As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, the artistic creations and decorations in and around the Durga Puja pandals are really worth admiring. Take for instance these tribal terracotta artefacts I found in a homely Durga Puja pandal (at Panditiya Sandhya Sangha) on Panditiya Road in Ballygunge, Kolkata.
During Durga Puja, what’s interesting to see are the almost-unique artistic recreations/renditions of the Durga Puja tableau and the decorations of – and around – the puja ‘pandal’ (i.e. the makeshift temple) and the puja grounds. For instance, this year, Suruchi Sangha in suburban New Alipur in Kolkata (Calcutta) has a Durga idol/tableau in white marble. And, the decorations around the pandal grounds are colourful and quite awesome as you’ll see in these photographs:
Around this time of the year (Sept-Oct), Hindus in India (and all over the world) celebrate Durga Puja. Durga Puja is a representation of Goddess Durga destroying ‘mahishasura’ – i.e. an ‘asura’ (a demon) in the guise of ‘mahisha’ (a buffalo). It’s about good winning over evil, and Durga Puja is celebrated as a festival over several days. It is the most-loved festival of Bengalis – i.e. the people of (West) Bengal in Eastern India. A friend of mine in Zurich messaged me yesterday to say that she is attending Durga Puja there. So, go figure!
Durga Puja tableaux are created with much imagination and artistic flair, and can be considered works of art by all means. The typical tableau contains Goddess Durga (or Shakti, i.e. supreme power) in the centre, flanked by her children (last 4 photos): daughters Saraswati and Lakshmi; and sons Kartikeya and Ganesha. Each child is a Hindu goddess or god in her or his own right. Goddess Durga is seen standing tall upon her mascot, the lion. And, at her feet, is the vanquished ‘asura’ (the demon).
The following photos are of Durga Puja in Durgabari in Ballygunge, a suburb of Kolkata (Calcutta).
Hindu Goddess Durga is worshipped in several parts of India – particularly by Bengalis (the people of West Bengal state). Goddess Durga is the wife of Lord Shiva (the Destroyer) and represents ‘shakti’ or feminine strength. Durga Puja (a festival) is the worship and celebration of Goddess Durga’s victory over the ‘asura’ (demon) who was creating havoc over the human world.
The ‘asura’ (shape-shifter demon) comes disguised as a buffalo (‘mahisha’) and is also called ‘mahishasura’. However, there’s no escape for him. Goddess Durga and her fierce and loyal mascot, the lion, finds him and destroys him to save the world.
During Durga Puja, which is celebrated typically in the Autumn season, Goddess Durga is accompanied by her two daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati, and her two sons Kartik and Ganesha.
Here are photos of idols of Goddess Durga, her destruction of the ‘asura’, and her four children – as displayed at the Durga Puja festival in Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai:
playing with memories 