78.144.45.0: further cleaned up article per standard format and updated info

2026-05-06T19:40:47Z

further cleaned up article per standard format and updated info

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:10, 7 May 2026
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	{{Saktism}}		{{Saktism}}

	'''Durga Puja''' (<!--Do not add Indic scripts per WP:INDICSCRIPT-->[[ISO 15919\|ISO]]: {{transliteration\|sa\|ISO\|Durgā Pūjā~~}}, {{IPA\|as\|duɹɡäpuzä\|audio=Durgapuja.wav~~}}, {{IPA\|bn\|d̪uɾɡapud͡ʒa\|audio=LL-Q9610 (ben)-Titodutta-দুর্গাপূজা.wav}}), also known as '''Durgotsava''' or '''Sharadotsava''', is a major [[Hindus\|Hindu]] festival honouring the goddess [[Durga]] and commemorating her victory over [[Mahishasura]].{{sfn\| Lochtefeld\|2002\|p=208}}{{sfn\|Bradley\|2012\|p=214}} In 2021, 'Durga Puja in [[Kolkata]]' was inscribed on [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists\|UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]].<ref>{{Cite news \|title=Durga Puja inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity \|url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/durga-puja-inscribed-unesco-representative-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-humanity#:~:text=Today,%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Committee%20for,to%2018%20December%20this%20year. \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019182512/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/durga-puja-inscribed-unesco-representative-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-humanity#:~:text=Today,%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Committee%20for,to%2018%20December%20this%20year. \|archive-date=19 October 2022 \|access-date=15 December 2024 \|language=en \|url-status=live}}</ref>		'''Durga Puja''' (<!--Do not add Indic scripts per WP:INDICSCRIPT-->[[ISO 15919\|ISO]]: {{transliteration\|sa\|ISO\|Durgā Pūjā}}, {{IPA\|bn\|d̪uɾɡapud͡ʒa\|audio=LL-Q9610 (ben)-Titodutta-দুর্গাপূজা.wav}}), also known as '''Durgotsava''' or '''Sharadotsava''', is a major [[Hindus\|Hindu]] festival honouring the goddess [[Durga]] and commemorating her victory over [[Mahishasura]]. It is the biggest festival among [[Bengalis\|Bengali]] people living in India, and is also celebrated by the [[Hinduism in Bangladesh\|Hindus in Bangladesh]] and the [[Maithils\|Maithili]] community of [[Bihar]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Durga Puja \|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Durga-Puja \|website=Encyclopaedia Britannica \|access-date=22 April 2026}}</ref>
			{{sfn\| Lochtefeld\|2002\|p=208}}{{sfn\|Bradley\|2012\|p=214}} In 2021, 'Durga Puja in [[Kolkata]]' was inscribed on [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists\|UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]].<ref>{{Cite news \|title=Durga Puja inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity \|url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/durga-puja-inscribed-unesco-representative-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-humanity#:~:text=Today,%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Committee%20for,to%2018%20December%20this%20year. \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019182512/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/durga-puja-inscribed-unesco-representative-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-humanity#:~:text=Today,%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Committee%20for,to%2018%20December%20this%20year. \|archive-date=19 October 2022 \|access-date=15 December 2024 \|language=en \|url-status=live}}</ref>

