Durga Puja 2022: Date, Time, Significance, And Celebrations

Durga Puja 2022: Durga Puja is just around the corner. These five days of festivities are a significant part of every Bengali in any part of the world. This year Durga puja celebrations would kick-start on 30th September 2022 (Panchami) and would go on till 5th October 2022 (Vijay Dashami).

Durga Puja 2022 is just around the corner. These five days of festivities are a significant part of every Bengali in any part of the world. This is why beyond Bengal too, one can see several Bengali settlements celebrating puja with equal enthusiasm and fervour even in the most remote corners of the country. 

This year Durga puja celebrations would kick-start on 30th September 2022 (Panchami) and would go on till 5th October 2022 (Vijay Dashami). Durga Puja, as the name suggests, is celebrated in honour of Goddess Durga.

According to legends, when all the male Gods were unable to defeat the buffalo demon Mahishasura, they entrusted Goddess Durga with the task of putting an end to his evil doings on earth. In a gory battle that ran for several days, Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura and earned the name Mahishasura Mardini. Navami falls on 18th October this year.

Durga Puja 2022: When Is Durga Puja? 
 

Durga Puja Ashtami Anjali Time

Maha Ashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is the second day of the Durga Puja. Maha Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Durga Puja on Maha Ashtami begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja which is very much similar to Maha Saptami Puja except Prana Pratishtha which is done only once on Maha Saptami.

Durga Puja 2022 Ashtami Puja Time: The Ashtami Puja time in Ashtami Titi stays all day so you can perform Ashtami Kanya Puja until noon, but the most auspicious time is between 7:37 am and 9:12 am. Then you can do Ashtami Kanya Puja again from 10:47am to 12:45 pm.

Durga Puja 2022: Significance Of Durga Puja

The epic battle of Durga and Mahishasura is symbolic of the ultimate victory of good over evil. The demon king Mahishasura, performed severe austerities and prayers for years to seek Lord Brahma’s boon of immortality.

Pleased by his devotion, Lord Brahma appeared in front of him and gave him a saying that his death would happen only at the hands of a woman. Hearing the Mahishasura, began thinking he is invincible and immortal. He started killing people and disrupted sages in their meditation. It was then that the role of defeating Mahishasura was assumed by Goddess Durga and the incarnation of Goddess Shakti.

In her 10 arms, Gods vested their most precious arms. The battle ran for several days until Goddess Durga swerved Mahishasura’s head with her tri school (three-headed spear).

Durga Puja is just around the corner. These five days of festivities are a significant part of every Bengali in any part of the world. This is why beyond Bengal too, one can see several Bengali settlements celebrating puja with equal enthusiasm and fervour even in the most remote corners of the country. 

This year Durga puja celebrations would kick-start on 30th September 2022 (Panchami) and would go on till 5th October 2022 (Vijay Dashami). Durga Puja, as the name suggests, is celebrated in honour of Goddess Durga.

According to legends, when all the male Gods were unable to defeat the buffalo demon Mahishasura, they entrusted Goddess Durga with the task of putting an end to his evil doings on earth. In a gory battle that ran for several days, Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura and earned the name Mahishasura Mardini. Navami falls on Tuesday, 4th October this year.

Mention Durga Puja and any Bengali would be able to tell you how it is not any festival around the corner, it is nothing short of a carnival. The preparations for Durga Puja begin months in advance. Skilled artisans and craftsmen start making beautiful clay idols of Goddess Durga, Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikey.

Then, through donations collected from the neighbourhood, artful pandals are set up where they install the idols. These days, there are special awards for best-decorated pandals too. Weeks before the puja, people buy themselves new clothes and jewellery and wear them on puja days.

Cultural festivals, music, recitations, and several interesting competitions keep the vibe of the pandal ever-so lively. However, our favourite bit about the festival has to be the countless variety of food that you get to gorge on these particular days. From rolls, cutlets, biryanis, burgers, chaat, and pizza to desserts; Durga puja pandals are a foodie’s dream come true. 

One unique aspect of Durga Puja is the fact that it is not a household affair but a well-organized community gathering. The tradition dates back to the 17th-18th century A.D when several zamindars and aristocrats would hold lavish pujas bringing together the entire locality under one roof.

For instance, the Aatchala Puja in Kolkata, which was started by renowned zamindar Lakshmikanta Majumder in the year 1610, and the Shobha Bazar Choto Rajbari at 33 Raja Nabakrishna Road in Kolkata, which was initiated in the year 1757.

A puja pandal became a place where all social and class barriers were broken and everybody revelled in the celebrations together. To date, the special khichdi and vegetable bhog that is served during lunchtime is prepared for around 800-1000 people in an average-sized puja pandal.

Here’s wishing you all a very Happy Durga Puja 2022!
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