Durga Puja preparations enter last lap in Delhi’s CR Park

For Bengalis, Durga Puja is as much a social and cultural celebration of adda and fun with family and friends, as it is of religious significance (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

The iconic ten arms of Goddess Durga with a different weapon in each, symbolise her role as the protective mother of her devotees from all directions of heaven and earth (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

Like all prominent Hindu gods and goddesses, Durga has a loyal animal by her side, usually depicted by a fierce lion or tiger (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

Other than Goddess Durga, deities of Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Karthik are also worshipped (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

Trained artisans come specially from Bengal to add their unique, creative touches to the idols (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

Goddess Durga is legendary for combating evil and demonic forces that threaten peace and prosperity (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

Craftsmen paint the idols, which are made of clay from the riverbed of Ganges (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

Durga Puja festivities became more prominent during the British Raj in Bengal and the goddess also became an icon for the Indian independence movement (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

Artisans say the most crucial step of painting a Durga idol is her iconic eyes with a straight gaze, which is called chakshudan and done on Mahalaya (MIG photos/Aman Kanojiya)

With Durga Puja just around the corner, talented artisans are busy putting their final touches on idols of gods and goddesses to be delivered to magnificent pandals, temples and homes of worshippers. The biggest Bengali festival of the year, Durga Puja celebrates the victory of Hindu goddess Durga in her battle against the shape-shifting asura buffalo demon, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

The most important part of the festival will start on October 11 this year and will last five days – Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami, which marks the end of Durga Puja and usually includes processions to a river or ocean front with devotees carrying clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya and immersing the images in the water as a sign of farewell. The end of Durga Puja also coincides with Dussehra, when towering effigies of Ravana are burned to mark the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and which eventually lead the way for Diwali preparations.

Although predominantly celebrated in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and Bihar, the Puja is also popular among the small community of Bengalis who stay in New Delhi’s upscale Chittaranjan Park and celebrate the festivals with much pomp and grandeur. Although attendees will be disappointed once again this year with the Covid-19 related restrictions, which prohibit large gatherings and setting up of stalls selling various Bengali delicacies such as the famous Pujo rolls, fish fry and mutton biryani. The restrictions also prohibit people from participating in the prayer sessions held throughout the day and normally attended by thousands of people throughout the day. The local government has allowed only select members of the organising team to be present during the prayers. Despite this, visitors hope to be able to get together with their loved ones to enjoy the festivities and creative pandals.

(Photos: Aman Kanojiya; Text: Susanti Sarkar)

Aman Kanojiya

I'm a graduate in arts, I am a photography and videography enthusiast. I also have a good grasp on photojournalism, Videography & editing. I am a Multimedia Journalist at Media India Group, I also some working web, I design web pages and takes care of web maintenance. At MIG, I improve my skills I also learning various software including Adobe After Effects. and also Student of Photography Promotion Trust.