	The festival is observed in the Indian calendar in the month of [[Ashwin\|Ashvin]] (September–October) on the Hindu luni-solar calendar.{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|pp=106–108}}{{sfn\|Encyclopedia Britannica \|2015}} It lasts ten days, with the final five being most prominent.<ref>{{cite news \|author=Parmita Borah \|date=2 October 2011 \|title=Durga Puja – a Celebration of Female Supremacy \|url=http://www.efi-news.com/2011/10/durga-puja-celebration-of-female.html \|publisher=EF News International \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051716/http://www.efi-news.com/2011/10/durga-puja-celebration-of-female.html \|archive-date=25 April 2012 \|url-status=usurped \|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref>{{sfn\|Encyclopedia Britannica \|2015}} Even though Durga Puja and [[Navaratri]] are both dedicated to the [[Mahadevi\|Hindu goddess Durga]] and are observed simultaneously, they are not the same festival.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=7 October 2024 \|title=Navratri And Durga Puja: Understanding The Differences Between The Two Festivals \|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/navratri-and-durga-puja-understanding-the-differences-between-the-two-festivals-article-114014015 \|access-date=15 December 2024 \|website=Times Now \|language=en}}</ref>		The festival is observed in the Indian calendar in the month of [[Ashwin\|Ashvin]] (September–October) on the Hindu luni-solar calendar.{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|pp=106–108}}{{sfn\|Encyclopedia Britannica \|2015}} It lasts ten days, with the final five being most prominent.<ref>{{cite news \|author=Parmita Borah \|date=2 October 2011 \|title=Durga Puja – a Celebration of Female Supremacy \|url=http://www.efi-news.com/2011/10/durga-puja-celebration-of-female.html \|publisher=EF News International \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051716/http://www.efi-news.com/2011/10/durga-puja-celebration-of-female.html \|archive-date=25 April 2012 \|url-status=usurped \|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref>{{sfn\|Encyclopedia Britannica \|2015}} Even though Durga Puja and [[Navaratri]] are both dedicated to the [[Mahadevi\|Hindu goddess Durga]] and are observed simultaneously, they are not the same festival.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=7 October 2024 \|title=Navratri And Durga Puja: Understanding The Differences Between The Two Festivals \|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/navratri-and-durga-puja-understanding-the-differences-between-the-two-festivals-article-114014015 \|access-date=15 December 2024 \|website=Times Now \|language=en}}</ref>
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	=== Relation to harvest ===		=== Relation to harvest ===
	{{Quote box\|width=30%\|quote='''Durga Puja as a harvest festival'''<poem>[[Om]] you are rice [wheat...], Om you are life, you are the life of the gods, you are our life, your are our internal life, you are long life, you give life, Om the Sun with his rays (....)</poem>\|source=~~ —~~ Hymn to start the Durga Puja,<br />Translator: David Kinsley{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|pp=111-112}}\|bgcolor=#FFE0BB\|align=left}}Durga Puja is, in part, a post-monsoon harvest festival observed on the same days in the [[Shaktism]] tradition of Hinduism as those in its other traditions.{{sfn\|Amazzone\|2012\|pp=55-59}}{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|p=111, Quote: "Durga Puja is celebrated from the first through the ninth days of the bright half of the lunar month of Asvin, which coincides with the autumn harvest in North India, and in certain respects it is clear that Durga Puja is a harvest festival in which Durga is propitiated as the power of plant fertility".}} The practice of including a bundle of nine different plants, called ''navapatrika'',<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Rodrigues \|first=Hillary \|year=2018 \|title=Durga \|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/brill-s-encyclopedia-of-hinduism/*-COM_1030180 \|journal=Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online}}</ref>{{Efn-ua\|These nine plants specifically are: kadali (plantain), mana (broad-leaved plant), kacvi (black-stemmed plant), haridra (turmeric), jayanti (barley), sriphala (wood-apple branch with two fruit), dadimah (pomegranate), asoka (red-flowering shade tree), dhanya (rice paddy) \|text=group}} as a symbolism of Durga, is a testament practice to its agricultural importance.{{sfn\| Kinsley\|1988\|pp=111-112}} Many people think Nabapatrika is just a banana tree wrapped like a bride, often called '''“[[Kola Bou\|Kolabou]]”'''. In reality, it is a sacred combination of '''nine plants''', each representing a form of divine energy and cosmic force.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Sengupta \|first=Minakshi \|date=September 27, 2025 \|title=Nabapatrika: The Sacred Symbol of Nature in Durga Puja \|url=https://www.storywire.co.in/2025/09/Nabapatrika-The-Sacred-Symbol-of-Nature-in-Durga-Puja.html \|website=Storywire}}</ref> The typically selected plants include not only representative important crops, but also non-crops. This probably signifies the Hindu belief that the goddess is "not merely the power inherent in the growth of crops but the power inherent in all vegetation".{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|pp=111-112}}		{{Quote box\|width=30%\|quote='''Durga Puja as a harvest festival'''<poem>[[Om]] you are rice [wheat...], Om you are life, you are the life of the gods, you are our life, your are our internal life, you are long life, you give life, Om the Sun with his rays (....)</poem>\|source= Hymn to start the Durga Puja,<br />Translator: David Kinsley{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|pp=111-112}}\|bgcolor=#FFE0BB\|align=left}}Durga Puja is, in part, a post-monsoon harvest festival observed on the same days in the [[Shaktism]] tradition of Hinduism as those in its other traditions.{{sfn\|Amazzone\|2012\|pp=55-59}}{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|p=111, Quote: "Durga Puja is celebrated from the first through the ninth days of the bright half of the lunar month of Asvin, which coincides with the autumn harvest in North India, and in certain respects it is clear that Durga Puja is a harvest festival in which Durga is propitiated as the power of plant fertility".}} The practice of including a bundle of nine different plants, called ''navapatrika'',<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Rodrigues \|first=Hillary \|year=2018 \|title=Durga \|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/brill-s-encyclopedia-of-hinduism/*-COM_1030180 \|journal=Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online}}</ref>{{Efn-ua\|These nine plants specifically are: kadali (plantain), mana (broad-leaved plant), kacvi (black-stemmed plant), haridra (turmeric), jayanti (barley), sriphala (wood-apple branch with two fruit), dadimah (pomegranate), asoka (red-flowering shade tree), dhanya (rice paddy) \|text=group}} as a symbolism of Durga, is a testament practice to its agricultural importance.{{sfn\| Kinsley\|1988\|pp=111-112}} Many people think Nabapatrika is just a banana tree wrapped like a bride, often called '''“[[Kola Bou\|Kolabou]]”'''. In reality, it is a sacred combination of '''nine plants''', each representing a form of divine energy and cosmic force.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Sengupta \|first=Minakshi \|date=September 27, 2025 \|title=Nabapatrika: The Sacred Symbol of Nature in Durga Puja \|url=https://www.storywire.co.in/2025/09/Nabapatrika-The-Sacred-Symbol-of-Nature-in-Durga-Puja.html \|website=Storywire}}</ref> The typically selected plants include not only representative important crops, but also non-crops. This probably signifies the Hindu belief that the goddess is "not merely the power inherent in the growth of crops but the power inherent in all vegetation".{{sfn\|Kinsley\|1988\|pp=111-112}}

