Durga Puja 2024 : The Countdown Begins!!
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Durga Puja in Kolkata is the most famous and majestic festival celebrated in kolkata and it is celebrated for 5 Days. Every year, Kolkata turns into a joyful, colorful explosion of celebration for Durga Puja!
This big festival is all about honoring Ma Durga, a powerful goddess and a Mother to all species who defeated a scary demon named Mahishasura. It’s more than just a religious thing, it’s a emotion to all bengali people and one-of-a-kind experience for everyone.
This Day the whole city lights up with beautiful decorations and the sounds of dhaak and music. The people build amazing temporary temples called pandals to house incredible statues of Durga. There’s so much excitement in the air!
Let’s journey together into this magical world of Ma Durga, where we’ll learn about its long history, why it’s so special, and see the magic it brings to the streets of Kolkata.
Durga Puja 2024 Dates
- Mahapanchami is on Tuesday, October 8, 2024
- Mahasashthi is on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
- Mahasaptami is on Thursday, October 10, 2024
- Mahashtami is on Friday, 11 October, 2024.
- Mahanavami is on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
- Vijaya Dashami is on Sunday, 13 October, 2024.
The History of Durga Puja
In Hindu mythology, Durga Puja centers around the battle between the goddess Durga and the demon king Mahishasura.
Imagine a super powerful demon named Mahishasura who kept bothering everyone, even the gods! When his torture got unbearable for everyone, The gods decided they needed a super powerful energy to stop him. So, they all got together combined their powers and created Ma Durga, a warrior goddess with ten arms and a lion for a ride!
Ma Durga had weapons from all the different gods, making her super strong. There was a big battle, but Our Ma Durga was so fierce that she defeated evil Mahishasura! Durga Puja is a big celebration of her victory – it’s like a giant party to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
But Durga Puja is more than just a party. It’s also a time to thank Durga for giving us good things, like a bountiful harvest. It’s kind of like a birthday party for Durga, but instead of cake, we offer her prayers and yummy foods!
Nobody knows exactly when Durga Puja started, but it’s been a really long time. People in India, especially in Bengal, have been celebrating it for hundreds of years!
The Five Days of Celebration
Shashthi
The sixth day of Navratri is kind of like the main course of a big feast! It’s called Shashthi, and this is when things get really exciting. The beautiful statue of Durga, the powerful goddess, is finally shown to everyone. People celebrate by singing and chanting special songs to honor Durga.
Saptami
On the seventh day of the festival, things get even more exciting! People do a special puja (prayer ceremony) where they wash a banana plant. This washing is like giving the plant a bath, and it represents the arrival of the goddess Durga. There’s lots of singing, dancing, and other fun celebrations throughout the whole day!
Ashtami
On the eighth day of a special festival, there are two big celebrations! First, people worship young girls like goddesses. This is really special because it shows respect for young women. Then, in the evening, there’s a puja to mark the switch from the eighth day to the ninth day. It’s like a farewell party for the eighth day and a welcome party for the ninth!
Navami
On the ninth day, things get happy and delicious! It’s a giant celebration with big meals shared by everyone. People come out to enjoy themselves, making the streets crowded with joyful folks. It’s a blast!
Dashami
The last day of the festival is like a big finale! People take the statues of the goddess for a special dip in a river or lake. This dip is called Visarjan. It’s a bittersweet moment because everyone says goodbye to the goddess, but they also know they’ll get to celebrate with her again next year!
Durga Puja: Pandals, Decorations and Foods
During Durga Puja in Kolkata, you’ll see amazing decorated tents called pandals. Each pandal has a special theme, like stories about Goddess Durga or scenes from Hindu holy books. Some pandals are even decorated to raise awareness about important social issues.
Top South Kolkata Pandals are :
Ekdalia, Gariahat
Location: Kalighat metro station is the nearest metro station, at a distance of 2.4 kilometers. You can get there by bus, car, or auto rickshaw in 8 to 10 minutes.
Chetla Agrani, Chetla
Location: The closest station is actually Kalighat Metro Station. From there, you can easily hail a taxi or rickshaw to complete your trip to the club.
Singhi Park, Gariahat
Location: You can take the Metro and reach Kalighat then you can take an auto to reach Gariahat; and from there, walk to Dover Lane.
Tridhara Sammilani
Location: The nearest metro station is Kalighat.
Mudiali Club
Location: Take the Metro to Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station. This is the most direct route and avoids any transfers.
Hindustan Park
Location: Take the Kolkata Metro’s Blue Line towards Kavi Subhash and get off at Rabindra Sarobar Station. From there, you can easily reach your destination in Southern Avenue, Mudiali by rickshaw, auto rickshaw, or taxi.
Badamtala Ashar Sangha
Location: The closest metro stop for Badamtala Ashar Sangha is Kalighat Metro Station. After exiting the metro, you can choose from various local options to reach the pandal, including taxis, rickshaws, or even a walkable distance.
Jodhpur Park
Location: The nearest railway station is Dhakuria. It is near Jodhpur Park Boys School.
Santoshpur Lake Pally
Location: There is no Metro route you can just take an auto from Tollygunge or Rabindra Sarovar to Jadavpur 8B and then an auto to Santoshpur.
41 Pally Club, Haridevpur
Location: You can take an auto from Tollygunge to 41 Pally Club, Haridevpur.
Top North Kolkata Pandals are:
Bagbazar Sarbojonin
Location: Nearest Metro Station is Shobhabazar Sutanuti Metro Station or Shyambazar Metro Railway Station from there you have to walk around 10 mins to reach the pandal.
Ahiritola Sarbojonin
Location: Nearest Metro Station is Shovabazar metro station from where you can take an auto or walk.
Kumartuli Park
Location: Nearest Metro Station is Shovabazar metro station.
Sreebhumi Sporting Club
Location: It is located in the Saltlake.
Hatibagan Sarbojonin
Location: Nearest Metro Station is Shovabazar metro station.
Sovabazar Rajbari
Location: Nearest Metro Station is Shovabazar metro station.
Santosh Mitra Square
Location: From Sealdah station you have to walk.
Kashi Bose Lane
Location: Nearest Metro Station is Shovabazar metro station.
Tala Prattoy
Location: Nearest Metro Station is Belgachia Metro Station.
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