{"id":11950,"date":"2022-09-10T17:59:20","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T12:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.savaari.com\/blog\/?p=11950"},"modified":"2024-08-05T14:34:40","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T09:04:40","slug":"durga-puja-a-celebration-of-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.savaari.com\/blog\/durga-puja-a-celebration-of-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Durga Puja to Navratri to Dussehra – A Celebration of Women Empowerment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Righteous, righteous, and brave! Maa Durga, the Divine Mother and the goddess of power who represents “shakti,” guards everyone against harm and pain. Be it the Bengali Durga Puja, Gujarati dandiya or the grand Mysore Dasara celebrations that commemorate the destruction of demon king Mahishasura \u2014 these festivals bring the country together in the triumph of good over evil. The common thread that ties them all together? The devotion, enthusiasm and sincerity of the people. Whether it is the months of preparation for Durga Puja pandals or the 75-day long tribal celebration in Bastar \u2013 every state has their own stories. Moreover, these festivities prove several ways devotees worship Goddess Durga. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hindu mythology introduces Durga as the fearless, formidable warrior goddess who slays a vicious demon after he has been rendered invincible by any man or god. Her three fierce eyes, her ten hands holding ten weapons, and her ride on the lion depict her unassailable vigour. Today she stands tall as a glaring example of feminine energy on earth, so much so that Durga Puja has become a celebration of women and “Durga”, a synonym for women’s empowerment!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Legend of Durga<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The lore goes back to the half-buffalo demon, Mahishasur who did severe penance to please Lord Brahma. Seeing his devotion, Lord Brahma appeared and granted him a wish. Mahishasur wished that he be made the supreme power on earth, and in heaven – no man would be able to defeat him! Lord Brahma had to reluctantly grant his wish. Soon enough, Mahishasur became all-powerful and fearless, he wreaked destruction across earth and heaven. The devas of heaven collectively raised their concerns to Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The three gods combined their powers to create a warrior \u2018woman\u2019 who would vanquish the demon, and Durga was created.<\/strong> She was the one-woman army who was bestowed with multiple weapons and powers from the devas, each sharing a copy of their own weapon. Vishu gave her his Sudarshan Chakra, Shiva gave her the Trishul, Ganesha gave her the sword and so forth.  <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Goddess
Goddess Durga slays the half-buffalo demon, Mahishasur<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Durga on her lion, descended from the heavens and reached Mahishasur\u2019s palace. In a harrowing 10-day battle, Durga fought fiercely and unleashed her divine wrath to destroy the demon\u2019s various forms before beheading him on the 10th day.<\/strong> Durga is one of the best examples of a single entity embodying Ferocity as well as Compassion. Equal parts Destroyer and Creator, Durga\u2019s life and story provide invaluable learnings for women of all ages, that within them resides the ability to be protector and care-giver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durga Puja in West Bengal <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the festival takes different forms in different parts of the country, the central theme of worshipping the female form of power remains consistent. The theme is most prominent in West Bengal<\/a>, where the celebration is dedicated to breaking the norms of patriarchy and social taboos around women.<\/strong> The modern day pandals are themed to glorify the various roles a woman takes up in her life – from a dedicated mother, wife and sister to a boss woman at work! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durga Puja 2024 dates start from Wed, 9 Oct, to Sun, 13 Oct in West Bengal.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Kolkata Durga Puja pandal pays tribute to the sex workers<\/strong>
Credit: The Indian Express<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Sindoor khela<\/em><\/strong>, which was previously a forte of married women, is open to all today – the sex workers, the transgender women as well as widows. In fact, the sex workers of Kolkata are endowed with the responsibility of organising pandals in Sonagachi, the city\u2019s red light area. In the year 2018, the world\u2019s first street graffiti art was unveiled which highlighted the struggles of these women and fought for their rights. One of the puja committees dedicated the year\u2019s pandal to this theme, and special invitations were extended to these women to judge the puja competitions and participate in the various rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Sindoor Khela<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The nine days of celebration in Kolkata is all about lauding the spirit and beauty of the feisty women of Bengal who are known for their gender neutral relationships!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Savaari Recommends: Some of the best pandals that you must visit during Durga Puja in Kolkata in 202<\/strong>4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n