How Durga Puja Festivals is Celebrated by Hindu
There is no religion without a festival and the Hindu
religion is famous for its countless festivals. Among these festivals, the
Durga Puja or the Vijaya Dashami is the most important. It is observed for ten
days in the month of Ashwin from the first day to the tenth day of the bright
fortnight. The origin of the Puja dates from the day on which Ram worshiped
goddess Durga for victory over Ravana. Since then the Durga Puja has been
celebrated every year.
How Durga Puja is Celebrated:
Although the Durga Puja is observed in all the countries
where Hindus live, there are different ways of conducting it. In the Terai
region of Nepal, an image or Idol made up of Marble of the goddess Durga with those of Laxmi and Saraswati on
either side is set up. The image or idols of Ganesh and Kartikeya, are placed by the
side of Laxmi and Saraswati respectively. All the images are beautifully
decorated. The real puja begins from Saptami and lasts on Navami. The religious
rites are carried on by the Brahmin priests during the music, dance, drama, and
fair.
The last day is the farewell to the goddess. This day is
known as Vijaya Dashami. A long farewell procession of people is arranged after
the due celebration on the last rites. The image of the goddess is taken up in
a car followed by a huge crowd. Religious slogans are shouted. The procession
reaches a river or a pond in which the image is immersed in water.
A Festival of Happiness:
This is a festival of great rejoicing. People indulge
themselves in merrymaking and feasting. They put on new clothes and eat
delicious meals. They go to the markets and purchase several kinds of things.
Young and old, boys and girls, rich and poor, all are happy. Ill-feelings and
bitterness are forgotten. People seek blessings from their superiors. The
superiors put Tika on the foreheads of the juniors. People feed their relatives
and friends.
The Durga Puja should be enjoyed without going beyond the
limit. Borrowing money to celebrate the festival is bad. Poor people must pay
attention to it. Devotion is a matter of heart, not of false show. We must
remember the proverb "Cut your coat according to your cloth"
Comments
Post a Comment