Abhishek's Musings

  DURGA PUJO: THE FESTIVAL OF DIVINE HOMECOMING AND TRIUMPH   “The Goddess comes home, and with her, the heart of Bengal beats a little louder, a little brighter”,  writes Sudeshna Banerjee in her book Durga Puja: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.   Imagine the beating of dhaak echoing across the streets, the air thick with the fragrance of incense and flowers, and a divine presence, four days of joy, felt in every corner. This is Durga Pujo – the majestic festival of eastern India and the heart and soul of Bengali culture. For four magical days, the Goddess Durga, the destroyer of evil, comes down from her celestial abode to visit her parents, Giriraj and Maneka. She was accompanied by her young children: daughters Laxmi and Saraswati and sons Kartik and Ganesha. She is welcomed with rituals and reverence- her visit symbolising the triumph of good over evil and the cyclical nature of life and death.   The roots of Durga Pujo date back to ancient Hindu scriptures, where Goddess Durga is

    GREEN DURGA PUJA CELEBRATIONS   “Celebrating Durga Puja in harmony with nature isn’t just about going green; it’s about showing respect to the Goddess and the planet she protects,”  observed environmental activist and writer Gitanjali Rao.   WHAT IS DURGA PUJA?   Durga Puja is a pulsating and holy Hindu festival that symbolises the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishashura, a battle that represents the destruction of ignorance and wickedness. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishashura had gained a boon that gave him immunity and made him nearly invincible, and he terrorised and stalked the heavens and the earth. In light of this situation, and to check the evil demon, the Gods combined their divine energies to create the powerful Goddess Durga, who defeated him after a nine-day prolonged deadly battle.   DURGA PUJA   As the rhythmic beating of Dhak drums and the fragrance of Dhuno fills the air dur