Over the centuries, Durga Puja has evolved from a private affair of Zamindars to a mass celebration on a global scale. It is now more than just a religious holiday – it is a cultural spectacle – he writes GYANESHWARA DAY

Come September and everyone is busy planning ‘Puja’, a festival dedicated to the goddess Durga in eastern India. The epicenter of all celebrations is, of course, Kolkata. Over the years, Durga Puja has evolved into a pan-Indian and global festival. With unparalleled zeal and devotion, people all over the world now gather to worship the goddess, celebrating her victory and divine power.

Durga Puja, one of the most revered and vibrant festivals in India, especially in West Bengal, celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Rooted in Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the goddess as the embodiment of Shakti, or divine feminine power. Over the years, Durga Puja has transformed from a primarily religious celebration into a grand socio-cultural extravaganza that has few similarities.

Durga Puja marks the victory of Goddess Durga, a fierce but compassionate deity, over Mahishasura, who threatened to disturb the balance of the universe. According to legend, Mahishasura received a boon that no one could defeat him. When terror was unleashed, the gods united to create Durga, a divine warrior goddess, who fought and ultimately killed Mahishasura. The festival celebrates Durga’s strength, resilience and protective nature while invoking blessings for peace, prosperity and protection from evil forces. It’s a mythology for everyone, but it’s a metaphor that may have a smaller audience, but the message is crystal clear nonetheless.

The metaphor and hidden message of Goddess Durga lies in her embodiment of divine feminine power, resilience and protection. As a many-armed warrior goddess, Durga symbolizes shakti (cosmic energy) in all beings, representing the strength needed to overcome life’s obstacles. Each weapon he holds represents different tools needed to defeat internal and external evils such as fear, ignorance, pride and injustice.

Metaphorically, Durga’s fight with Mahishasura, the king of demons, is a reflection of the ongoing battle between good and evil, not only in the cosmic sphere, but also in individuals and society as a whole. Her victory emphasizes that evil – whether oppression, greed or violence – can only be defeated by righteous action, courage and the collective strength of the divine and human will.

It is the triumph of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (immorality) and a reminder that goodness will ultimately prevail, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Moreover, Durga, as a motherly figure, embodies compassion and protection, emphasizing the balance between fierceness and care, teaching that strength does not negate love and compassion. Goddess Durga conveys a message of empowerment, especially for women, showing that power and authority lie in embracing your true self and purpose. In a broader sense, Durga’s story speaks of the need for balance between action and patience, destruction and creation, strength and empathy.

The festival is celebrated in the month of Ashwin (September-October) in the Hindu calendar, culminating on Vijayadashami, the tenth day when Durga’s victory is celebrated and her idols are immersed in water, symbolizing her return to Mount Kailash, her heavenly home.

Durga Puja is an elaborate and colorful festival, usually lasting five days – Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Vijayadashami. Every day is marked by rituals, prayers, cultural events and, of course, the unveiling of the idol of Goddess Durga in pandals (temporary, artistically designed structures). The celebration begins with the Bodhon ritual, or greeting of the goddess, on the sixth day.

From Zamindar Puja to public celebrations

Historically, Durga Puja was a private affair, celebrated in the homes of wealthy zamindar (landowner) families. However, in the late 18th century this began to change towards communal celebrations. In Kolkata, the first publicly organized Durga Puja, known as Baroyari Puja, was held in 1790 and since then the practice has spread throughout Bengal and beyond.

The first major movement towards a local Durga Puja or Barowari Puja took place in 1790 in the Hooghly district, near Kolkata. A group of twelve friends organized this puja to make the festival more inclusive and community-oriented, free from the exclusiveness of the zamindar class. This concept of collective worship was revolutionary at the time and laid the foundation for the public celebration of the holiday. The term “Barowari” comes from the words baro (twelve) and yari (friends), representing the group’s efforts to democratize Durga Puja.

Raja Nabakrishna Deb, the influential zamindar of Shobhabazar Rajbari in Calcutta, played a key role in popularizing Durga Puja beyond the private confines of aristocratic families. In 1757, after the British victory at the Battle of Plassey, Nabakrishna Deb invited British officers, including Robert Clive, to celebrate Durga Puja, creating a hybrid of Indian tradition and colonial influences.

