As the festive season approaches, the spirit of Durga Puja begins to fill the air. One of the most vibrant and cherished festivals, it celebrates culture, tradition and victory of good over evil. The ten-day festival (the last five days are the most important) honours Goddess Durga, who is believed to symbolise power, protection and motherhood.
From artistic pandals to cultural events to delicious feasts, the festival showcases the best of Indian culture. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country but is particularly special in the eastern states of West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
In this blog, we’ll explore the rich history, significance, and celebrations of Durga Puja, along with some financial tips to help you manage your finances and enjoy the festivities to the fullest.
Durga Puja Festival
Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. It is a time to honour the goddess, seek her blessings, and celebrate the spirit of humanity.
The festival is celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm, mainly in eastern states such as West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, and some parts of Maharashtra and Delhi. However, recently, it has become a global event and is celebrated by Bengali communities in cities like London, New York, and Toronto.
While the exact origins of Durga Puja are unclear, it is believed that some of the royal and wealthy families used to celebrate the festival in the early 16th century. Over the years, the public has started celebrating with majestic and artistic pandals, stunning idols, and cultural events.
Important Dates with Rituals
In 2024, the Durga Puja celebrations start on October 9th and end on October 13th. However, on October 2nd, the Mahalaya event is celebrated, during which Goddess Durga is invited to earth, and her eyes are drawn on the idol.
- Shasthi – 9th October – Goddess Durga descends on Earth, and her beautiful idols are unveiled.
- Saptami – 10th October – The Pran Pratishthan ceremony is performed, and the Kola Bou ritual takes place.
- Ashtami – 11th October – Kumari and Sandhi Puja to honour the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura.
- Navami – 12th October – Maha Aarati to mark as the festival’s final day.
- Dashami – 13th October – Goddess Durga visarjan with sindoor utsava.
Significance of Durga Puja Festival
Primarily, the festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. It has several other important symbolic meanings:
- Symbolises the power of women as the goddess is a powerful deity who won over the demon Mahishasura.
- The festival brings together people from all the communities to create unity and togetherness.
- Celebration of togetherness and symbolises the importance of family.
How Is Durga Puja Celebrated?
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is a perfect blend of spirituality and cultural activities. Here are the main rituals and traditions that make it a grand event:
- Pandal Hopping: With unique themes, the majestic pandals with beautiful idols of Goddess Durga are created across the cities. People visit multiple pandals with family and friends and get blessings.
- Cultural Programs: Many artists showcase their talents and perform traditional dance, music, drama, and other cultural shows. Live events and competitions take place every evening.
- Bhog: Devotees and visitors enjoy Bengali delicacies, especially Bhog (offering to the goddess).
- Visarjan: The end of the festival seas on Vijayadashami, when the idol of the goddess is immersed in the rivers, marking her return to her divine abode.
Stashfin: Your Financial Partner for Durga Puja
With festivals like Durga Puja approaching, we understand the increase in expenses, including clothing and gifts, home decorations, and attending community events. We at Stashfin aim to relieve financial stress and allow you to enjoy the festivities to the fullest by helping you get an instant personal loan online conveniently with minimal to no paperwork. Here’s why you should consider applying for a loan from Stashfin:
- Quick and easy application process with minimal to no paperwork, making it hassle-free for borrowers.
- Users get to have transparent terms and conditions, ensuring no hidden charges.
- Provides flexible repayment options to make it easy for borrowers to choose as per their financial conditions.
- Considered one of the top loan apps, it offers a user-friendly interface that makes navigating and applying for loans easy.
Tips For Planning Festive Finances
If you want to be a part of the celebration truly without worrying about the finances, read the following tips:
- Make an estimated budget before the festival begins and include all expenses, such as travel, gifts, home renovation, clothes, etc.
- Since brands offer festive discounts and rewards, take advantage of them and save some money.
- If you have a shortage of funds and a major expense is pending, apply for a personal loan from a reliable platform like Stashfin.
- Track your spending to stay within the budget and avoid overspending.
Conclusion
Durga Puja is a festival that celebrates the power of womanhood and motherhood. It’s a time to come together with communities, family, and friends and seek blessings from the goddess. With the celebration, managing finances is also important to avoid stress. At Stashfin, you can quickly apply personal loan to cover expenses.
This Durga Puja, make memories that last a lifetime and enjoy the festivities to the fullest.