Durga puja experience by geetanjali chatterjee class 10 C

 Durga puja is a festival in West Bengal that is celebrated for 4-5 days by bengalis in many parts of india and abroad. For those who have not experienced it first-hand, I will strongly recommend to do that some day. For me, the authenticity of the experience went a notch higher, when I decided to document the festival in the rural corner of Bengal. 

𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗹𝘀 

The preparation of creating the idols is a fascinating experience in itself. In Kolkata, people visit kumortuli to document the same. 

𝟮 '𝗕𝗼𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗻' 𝗢𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗹

The idol of durga and her children ( saraswati, lakshmi, ganesh,kartik) are kept under the wrap, until 'bodhan' happens. 

𝟯. 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴

'Pandal hopping' is a phrase is of utmost importance on the durga puja days for a week. Different clubs and localities create pandals to host the idol of durga and her children. The Pandals to host the idol of durga and her children. The pandals are create on the basis of various themes, handicraft skills, and at times touching upon relevant topics in our society. 

𝟰. '𝗔𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗹𝗶' 𝗢𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Prayers are offered with chanting in the morning on the three days of the Festival. Even if one does not want to take part, the atmosphere is amazing, especially with the chanting and the 'dhak' Or drum sound that follows. 

𝟱. 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗷𝗮 - 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹

I have been documentibg many festivals across the world. When I say that this festival transcends religion cast, creed - it is as authentic as it gets. Whether farmers, or even brothers and sisters from other religions, or the urban youth- everybody participates in this carnival. 

𝟲. '𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗸𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗮' 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻

On the last day of the festival, before the idols are taken out for immersion in the designated waterbodies, the women play with vermilions. It's a beautiful way to exchange vibes and be part of a distinct ritual. 

After the rituals, the idols are taken out for immersion procession before they are submerged into the waterbodies.