customs and beliefs.
So if we talk about Durga Puja in Maharashtra, it's specifically about what Gujaratis and Maharashtrians have in common.
It is their profound affection for dandiya. The people of Maharashtra dress for nine days and enjoy dancing all night to upbeat rhythms. The celebrations conclude with Dussehra.
Everything about Durga Puja in Maharashtra
The financial capital of Indiai and the larger Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) -- which is home to a lot of Bengalis, celebrate Durga Puja with much joy and excitement.
In Maharashtra, Durga Puja is primarily observed in Mumbai and Pune, where there is a sizable Bengali population. The communities organize Durga Puja celebrations with great zeal and fervor. Traditional rituals, beautiful decorations, cultural performances, music, dance, and cuisine are typical components of the festivities.
During Durga Puja, exquisitely designed and crafted statues of the goddess Durga are installed in ornately embellished pandals. Devotees visit these pandals to pray to the goddess and seek blessings. The pandals are embellished with intricate decorations, and a variety of cultural events, including traditional dances, dramas, and musical performances, take place there.
Here are some additional details about Durga Puja in Maharashtra:
Bengali Associations
Most of the events for Durga Puja in Maharashtra are put on by Bengali groups and communities that live there. These groups get together to form committees that plan and organize the events, which can last for a few days. People enjoy the joyous occasion and get together to celebrate it with much happiness and enthusiasm.
Pandals and Decoration
Idols of Goddess Durga and her other gods are kept in pandals that have been carefully painted. Often, the pandals are made to look like famous churches or historical buildings. Using things like cloth, thermocol, paper, and lights, people can make ornaments that are detailed and have a theme. The goal is to make an atmosphere that is both interesting and emotionally charged.
Durga Idol
The statues of Goddess Durga and her four children, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kartikeya, and Ganesha, are made by skilled craftsmen. Most of the time, these idols are made of clay and are carefully painted and dressed in bright clothes and jewelry.
Performances
In Maharashtra, the events for Durga Puja include performances from different cultures. Bengali groups put on a variety of cultural events, such as classical and folk dances, music concerts, recitations of devotional songs and poems, and performances of traditional Bengali dramas and plays. During the event, well-known artists from all over the country are often asked to play.
Food
Food is a big part of the festivities for Durga Puja. Near the pandals, there are a lot of food stands and shops with a wide range of Bengali treats. Traditional foods are given, such as Mishti Doi (sweet yogurt), Sandesh (sweet meats), Rosogolla (a dessert made of syrup), and different kinds of fried snacks and sweets. During the event, people can enjoy these delicious treats.
Dressing
Durga Puja is mostly marked with a lot of energy and pomp in the state of West Bengal. But Bengali groups in other parts of India, such as Maharashtra, also celebrate this holiday. People may dress in different ways during Durga Puja, but there are some things that everyone does that show the cultural importance of the holiday.
During Durga Puja, both men and women often dress in traditional Bengali clothes that show off the culture's colorful and rich history. Here are some common things to wear:
Women - During Durga Puja, sarees are often worn by women. Bengali women often pick traditional Bengali sarees like the tant saree, baluchari saree, or jamdani saree. Most of the time, these sarees have bright colors and designs that are hard to describe. They might also wear native jewelry, including bindis, gold bangles, earrings, and necklaces.
Men - Traditional clothing for men is called a kurta-pajama or dhoti-kurta. The kurta is a long shirt-like piece of clothing, and the pajama is a pair of trousers with a loose fit. The dhoti is a traditional piece of fabric that is wrapped around the waist and legs without being stitched. Men can also add a Nehru jacket or a traditional Bengali top called a "panjabi kurta" to their outfit. During certain rituals, guys may wear a topor, which is a cone-shaped headpiece.
Rituals and Prayers
Priests follow the traditional ways to do the religious practices and prayers that are part of Durga Puja. Devotees meet at the pandals to pray, ask the goddess for her blessings, and take part in aarti, which is a ceremony where lamps are lit and flowers are given. The air is filled with the sounds of conch shells, the rhythmic beating of dhak (drums), and the singing of religious songs.
Visarjan
On the last day of Durga Puja, the idols are taken in a big parade to nearby bodies of water where they are immersed. This shows that the goddess is leaving. The procession is followed by music, dance, and passionate worshippers who say goodbye to the goddess with a lot of passion and emotion.
To Wrap Up
Durga Puja in Maharashtra provides a reason for the Bengali community to celebrate their culture and tradition while also welcoming people from different backgrounds to join in the festivities. It showcases the cultural diversity of Maharashtra and promotes harmony and unity among its residents.
The most renowned Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai are located in Powai, Santacruz, Andheri, and Ghatkopar, among others. Similarly, the celebrations in Pune are centered in Kothrud, Shivaji Nagar, and Hadapsar. These pandals attract a large number of Bengalis and non-Bengalis who come to witness the splendor of the festivities.
You can check out the local newspapers to get the exact location of the places where the celebration takes place.