First Day of Durga Puja Festivities in India

When did the First Day of Durga Puja Festivities in India start?

The first recorded date of First Day of Durga Puja Festivities in India being celebrated on September 28 was in the year 9th century.

About First Day of Durga Puja Festivities in India Holiday

On the auspicious day of Durga Puja, India is filled with immense joy and excitement. Celebrating the victory of good over evil, the beautiful festival of Durga Puja brings together people of all walks of life.

It is believed that Durga, the goddess of power, emerges from her cosmic home on this day to fight the demon Mahishasur and protect the goodness of the world. On the very first day of the festivities, devotees pay their respects to the goddess by offering puja and prayers. Being the occasion of utmost religious and cultural significance, people of India rejoice and indulge in the celebrations heartily.

The beginning of the five-day long celebrations is marked with ‘Mahalaya’, when the deities are bathed in red hibiscus and saffron paste. Everywhere around the country, devotees can be seen taking part in rituals and singing hymns in honour of the goddess. There are also traditional dance performances, competitions, sports, and special treats add to the festivity.

Today, on the First Day of Durga Puja, India will be filled with colours and sounds of celebration. People of all ages are united in paying obeisance to the goddess and all life's joys and worries are brought to a standstill. May Durga Maa's blessings shower upon us with abundance and prosperity. Jai Maa Durga!

First Day of Durga Puja Festivities in India

History and Origin

The First Day of Durga Puja Festivities is one of the biggest Hindu holidays in India. It is believed to have started more than 4,000 years ago and has been celebrated all over India since then. It marks the beginning of the celebrations of the ten-day Durga Puja festival, which commemorates the victory of the Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. According to the Hindu calendar, Durga Puja is held in the month of Ashvina during the fortnight (or ‘shukla paksha’) leading up to the new moon. This year, the First Day of Durga Puja Festivities falls on October 21. It is associated with a range of symbolic rituals, such as the wearing of new clothes and offering prayers to the Goddess Durga.

The origin of the festival is closely linked to Hindu mythology and tells the story of the battle between the Devi, or Goddess Durga, and the demon Mahishasura. According to the tale, the gods were threatened by the growing power of Mahishasura and enlisted the help of Durga to defeat him. After a fierce battle, Durga emerged victorious and to celebrate her victory, the gods declared the day as the first day of Durga Puja Festivities.

Significance and Meaning

The First Day of Durga Puja Festivities has great religious significance for the Hindus of India, who pay their respects to the Goddess Durga in various ways. The festival is seen as a time of renewal and rebirth – a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. The celebration of Durga Puja is seen as an affirmation of the power of good to overcome evil. It also signifies the triumph of moral order over chaos and chaos of the spirit over physical desires.

Traditions and Celebrations

On the First Day of Durga Puja Festivities, devotees observe fasts and wear new clothes in honor of the Goddess. The day begins with a puja (a Hindu religious ritual), in which the face of the Goddess Durga is consecrated with offerings of flowers, incense and lamps. The offering of food, known as ‘bhog’, is an important part of the puja ritual. After offering prayers, devotees observe a procession, known as the ‘rath yatra’, in which two young boys, dressed as the driver and charioteer, take turns to pull a chariot through the streets.

Later in the evening, devotees gather around bonfires and break open coconuts as a symbol of goodwill and good health. Songs and dances are performed and celebrated with great enthusiasm. The atmosphere of joy and exuberance is further enhanced by the huge array of decorative pandals, or marquees, set up in scorching heat or pouring rain – these banners laud the Goddess and are illuminated with dazzling colors.

Geographical spread

The First Day of Durga Puja Festivities is widely celebrated in different parts of India and in different styles. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Bihar and other eastern states of India, where Durga Pujas are traditionally held in full grandeur for a period of five days. However, in some parts of India, the Durga Puja is more of an abbreviated two-day festival.

In West Bengal, it is customary to adorn the goddess with elaborate jewellery, clothing and decorative artwork. This practice is often carried out in a grand ceremony known as Kumari Puja, in which unmarried girls are adorned with jewellery as an act of reverence. The grand Idol of the Goddess Durga is taken on a procession around the city, accompanied by traditional music, dancing, singing and chanting of the Hindu mantras.

Modern-Day Observations

In recent years, many modern interpretations of the Durga puja have arisen. For Instance, in some parts of India, the traditional puja rituals are followed by a grand fireworks display and a carnival-like atmosphere, complete with food stalls and rides.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• The Devi Mahatmya, which is a part of the Markandeya Purana, is said to have been composed during the Durga Puja festivities.

• A special type of clay called ‘ashtuddi’ is used to create religious images of Durga during the Durga Puja celebrations.

• It is believed that the Goddess Durga visits her devotees every year during the celebrations and blesses them with health, wealth, and prosperity.

• In some parts of India, special feasts are organized as the Puja celebrations come to an end.

• Durga Puja is celebrated as a national holiday in India.

• It is believed that the Goddess Durga ridden on a lion symbolizes the power of the valiant and divine over evil and darkness.

• The ritual of breaking a coconut symbolizes the destruction of negative forces of nature.

• The name ‘Durga’ has a meaning of ‘inaccessible’ – it implies that no one can come close to the Goddess without being blessed.

• The tantric form of the Goddess is known as ‘Nayikasundari’ and is composed of 64 great yoginis.

• It is believed that the Devi banished evil in the world of gods, oblivious of her own power of strength.

Holiday Wishes

• Wishing you a blessed festival of Durga Puja.
• May the spirit of Durga Puja fill your home with peace, joy and prosperity.
• May this Durga Puja bring you joy and happiness.
• Sending my warm wishes on this holy occasion.
• A very happy Durga Puja to you and your family.

Holiday Messages

• May the courage of Goddess Durga lead you to victory over all your difficulties.
• May the blessings of Maa Durga bring love, peace, and harmony in your life.
• Wishing you an incredibly festive Durga Puja!
• May this joyous occasion enlighten your life with peace and prosperity.
• May the blessings of Goddess Durga shower you on this special day.

Holiday Quotes

• “Durga Puja is the celebration of divine feminine power.” – Unknown.
• “Eternally victorious in battles, she is traditionally worshipped four of five times a year. These four or five times include the three great Festivals of Durga Puja, Dipawali, Sharad Purnima and Sadasivratri.” – Vishnu Purana
• “It is only when the family is united and prospers that it finds favour with God.” – Vedas
• “How do we receive the grace of Durga? By worshipping, by praising her and by offering sacrifices.” – Brihadaranyaka
• “Let the Goddess Durga, the divine mother, bless you with her divine force of power, protection and prosperity.” – Unknown

Other Popular Holiday Info

The Durga Puja festival is also celebrated in neighboring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, the festival is popularly known as ‘Durga Puja’ or ‘Dussehra’, and is an integral part of the national culture. In Nepal, the festival is celebrated as ‘Dashain’ or ‘Dussehra’, and is the most important Hindu festival in the country. Similarly, in Myanmar, Durga Puja is celebrated as ‘Karenni Doh Pyah’, a traditional festival that has been celebrated for thousands of years.

For Indians living abroad, the celebration of Durga Puja is equally important. Even though living away from home can be difficult, people find solace by celebrating the festival with friends and family in a traditional way.

If you are looking to experience the flavor of a traditional Durga Puja, the best way to do it is to visit a temple or pandals in India. During the festival, various cultural events and competitions take place. It is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of celebration and explore the one-of-a-kind customs that are part of the Indian culture.

The First Day of Durga Puja Festivities is a magnificent celebration that is full of religious significances, cultural rituals, and festive revelries, and it is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the true spirit of India.