Pratibimb - Abhijit's photographic reflections - Aamader Dugga Pujo

Durga Puja is celebrated with joy all over India, especially West Bengal, in worship of Goddess Durga. Singing, dancing, sweets & gaiety are an integral part of the Durga Puja Festival. People send Durga Puja Gifts to dear ones and express good wishes.

Tradition: Today's most authentic form of the Durga is that of a ten handed goddess modeled out of clay astride a lion. Each of those hands carry a separate weapon in them except two, which holds the spear which has been struck into the chest of the demon, Mahishasura. The four children of the Goddess had also been added to the iconography - Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, Kartik, the God of beauty as well as warfare and Ganesha, the 'Siddhidata' or the starter of everything in good sense.

Mythology: According to Hindu mythology a demon named Mahishasura, earned the favor of Lord Shiva after a long and hard penance. Lord Shiva, impressed with his devotion, blessed him that no man or deity would be able to kill him and that only a woman can kill him. Mahishasur was very pleased with this boon as he thought that a woman can never defeat him. Arrogant Mahishasura started his reign of terror over the Universe and people were killed mercilessly. He even attacked the abode of the gods and conquered the heavens and became their leader.

(The above-written text has been taken from http://www.durga-puja.org)

This shot was captured during DurgaMaa's aarti, at the Mumbai Sarbojonin Durgotsob Committee pandal at Shivaji Park. During the aarti, incense sticks or their Indian version "dhoop" was burnt to create rich fragrance and smoke which purified the environment.

Durga Puja 2007.