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Get ready to immerse yourself in vibrant hues, reverberating music, and spiritual fervour on October 10! This is no ordinary day, my friends. Mark this date in your calendars - it's Maha Saptami; the day when the grand celebrations of Durga Puja officially kick-off. This tradition, steeped in rich history and culture, is observed during the seventh lunar day in the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashvin. Said to be established as far back as the late medieval period, Maha Saptami is not just a celebration but a connection of millions of hearts in unison. Soak into the spirit of the day and let the rhythmic beats of the dhak, the intoxicating fragrance of the flowers and incense fill your senses and spirit with immense delight!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1100s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Durga Puja</div><div class='timeline-text'>The origins of Durga Puja rituals trace back to the 12th century, making Maha Saptami an ancient religious observance.</div></div></div><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'>Durga Puja In Literature</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first mention of Durga Puja, including the seventh day ritual of Maha Saptami, is found in Sanskrit literature from the 16th century.</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'>Public Celebrations Begin</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 18th century, public Durga Puja celebrations, including Maha Saptami, became more common and widespread in Bengal.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1947</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Maha Saptami Post-Independence</div><div class='timeline-text'>After India's independence in 1947, Maha Saptami and Durga Puja gained even more significance as a celebration of cultural identity.</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'>Maha Saptami Today</div><div class='timeline-text'>Today, Maha Saptami is celebrated with extreme fervor and spirituality around the world, highlighting the power of faith and unity across cultures.</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'>Decorate a home temple</h3><p class='facts-text'>Start the Maha Saptami celebrations by decorating your home temple. Use garlands of marigold flowers, banana leaf, earthen pots, and traditional Bengali alpana (rice paste designs) to decorate.</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'>Conduct a Pran Pratishtha ritual at home</h3><p class='facts-text'>Pran Pratishtha is a ritualistic way of inviting deities into idols. During Saptami, this ritual is carried out with great faith and fervor to invite Durga into our homes and hearts.</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'>Prepare traditional fare</h3><p class='facts-text'>Maha Saptami is full of flavors. Prepare traditional cuisine like Panta Bhaat (fermented rice), Shorshe Ilish (Hilsa fish in mustard sauce), and Mishti Doi (sweet yogurt). Include vegetarian options as well for your fasting guests.</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'>Host a cultural program</h3><p class='facts-text'>Cultural programs are integral to Durga Puja celebrations. Organize a small gathering at your house. Invite family and friends for an evening of music, dance, recitation, and storytelling to imbibe the festive atmosphere.</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'>Create a charity box</h3><p class='facts-text'>Durga Puja is also about giving and sharing. Make a charity box and encourage your friends and family to donate. After the Puja, give your collected donations to a charitable organization of your choice.</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'>Maha Saptami is a Celebration of Rich Cultural Heritage</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From grand rituals to cultural performances, Maha Saptami is a day that captures the diversity and richness of Indian cultural heritage. It's a chance for individuals to immerse themselves in the age-old traditions and shared histories that shape their identity.</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'>It Brings People Together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Maha Saptami is not just a festival, it's a community event that brings together people from different walks of life. Gatherings, feasts, and cultural programs provide an opportunity for communal bonding as well as creating everlasting memories.</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'>It's a Day of Spiritual Awakening</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Maha Saptami provides the opportunity to deepen one's spiritual connections through various rituals and practices like Pran Pratishtha. The collective energy and devotion felt on this day can have a profound effect on one’s spiritual journey.</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'>The Ritual of Kola Bou is Integral to Maha Saptami</h3><p class='facts-content'>Kola Bou, also known as the Banana Bride, is a unique ritual where a banana tree is bathed and wrapped in a sari, symbolically representing Goddess Durga's companion, Ganesha's wife.</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'>Maha Saptami Signifies the Defeat of Evil</h3><p class='facts-content'>The celebrations of Maha Saptami represent the triumph of good over evil as it commemorates Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.</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 Dhakis Play a Central Role in the Celebrations of Maha Saptami</h3><p class='facts-content'>Dhakis, the traditional drummers, are an integral part of Maha Saptami celebrations. The rhythmic beats of their dhaks, large leather-strung percussion instruments, set the festive atmosphere.</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 of Durga Puja Celebrates a Different Aspect of the Goddess</h3><p class='facts-content'>On Maha Saptami, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge as it is believed to be the day she began her battle against Mahishasura.</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'>Devotees Fast and Offer Prayers to Pay Homage to the Goddess</h3><p class='facts-content'>Large numbers of devotees observe a day-long fast on Maha Saptami, breaking it only after offering prayers to the Goddess Durga, in showing their devotion and respect.</p></div></div>
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