Durga puja pandal, traditional, worship, Hindu, Hinduism, Bengal culture, extravagant, earthen, colorful, travel
These shots represents the biggest festival for Bengalis all over world- Durga Puja, Worshiping of Goddess Durga. Though it's a Hindu festival, in the State of West Bengal, India, almost everybody takes part in the festivities, irrespective of their cast, creed or religion. Lately it has become more of a social festival. It's also the beginning of winter season, so weather generally remains pleasant. The idols represent Goddess Durga symbolizing power of women, vanquishing Asura, the evil. Decorative pandals (temporary bamboo temples) are erected all over the state. It is celebrated with most fanfare in the city of Calcutta aka Kolkata. People come from all over city and neighboring areas to visit these pandals and appreciate the art works. This festival is of 5 days duration. On the last day, known as "Bijoya Dashami", the idol is immersed in the rivers or water bodies. This is the "Sent Off" ceremony of goddess Durga and her family, after 5 days of puja (worship). This is generally carried out by Hindu married women by offering the goddess sweets, beetle leaf and vermilion. This way the women also celebrate their "married" status. This day is celebrated as "Bijoya Dashami", it is the 10th day from the new moon of lunar calender. After this ceremony the idols are immersed in nearby rivers with great fanfare.
Size: 2848px × 3666px
Location: Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Asia
Photo credit: © srijanrc travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: asia, bengal, calcutta, celebrate, celebration, ceremony, color, colour, crowd, culture, decoration, devotion, durga, ethnic, female, festival, flowers, god, goddess, group, hands, hindu, hinduism, holiday, holy, idol, india, kolkata, pandal, prayer, puja, red, religion, religious, ritual, sacred, sail, sculpture, spiritual, structure, temple, temporary, traditional, travel, visitors, west, worship
