প্রাচীন ধারা ও বিকাশ দুর্গা পূজা বঙ্গের অন্যতম বৃহৎ ও জনপ্রিয় হিন্দু উৎসব। এর সূচনা নিয়ে নানা মত প্রচলিত। ঐতিহাসিক দলিলপত্র ও প্রাচীন গ্রন্থ ঘেঁটে পাওয়া যায় যে, ১১শ শতাব্দীতেও দুর্গার আরাধনা অনুষ্ঠিত হত, তবে তা মূলত চৈত্রী দুর্গা বা বসন্তকালে পালিত হতো। পরবর্তী সময়ে পূজার মূল সময়স্থানান্তর ঘটে শরতে—পুরাণ মতে, শারদীয় দুর্গাপূজার প্রচলন প্রথম করেছিলেন শ্রীরাম,…
Mythical and Scriptural Roots: The worship of goddess Durga originates from ancient Hindu scriptures, especially the Devi Mahatmya (part of the Markandeya Purana, roughly composed by the 5th-6th century CEM. This text celebrates the divine feminine power (Shakti) who defeats the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing cosmic victory of good over evil. Early Bengal Practices: While…
1. Devi as Primordial Power The text opens by establishing Nirguna Bhagavati—the formless, transcendent goddess—as the foundational reality from which all existence emerges. Identified variously as Adi Parashakti or Brahman, she is posited as both the origin and sustaining principle of the cosmos. All creative, preservative, and dissolving forces in the universe ultimately derive their…
Kumartuli, which translates to “the potters’ quarter,” emerged in North Kolkata during the late 18th century, following the British establishment of Fort William after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. In the aftermath, the British administration organized the city by allocating specific neighborhoods to various artisan communities, designating Kumartuli for potters and idol-makers. Initially, Kumartuli…
When examining Durga’s characterization as Adi Prakriti within Shaktism, one confronts a nuanced and foundational strand of Hindu philosophy. Durga, or Mahadevi, is not simply positioned as a divine figure but as the primordial substratum and creative impetus of the entire cosmos. This theme is especially pronounced in the Devi Bhagavata Purana and other core…
The Navadurga: Nine Manifestations of Supreme Power (as detailed in the Devi Purana)….Significance of Navaratri The Devi Purana presents nine distinct forms of the goddess Durga, each embodying a unique aspect of her divinity. These manifestations are venerated during Navaratri, with each day dedicated to one form, and each bestowing particular blessings upon devotees. Below…
The Primordial Nature of Devi: Transcending Creation, Preservation, and Destruction Within the Devi Mahatmya, Durga emerges as a manifestation of the collective energies of the male deities; however, other Puranas, notably the Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Kalika Purana, present Devi (the Goddess) as the ultimate ontological reality—superior even to the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu,…
The artistry of Durga Puja is dynamic, reflecting societal changes and artistic innovations. Thematic Depth and Social Commentary: More and more pandals are moving beyond mere aesthetics to convey powerful social, environmental, or cultural messages. Artists often use their installations to comment on issues like climate change, migration, women’s empowerment, preserving heritage, or the breakdown…
The Devi Bhagavata Purana—sometimes referred to as the Devi Bhagavatam, Bhagavata Purana, or Srimad Devi Bhagavatam—is a foundational Sanskrit text, recognized as one of the eighteen Mahapuranas in Hindu literature. For practitioners devoted to Devi (the Goddess), this scripture holds particular significance, effectively serving as a central sacred text. The Purana is extensive, spanning twelve…
Though the worship of the Goddess existed in ancient India and several other countries, it was in Bengal that Durga Puja began, expanded, and became a grand festival. Scholars differ on who initiated it and when. Some believe that Raja Kangsa Narayan of Tahirpur in Rajshahi (now in Bangladesh) began Durga Puja in the late…