Accra:Durga Puja, the most significant religious festival for the Bangalee Hindu community, is set to begin formally in Bangladesh with the Maha Shashthi Puja on October 16. This festival, which has evolved over centuries, celebrates Bengali culture, identity, and community through a combination of religious rituals and social festivities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Durga Puja's history is intertwined with the social and cultural evolution of Bengal. It originated from Hindu religious rituals and became a key cultural event, partly due to the influence of wealthy landowning families and community-organised pujas. The festival is deeply rooted in the Bengali imagination, where Goddess Durga is seen not only as a powerful deity but also as a daughter returning to her parental home with her children.
In 2021, UNESCO recognized "Durga Puja in Kolkata" as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition highlighted the festival's unique blend of religion, art, public participation, and community collaboration, marking it as the first festival in Asia to receive such a distinction.
Durga Puja's religious roots are based on the Hindu story of Durga defeating Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. In Bengal, this narrative is given a familial twist, as Durga is also seen as Uma, a daughter returning home, accompanied by her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesh.
Historically, the festival's grandeur was established by zamindars and royal families in the 16th and 17th centuries. Figures such as Raja Kangsa Narayan of Taherpur and the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family played significant roles in its early celebrations. Over time, it transformed from an elite event into a public festival, with the rise of barowari puja allowing communities to organize and participate collectively.
Today, Durga Puja is a symbol of Bengali identity, bringing together language, literature, music, and food. Traditions such as Mahalaya, the rhythms of the dhak, and the creation of pandals and pratimas contribute to its distinct character. The festival serves as both a religious observance and a cultural celebration, deeply resonating with Bengalis worldwide as a time of homecoming, creativity, and community bonding.