Dussehra Celebrations in the City of Joy, Kolkata


Dussehra Celebrations in the City of Joy, Kolkata

Bangalore: Dussehra is derived from the Sanskrit word Dasha Hara, which means destroyer of evil or ‘cutting off the 10 heads of Ravana’. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country. While in North India, Ramlila is the highlight of Dussehra, in south India it is the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura that is celebrated. The Eastern state of West Bengal has its own story connected to this beautiful festival.

The chant of mantras and the festivities of Durga pooja are at its best in West Bengal. It is celebrated not just as a religious festival but also has a cultural and social significance.

Durga puja is the most important festival of West Bengal. The celebration in the city of Kolkata lasts for five days starting from Maha Shashti (the sixth day) and ending with Bijoya dashami (the tenth day).  As per mythology Goddess Durga descends to the Earth on Shashthi and returns to her abode on Dashmi. Maha-Shashti is like welcoming Goddess Durga and Dashami ends with immersing the idols in the lakes, rivers, and seas. Huge processions of devotees take part in this ceremony.

The preparations for this great festival are done with beautiful pandals built in various areas of the city and include community pujas. Clay idols of Bengal are renowned worldwide for the conventional way in which they are made. Further the festival is marked with decorations, gifts, new clothes and sweets.

Bengali cuisine is another important part of the festival and no celebration is complete without mouth-watering delicacies.

This festive time in Kolkata attracts tourists not only from India but from all parts of the world. There is feast and music everywhere in the city. It is an all-powerful deity, and festive atmosphere.