	The festival is a social and public event in the eastern and northeastern states of India, where it dominates religious and socio-cultural life, with temporary ''pandal''s built at community squares, roadside shrines, and temples. The festival is also observed by some Shakta Hindus as a private home-based festival.{{sfn\|McLean\|1998\|p=137}}		The festival is a social and public event in the eastern and northeastern states of India, where it dominates religious and socio-cultural life, with temporary ''pandal''s built at community squares, roadside shrines, and temples. The festival is also observed by some Shakta Hindus as a private home-based festival.{{sfn\|McLean\|1998\|p=137}}
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	[[File:Chaudhury Bazar Chandi Medha.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|Sculpture-idols in Cuttack, Odisha for Durga Puja, bedecked with jewellery.]]		[[File:Chaudhury Bazar Chandi Medha.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|Sculpture-idols in Cuttack, Odisha for Durga Puja, bedecked with jewellery.]]

	In Odisha, Durga Puja is ~~one of the most important festivals of the people of the state~~. ~~During the 4 days of the festival, the streets of the city turns into a wonderland throughout the state, people~~ welcome the arrival of their maa by ~~rejoicing themselves,~~ [[Cuisine of Odisha\|eating ~~tasty~~ food]], wearing new clothes, ~~seeing different~~ pandals across the city, family gathering and gift givings. In 2019, ninety-seven pandals in [[Cuttack]] alone, Odisha were reported to bedeck respective sculpture-idols with silver jewellery for Durga Puja celebrations; such club of pandals termed regionally as ''Chandi Medha''. The state capital is famous for the modern themes and creativity In the pandals, while the Western part of the state has a more retro decoration theme to the pandal. In the northern parts of the state particularly [[Balasore]], Durga Puja is celebrated with much fervor and the Odia diaspora abroad especially in [[Australia]], which originates 95% from the [[Balasore district\|district of Balasore]] celebrates the puja in the same manner which is done back home in Balasore.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/13/three-more-chandi-medha-to-adorn-silver-citys-durga-puja-celebration-2032898.html \|title=Three more 'Chandi Medha' to adorn Silver City's Durga Puja celebration \|date=13 September 2019 \|work=The New Indian Express \|access-date=18 September 2019 \|archive-date=20 September 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920160509/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/13/three-more-chandi-medha-to-adorn-silver-citys-durga-puja-celebration-2032898.html \|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, 160 ''pandals'' were reported to be hosting Durga Puja in Cuttack.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/11/bad-roads-dampen-spirit-of-cuttacks-millennium-city-durga-puja-organisers-2032008.html \|title=Bad roads dampen spirit of Cuttack's Millennium City Durga Puja organisers \|date=11 September 2019 \|work=The New Indian Express \|access-date=18 September 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913212242/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/11/bad-roads-dampen-spirit-of-cuttacks-millennium-city-durga-puja-organisers-2032008.html \|archive-date=13 September 2019 \|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|url=https://odishatv.in/odisha-news/odisha-decks-up-for-navratri-preparations-for-durga-puja-reach-final-stages-486110 \|title=Odisha Decks Up For Navratri; Preparations For Durga Puja Reach Final Stages \|date=20 October 2020 \|publisher=OdishaTV \|access-date=20 October 2020 \|archive-date=1 November 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101104852/https://odishatv.in/odisha-news/odisha-decks-up-for-navratri-preparations-for-durga-puja-reach-final-stages-486110 \|url-status=live}}</ref>		In Odisha, Durga Puja is celebrated over four days. People welcome the arrival of their maa by [[Cuisine of Odisha\|eating food]], wearing new clothes, viewing pandals across the city, family gathering and gift givings. In 2019, ninety-seven pandals in [[Cuttack]] alone, Odisha were reported to bedeck respective sculpture-idols with silver jewellery for Durga Puja celebrations; such club of pandals termed regionally as ''Chandi Medha''. The state capital is famous for the modern themes and creativity In the pandals, while the Western part of the state has a more retro decoration theme to the pandal. In the northern parts of the state particularly [[Balasore]], Durga Puja is celebrated with much fervor and the Odia diaspora abroad especially in [[Australia]], which originates 95% from the [[Balasore district\|district of Balasore]] celebrates the puja in the same manner which is done back home in Balasore.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/13/three-more-chandi-medha-to-adorn-silver-citys-durga-puja-celebration-2032898.html \|title=Three more 'Chandi Medha' to adorn Silver City's Durga Puja celebration \|date=13 September 2019 \|work=The New Indian Express \|access-date=18 September 2019 \|archive-date=20 September 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920160509/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/13/three-more-chandi-medha-to-adorn-silver-citys-durga-puja-celebration-2032898.html \|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, 160 ''pandals'' were reported to be hosting Durga Puja in Cuttack.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/11/bad-roads-dampen-spirit-of-cuttacks-millennium-city-durga-puja-organisers-2032008.html \|title=Bad roads dampen spirit of Cuttack's Millennium City Durga Puja organisers \|date=11 September 2019 \|work=The New Indian Express \|access-date=18 September 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913212242/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/sep/11/bad-roads-dampen-spirit-of-cuttacks-millennium-city-durga-puja-organisers-2032008.html \|archive-date=13 September 2019 \|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|url=https://odishatv.in/odisha-news/odisha-decks-up-for-navratri-preparations-for-durga-puja-reach-final-stages-486110 \|title=Odisha Decks Up For Navratri; Preparations For Durga Puja Reach Final Stages \|date=20 October 2020 \|publisher=OdishaTV \|access-date=20 October 2020 \|archive-date=1 November 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101104852/https://odishatv.in/odisha-news/odisha-decks-up-for-navratri-preparations-for-durga-puja-reach-final-stages-486110 \|url-status=live}}</ref>

