Durga Puja in Bengal

          By Prof.(Dr.)Dewakar Goel

India is the only country in the world which has got the distinction of being the largest democracy and its secularism which is being practiced by all the citizens in letter and sprit irrespective of the religion they belong.

Sometimes I feel as to how all parts of the country are so united besides many reasons one thing comes to my mind i.e. religion. More precisely, the Hindu Festivals, the places of pilgrimage which are located in different parts of the country. If a Hindu has to do the pilgrimage tour to Chaar Dham, he has to visit Jagannath Puri in Orissa, Badrinath in Utlarchal State, Rameshwar and in Tamil Nadu and Dewarka Puri in Gujarat. The lakhs of pilgrims keep on visiting these places round the year giving the message of religion to the states they pass through. This is one aspect of our religious life which keeps us united as Indians.

Now, comes the festivals which give the distinction to a state with a common goal of brotherhood and unity. The Ganapathi Festival in Maharastha is being celebrated by people belonging to all religions and the whole month, the people from all walks of life in Maharastha are busy in one form or the other having the message of Lord Ganesh for all the people irrespective of their religion. This festival in Maharastha is not very old since the same was started by Lok Manya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The On am Festival of Kerala in South India State is another famous festival which is having the message of Hindu Religion and the same is practiced by people belonging to all the religion in the country. The fortnight of Onam Festival is having the feeling of brotherhood among all the people in South Indian States.

Durga Puja in Bengal is somewhat unique festival which is celebrated for the Goddess of power and prosperity. Maa Durga is worshiped all over the country by all the Hindus in different forms whether it is for Laxmi, Parvati, Santoshi Ma, Vaishno Devi, Kali Maa, these are all Maa Durga. In Bengal, we have a distinction of worshiping Goddess Durga in a very special way. This celebration is unique. The people of all religions unite in making the Durga Idols which are worshiped for 5 (five) days and then emerged in Ganga. Then comes the Kali Puja. The whole fortnight is devoted to Durga Puja. The magnificent Durga Panda Is, the decoration, lighting and the process of making Durga Idols which starts month's before, is something very great.

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Such a zeal, sprit and enthusiasm among the people to celebrate this festival far away from any caste, creed and religion is something unimaginable.

Maa Durga comes every year in Bengal with message. This year when the entire world specially our country is suffering with terrorism. Maa Durga came to destroy and kill the terrorist forces meaning thereby that Maa Durga on Horse destroy the dance of evil forces not only in Bengal but all over the world. This is what we see as war of USA against Terrorism. This is nothing but message of Maa Durga because Goddess Durga is the form of Shakti i.e. Power. This is my oWn hypothesis and imagination what I could perceive after knowing the fact that Maa Durga comes sometimes on Boat i.e. brings the crop and other materials for development. Durga comes on Elephant with the message of Peace and Durga's original form is on a lion, when we see our Durga Maa, the powerful Goddess.

Durga Puja in Bengal is a festival which is not only for Hindus but for all the people. Thousands and thousands of people are involved in celebrating the festival as craftsmen while making Durga Idols irrespective of their religion i.e. Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Sikhs. While making the idols they have the feeling for doing their best for Ma Durga. This particular sprit touches me and we see Durga Puja as a festival of all religions.

Let us pray to Maa Durga on this auspicious occasion to grant peace all over the world and destroy the evil elements.