"Jago Tumi Jago"

"Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha."

Durga is depicted as a warrior woman riding a lion or a tiger with multiple hands carrying weapons and assuming mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. This form of the Goddess is the embodiment of feminine and creative energy (Shakti).

Durga Puja : Legends/Facts

• 1606 - first recorded puja in West Bengal. Celebrated by Bhabananda, the ancestor of Maharaja Krishnachandra of Nadia1610- the oldest Puja in the city of Calcutta was supposed to be arranged by the family of Sabarana Chaudhury of Barisha.

• 1761 - first Barowari puja in Guptipara, Hoogli.
  
• 1829 - Lord Bentinck was present in a Durga Puja in the house of Gopimohan Dev in north Calcutta. Inviting British rulers in Durga Puja started from the time of Raja Nabakrishna Dev. "Barowari" puja started in the city from 1860.
  
• In 1924 the name changed to "sarbojonin". Even today some organizers use the term "barowari".
  
• 1939 - Simla Bayam Samiti Puja. Subhaschandra Bose unveiled a 21-foot Durga. In the late 60's Durga images were flown overseas and Puja was celebrated. The worship of Durga (Bengali: দুর্গাপুজা, Durgapuja) in the autumn (Shôrot) is the year's largest Hindu festival in West Bengal, Orissa, Tripura, Assam, Jharkhand and other parts of East India as well as in Bangladesh. Durga Puja is also celebrated in Nepal and Bhutan according to local traditions and variations. Puja means "worship," and Durga's Puja is celebrated from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Ashshin, which is the sixth month in the Bengali calendar. Occasionally however, due to shifts in the lunar cycle relative to the solar months, it may also be held in the following month, Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, these dates correspond to the months of September/October.

In Kolkata alone more than ten thousand pandals are set up, all clamouring for the admiration and praise of the populace. The city is adorned with lights. People from all over the country visit the city at this time, and every night is one mad carnival where thousands of people go 'pandal-hopping' with their friends and family.

Durga Puja is one of the most important festivel of Bengalies. The festivel goes on for five days. People play dhak, dhunuchi and shiuli on that occasion. The occasion starts from Mahalaya day, the day durga was assigned the task of eliminating evil

Mahashashthi

On Mahashasthi Goddess Durga arrives with her children. People welcome her with beats of dhak. The main ritual on this day is unveiling the face of the idol.

Mahasaptami

First day of Durga Puja, pre-dawn bath of Kola Bow.

Mahaastami

Important part of the day is celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasur.Devotees offer anjali to the Goddess and recite the mantras.

Mahanabami

This is the last day of durga puja. Sandhi Puja is observed on that day. Nabami Bhog is offered the the goddess which is later distributed among the devotees.

Mahadashami

On the day of Dashami Goddess Durga along with her children sets for kailash. The idols are carried in processions and finally with a heavy heart is immersed in a nearby river.