Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016 :)

Golden India Journeys wishes Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2016 :)

Durga Pooja Durgotsab Dussehra

Durga Pooja (Durgotsab / Dussehra )- " An Indian annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga”

The Puja is celebrated for ten days, and the image is installed on the seventh day. The main rituals and prayer ceremonies start with the day of Mahalaya (first day), when it is assumed the goddess invoked in the idol. From Ashtami (eights day) till Dashami (Tenth day) devotees go to the Pandals which was created and decorated with the beautiful idol of goddess and seek Her blessings.

Sometime Pandals and sculptures inspired by a particular theme.

The inspiration of this Pandal comes from Bishnupur, an area in West Bangal India , which is famous for its terracotta temples and art work, as well as Baluchari Sari (a South Asian female garment), and the protima (idol) of Maa Durga has been created in the terracotta style, and the mandap (the temple porch) features artwork as seen on the pallus (the loose end of a Sari) of Baluchari Sari, the usual Baluchari print of Mahabharata depictions has  been substituted with the different 'roops'(appearance ) of Maa Durga, albeit in potua ( a unique community, whose traditional occupation is the painting and modeling of Hindu idols) style. 

The mandap had been created by the youngsters of Navapalli, New Delhi in Oct 2015, with the help of two artisans from West Bengal, using mixing of mud, coating it on jute panels which create a terracotta effect and ensuring that there is a vivid play of colours in the mandap because Durga Puja is synonymous with absolute exuberance and celebration. 

Durga Puja ends on Dashami when the goddess is immersed into the water.

Nowadays, Durgotsab is being arranged in countries such as the Nepal, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Singapore and Kuwait, among others. In 2006, a grand Durga Puja ceremony was held in the Great Court of the British Museum.

Durga Puja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Thus, Durga Puja festival epitomises the victory of Good over Evil. :)