India is known for its festivals where you get to see unique culture in every part of the country. Festivals are a means to bring life into a state of joy and enthusiasm, without which life seems desolate. Today in this episode we are going to talk about West Bengal which is called the land of festivals. The festivals of West Bengal include diverse cultures and traditions. Many festivals are celebrated in this state, some of which are organized with grand arrangements. These festivals offer a view of ancient history and mesmerizing culture. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about those festivals that are considered festivals in West Bengal. Let us know about them...
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a famous festival in West Bengal that is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Few festivals are so deeply associated with a place and Durga Puja in West Bengal is one such obvious festival that everyone knows. Also known as Durga Pujo, Akalbodhan, Sharadiya Pujo, Mahapujo, or Mayer Pujo, the popular Hindu festival is marked by the arrival of Goddess Durga along with her descendants including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kartikeya. Are included. The last day of Durga Puja is marked by several rituals and ends with Sindoor Khela, followed by a procession of clay idols which are then immersed in the river. It is believed that on this day Durga returns to Shiva and hence it is considered an auspicious day for married women and they indulge in Sindoor Khela for their blissful married life. This elaborate festival is a true depiction of the grand celebration and enthusiasm among the people of West Bengal irrespective of caste or creed.
Dol Purnima
Holi festival is celebrated as `Dol Utsav' in West Bengal. Among the many festivals of West Bengal, this one is the most prominent. The festival of Holi in this state is famous by other names – ‘Purna Purnima’, ‘Vasant Utsav’, and ‘Dol Yatra’. This festival was started in this state by the world-famous poet Rabindranath Tagore at Visva Bharati University, of which he was the pioneer. People of the state welcome the spring season not only with colors and sweets but also with bhajans and other devotional songs.
Jamai Shasthi
Jamai Shashthi is a unique festival in West Bengal, which reflects the beautiful relationship of the son-in-law with his in-laws. It is celebrated on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha (May or June). The traditional festival of Jamai Shashthi lays the foundation of strong family bonds. On this special day, the son-in-law is welcomed with all the rituals; A paste of curd is applied on their forehead and a yellow thread, called Shashti Suto, is tied on their wrist. This special thread is dyed yellow with the help of turmeric and it is believed that Maa Shashthi, who takes care of her children, has blessed this thread and hence she will take care of her son-in-law as well. A feast is organized for the son-in-law and while he eats the delicious course, the mother-in-law fans him with a palm leaf. It is a beautiful and typical festival of West Bengal which brings relatives closer and shows the warmth of relationships.
Chariot Festival
It is the birthday celebration of Lord Jagannath, who on this day goes to his maternal uncle's house by his chariot and returns after a week. The most famous Rath Yatra in West Bengal is Mahesh's Rath Yatra in Serampur. It attracts lakhs of tourists from the state as well as the entire country. This day is considered a very auspicious day and marks the beginning of the sowing season for the monsoon crop across eastern India. Grand fairs are organized all over the state, which are called ‘Rather Melas’.
Saraswati Puja
Saraswati Puja is performed between January and February in West Bengal. Considered to be one of the typical festivals held in West Bengal, Saraswati Puja is held on the homecoming day of Goddess Saraswati. Also known as Vasant Panchami in the northern regions of the country, this festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the month of Magh. An auspicious occasion for things related to education and learning, this day holds special significance for Bengalis. For children to begin their academic education, it is considered an extremely auspicious occasion. During the puja, the idols of Goddess Saraswati are well decorated and girls wear colorful attire to have darshan of the goddess.
Nabo Borsho
Nabo Borsho is the Bengali New Year of the Bengali community. It is celebrated in the month of 'Baisakh' or in April. It is an occasion of extreme joy especially for Bengalis and businessmen. This involves visiting temples and relatives' homes, making offerings, buying new clothes, greeting people, etc.
Poila Baisakh
More colloquially known as Pohela, Poila Baisakh is the traditional New Year's Day celebrated every year on 14 April in West Bengal. The festival is celebrated with processions, fairs, family time, and traditional Bong food. Also known as Nabo Barsho, meaning New Year, it is celebrated as a state holiday and the people of West Bengal mark the day by taking a dip in rivers and worshiping Lakshmi and Ganesha. Apart from cleaning and decorating houses with Rangoli, people in West Bengal gather to offer Arghya to the rising sun as it is considered auspicious. The Bangla Music Fair is organized by the government, and many professional and amateur singers, dancers, and theater artists participate in the fair.
Kali Pooja
Kali Puja is one of the grand festivals of West Bengal after Durga Puja. The worship of Goddess Kali makes the festival of Diwali very unique in the state of West Bengal. Houses and temples throughout the state are vibrantly decorated and lit with oil lamps, candles, or `diyas`. During Kali Puja, all the family members gather in the evening to burst crackers together. Goddess Kali is worshiped during ‘Amavasya’. ‘Bhoot Chaturdashi’ is celebrated a day before Kali Puja, when 14 lamps are lit simultaneously in every Bengali house and they also take 14 types of leafy vegetables. ‘Bhoot Chaturdashi’ is considered a powerful day for the spirits.
(PC: Lifeberrys)