	While in Tripura there were over 2,500 community Durga Puja celebrations in 2013. Durga Puja has been started at the Durgabari temple, in [[Agartala]] by King Radha Kishore Manikya Bahadur.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Durga Puja begins in Tripura with traditional guard of honour to Goddess \|url=http://post.jagran.com/durga-puja-begins-in-tripura-with-traditional-guard-of-honour-to-goddess-1381483075 \|work=Jagran Post \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118213128/http://post.jagran.com/durga-puja-begins-in-tripura-with-traditional-guard-of-honour-to-goddess-1381483075 \|archive-date=18 November 2018 \|access-date=27 September 2017}}</ref>		While in Tripura there were over 2,500 community Durga Puja celebrations in 2013. Durga Puja has been started at the Durgabari temple, in [[Agartala]] by King Radha Kishore Manikya Bahadur.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Durga Puja begins in Tripura with traditional guard of honour to Goddess \|url=http://post.jagran.com/durga-puja-begins-in-tripura-with-traditional-guard-of-honour-to-goddess-1381483075 \|work=Jagran Post \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118213128/http://post.jagran.com/durga-puja-begins-in-tripura-with-traditional-guard-of-honour-to-goddess-1381483075 \|archive-date=18 November 2018 \|access-date=27 September 2017}}</ref>
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	=== Africa ===		=== Africa ===
	In South Africa, Durga Puja has been revived with celebrations in Johannesburg.<ref>{{Cite news \|date=25 October 2023 \|title=Bengali Association revives tradition of public celebration of Durga Puja in South Africa \|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/bengali-association-revives-tradition-of-public-celebration-of-durga-puja-in-south-africa/cid/1975207 \|access-date=31 October 2024 \|work=The Telegraph}}</ref> In Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa Durga Puja is organised by the Addis Ababa Durga Pooja Committee		In [[South Africa]], Durga Puja has been revived with celebrations in [[Johannesburg]].<ref>{{Cite news \|date=25 October 2023 \|title=Bengali Association revives tradition of public celebration of Durga Puja in South Africa \|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/bengali-association-revives-tradition-of-public-celebration-of-durga-puja-in-south-africa/cid/1975207 \|access-date=31 October 2024 \|work=The Telegraph}}</ref> In [[Ethiopia]], in [[Addis Ababa]] Durga Puja is organised by the Addis Ababa Durga Pooja Committee. Durga Puja celebrations are also held in [[Tema]], [[Ghana]], which is organised by the Bengalis in Ghana.

	=== Australia ===		=== Australia ===

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Durga Puja - Revision history

78.144.45.0: further cleaned up article per standard format and updated info

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