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Bring out your festive mood because Durga Puja, one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, is coming on October 10! This vibrant and colorful celebration is a tribute to the Hindu goddess Durga and is a major event in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Bengal. The history of Durga Puja goes back many centuries and is steeped in tradition and mythology. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Get ready to relish the feeling of community, enjoy the music, the dance, and soak in the celestial love of Durga Puja!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Origins of Durga Puja</div><div class='timeline-text'>The earliest references to Durga Puja can be found in late medieval texts. It grew proportionately with the rise of Shaktism, a major tradition of Hinduism focusing on goddess cults.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Landlord-Sponsored Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the 18th century, large-scale community celebrations became common. Landlords and kings sponsored grand Durga Pujas, often as expressions of their power and status.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Raja Rammohan Roy's Impact</div><div class='timeline-text'>Raja Rammohan Roy, a social reformer, advocated against superficial rituals and inaccessible priests. His influence shaped a more personal, interactive shape of Durga Puja.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1905</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Durga Puja and Indian Nationalism</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the partition of Bengal in 1905, Durga Puja became a means of expressing Indian nationalism against British rule.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Commercialization of Durga Puja</div><div class='timeline-text'>From the 1970s, corporate sponsorships transformed Durga Puja into a grander festival, further enhancing its appeal and scale.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Durga Puja Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Today, Durga Puja is not just limited to India. It is celebrated with enthusiasm across the globe, reflecting the widespread diaspora of Indian culture.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create vibrant Rangoli designs</h3><p class='facts-text'>Rangoli is an art form that originated in India. These designs are usually made out of colored rice or powders during festivals. This Durga Puja, bring your creative side forward and create intricate, colorful Rangoli designs at the entrance of your home.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Prepare traditional dishes</h3><p class='facts-text'>Cooking is an integral part of Durga Puja. This festive season, delve into the world of traditional flavors by preparing dishes like Shorshe Ilish, Begun Bhaja or Mishti Doi. Sharing these delicacies with friends and family will add to the joy and spirit of the festival.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in cultural performances</h3><p class='facts-text'>Drama and dance performances are a key feature of Durga Puja celebrations. You can participate in a local community performance or even organize a skit or dance number among family members to showcase talent and be part of the festivities.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Organize a Garba night</h3><p class='facts-text'>Garba is a traditional Gujarati folk dance performed with a lot of grace and enthusiasm during Durga Puja. Organizing a Garba night at home or with friends is a fun way to indulge in festivities, socialize and get into the spirit of Durga Puja.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate to the needy</h3><p class='facts-text'>Durga Puja is all about spreading joy and positivity. This Durga Puja, take time to donate food, clothes or essential items to the needy. This small act of kindness will reflect the true spirit of Durga Puja and bring warmth to someone's heart.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Durga Puja symbolizes the victory of good over evil</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Durga Puja commemorates the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura, underscoring the powerful message that good inevitably conquers evil. This profound theme resonates with people universally and serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Durga Puja is a cultural treasure trove</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From vibrant Rangoli designs and traditional culinary delights to lively performances, Durga Puja is a window into the rich cultural heritage of India. It presents an opportunity to experience and appreciate the diverse traditions associated with the festival, further enhancing its appeal.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Durga Puja brings communities together </h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>This beautiful festival creates a profound sense of community, encouraging people to come together in mutual celebration and camaraderie. Be it through organizing a Garba night or generously donating to the needy, Durga Puja fosters a spirit of unity and love among individuals.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bengal</h3><p class='facts-content'>Durga Puja, aply known as Pujo, is not just a religious festival in Bengal. It transforms into the most significant socio-cultural event in the region, with both Hindus and non-Hindus participating in the celebrations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Life-Size Sculptures of Durga, made from scratch</h3><p class='facts-content'>Every year, artists create new life-size clay sculptures of Goddess Durga and her children for the festival. After the celebrations, these sculptures are ritually immersed in water, symbolizing Durga’s return to Mount Kailash.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The "Pandal" - An Architectural Marvel</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each community, or "para", erects a temporary structure called a "Pandal". These Pandals serve as the temporary home for the Goddess and are often grand and architecturally astonishing, ranging from replicas of famous temples to modern art installations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Each day has its own significance and rituals</h3><p class='facts-content'>The ten-day festival is divided into distinct parts. The first six days are for preparations, followed by “Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami”, and finally “Vijaya Dashami”, the day of the final procession. Each day has its own specific rituals, making every moment of the festival unique.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>World record for the longest dance parade was set during Durga Puja</h3><p class='facts-content'>In 2012, during Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata, the world record for “the longest dance parade” was set. Around 2,100 dancers participated in this parade, which extended for 3.2 miles (5.1 kilometers).</p></div></div>
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