Uma Purkayastha
Over the years, popularity of Durga Puja has been increasing not only in India, but in the west too. Indians living abroad, especially the Bengalis feel strongly about the necessity of togetherness and upholding one’s identity, when the Puja season ensues. Even though it is an expensive and cumbersome affair, the enthusiastic lot have the idols collected from Kolkata by air and make local arrangements through donations from the community to kickstart the celebrations in full swing.
At present, Durga Puja is celebrated in many cities in the United States but the oldest community Durga Puja in the US was held in Columbia University organised by the East Coast Durga Puja Association (ECDPA) in 1970. Now, not only in the US but the UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Germany, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and many other countries celebrate Durga Puja.
The rising appeal of Durga Puja stems from the fact that it is not only a religious festival, but a festival of love and concord, a festival of joy and togetherness, a great festival which represents the original (Sanatan) culture and tradition of India of bravery, women power, triumph of good over evil, an extravagant show of arts, crafts and culture, hospitality along with knowledge, reciprocal exchange of love and regards, peace and prosperity, and above all universal fraternity! This is the core of Durga Puja.
‘Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhuutessu Shaanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah’
Obeisance to the Devi, who in all beings abides in the form of Peace! Obeisance to Her again and again. (Translated)
Those who observe the festival believe that Durga is the goddess of strength (Adya Shakti), destroyer of all evils and protects the universe from the oppression of the dark forces. The Sanskrit hymns (mantras), chanted during the puja.
‘Praseedo Visweswari, Pahi Viswam’ i.e ‘O goddess be pleased; and protect the universe from all evils’. (Translated)
The goddess is worshipped through prayers, to grant strength to triumph over evil, to turn the world into an abode of peace and to unite us with the feeling of oneness.
After three days of merriment, the community also celebrates “Bijoya Dasahmi”, a ceremony that upholds the virtues of victory of light over darkness and honesty over dishonesty; standing for the ethical value of forgiveness. People embrace their friends and foes alike, leaving aside personal animosities, rivalries and misunderstandings of the past.
‘Bijoya’ thus enables society to reinvigorate itself with a tie of renewed love and brotherhood. This great union plays a very significant role in the constructive rejuvenation of the society. It is not confined to a particular religion or caste or creed only; but it welcomes all, and aims at promoting universal brotherhood. This is exactly what The Sanatan Dharma (Hindu) aims at – universal welfare and integrity; which explains the admiration of Durga Puja, worldwide.