In the late 19th century, Swami Vivekananda and the Ramakrishna Mission also played a key role in giving Durga Puja a broader, more public dimension. Through the Ramakrishna Mission, Durga Puja became associated with a nationalistic and cultural identity, with an emphasis on social service and community welfare. Swami Vivekananda himself performed Durga Puja at Belur Math in 1901, recognizing the festival as both a spiritual and social event.

Pandal jumping

The centerpiece of the festivities are pandals where elaborate idols of Durga are displayed along with her children – Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya and Ganesha. These pandals often depict intricate motifs ranging from mythological stories to contemporary social issues.

Durga Puja pandals have evolved far beyond simple religious displays to become a powerful platform for artistic expression and social commentary. Each year, these temporary structures are transformed into creative masterpieces that reflect not only devotion to the goddess Durga, but also highlight contemporary issues, from politics to global events and pressing social issues.

Some pandals engage artistically with local and national politics, offering thought-provoking critiques or support for political movements. For example, some recent themes focused on elections, depicting a goddess fighting against the forces of greed and dishonesty, metaphorically referring to social upheaval.

Several pandals focus on international issues such as climate change, world peace and refugee crises. They use innovative materials and designs to show how these global challenges impact humanity. For example, some recent installations have depicted Amazon rainforest fires, the pandemic, or refugee fights, linking Durga’s fight against evil with the global fight for environmental protection or humanitarian aid.

Many pandals are now powerful tools for raising awareness about social issues. They tackled women’s rights, child labour, education and even mental health. Some pandals creatively use Durga’s weapons to symbolize tools needed to fight social evils such as gender inequality and poverty, adapting the mythology of the goddess to contemporary social struggles. Themes such as women’s empowerment, gender justice and social harmony are depicted with a combination of artistry and symbolism.

In recent years, with increasing awareness about environmental protection, eco-friendly pandals have gained popularity. Artists use biodegradable materials such as clay, bamboo and jute to create these installations, and the themes often focus on sustainability and environmental awareness. These efforts not only help reduce pollution during immersion of idols, but also send a strong message about the urgent need to protect nature.

These innovative pandals transform Durga Puja not just into a religious festival, but into a cultural forum where tradition and modernity intersect, initiating dialogue on key social and global issues. Through artistry, they encourage introspection, inspire change, and unite communities in shared reflection.

Rituals and prayers

Devotees perform elaborate rituals such as pushpanjali (flower offerings) and aarti (lamp offerings), invoking the goddess’s blessings. On Ashtami, the main day of the festival, Sandhi Puja is performed with great fervour, symbolizing the transition from Ashtami to Navami. Kumari Puja, where young girls are worshiped as manifestations of the goddess, is also a key ritual.

Cultural performances and feasts

Apart from the religious aspect, Durga Puja is also a cultural festival. The communities organize music and dance performances, theater performances and art exhibitions. The festival is a time of feasting, with special dishes such as bhog (holy offering) and traditional Bengali sweets such as sandesh, rasgulla and mishti doi adding to the festive charm. Although Durga Puja has retained its core religious significance, the festival has undergone significant transformations over the centuries, transforming into a social, artistic and commercial spectacle.

Globalization Durga Puja

Today, Durga Puja is not limited to Bengal. Thanks to the global Bengali diaspora, the festival is celebrated on a grand scale in cities such as London, New York and Dubai. Modern technology, social media and live streaming of rituals have expanded the reach of Durga Puja, enabling devotees from all over the world to participate.

Durga Puja has also seen commercialization, with sponsorship and advertising driving the festival’s economy. The shopping, food and tourism sectors get a huge boost during this time as people from across the country and the world gather to experience the majesty of the festivities.

Durga Puja is more than just a religious festival; it is a living, living tradition that has evolved over time. While the core message of the triumph of good over evil remains unchanged, the festival has grown to embody the cultural and social pulse of Bengal, touching the lives of millions of people around the world. As Durga Puja continues to transform, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring power of faith, community and creativity. In today’s society, with the growing disregard for women’s dignity, the timeless message of Goddess Durga seems to be lost in the noise. People seem more focused on indulging in festive revelry than on understanding the deeper meaning of Durga’s empowerment. However, this is the fate of most festivals – moving from reflection to celebration.