Photos of Durga Pujo 2007 Bangalore

ULSOOR BENGALI ASSOCIATION :
Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiDcxp5p6R8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayzr4d1-tQ4

R.T.NAGAR BIHARI ASSOCIATION :
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdhXv72mdLM

Worshiping Maa Durga

DURGA PUJA
THE WORSHIP OF MA DURGA …

Here I describe the meaning behind this religious celebration (mainly for the benefit of the non-Indian born Bengali’s) …

We worship Durga as the mother goddess, the epitome of 'Shakti' (divine power), to deliver us from the evil and bring peace and prosperity in our lives. But the most interesting part of Durga Puja is that, instead of placing Durga on a high alter and worshipping her from a distance the Bengalis embrace her in their hearts and make her an inseparable member of the family. We welcome Durga to the earth as our daughter who comes at her parents' home for her annual visits.

Durga stays for four days - Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami and Nabami along with her children, Ganesha, Laxmi, Kartik and Saraswati and sets for her husband's abode on Vijaya Dashami.

Durga's mode of journey to the earth is detailed in the scriptures. The modes - an elephant, a horse, palanquin, boat - all signify luck or omen which influence life on earth. The elephant signifies prosperity and good harvest, while journeying on a horse back indicates drought, a palanquin spells widespread epidemic; and the boat suggests flood and misery.

According to the Puranas, King Suratha, used to worship the goddess Durga in spring - thus Durga Puja was also known as Basanti Puja.

The worship of Devi Durga however owes its origin to Sree Rama. In the 'Ramayana', as it goes, Rama went to 'Lanka' to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana, the king of the Demons in Lanka. Before starting for his battle with Ravana, Rama wanted the blessings of Devi Durga. He came to know that the Goddess would be pleased only if she is worshipped with one hundred 'NeelKamal' or blue lotuses. Rama, after travelling the whole world, could gather only ninety nine of them. He finally decided to offer one of his eyes, which resembled blue lotuses. Durga, being pleased with the devotion of Rama, appeared before him and blessed him.

The epical battle started on the 'Saptami' and Ravana was finally killed on the 'Sandhikshan' - the crossover period between Ashtami (the next day) and Navami (the day after). Ravana was cremated on Dashami. This is why Dashera is celebrated in India with so much of fanfare and the effigy of Raavana is burnt.

In the course of time Bengalis adopted the autumnal worship of Durga performed by Rama and made it their main festival and that is why it is known as 'Akal Bodhon' or untimely worship. The Pujas span over the four days, the time taken by Rama to finally kill and cremate Ravana.

Durga Puja Days

MAHALAYA
The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Puja’s, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra fill up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of "devipaksha" and the beginning of the count-down of Durga Puja. Sarat in its bloom, mingled with the festive spirit of Durga Puja reaches its pitch on the day of Mahalaya.

From this day starts 'Devipaksha' and marks the end of 'Pitri-paksha'. It is the day when many throng to the banks of river Ganga, clad in dhotis to offer prayers to their dead relatives and forefathers. People in the pre-dawn hours pray for their demised relatives and take holy dips in the Ganges. This ritual is known as 'Torpon'. This day bears immense significance for the Bengalis. It is according to the myths that Sree Rama hastily performed Durga Puja just before he set for Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana.

According to the Puranas, King Suratha, used to worship the goddess Durga in spring. Thus Durga Puja was also known as Basanti Puja. But Rama proponed the Puja and worshiped Durga in autumn and that is why it is known as 'Akal Bodhon' or untimely worship. It was considered untimely as it is in the myths that the puja was performed when the Gods and Goddesses were awake i.e. "Uttarayan" and was not held when the Gods and Goddesses rested i.e. "Dakshinayan". It was on the day of Mahalaya, the beginning of "devipoksha", the Gods and Goddesses woke up to prepare themselves for Durga Puja.

The five (5) festive days of Durga Puja welcoming Devi Durga is aplomb with rituals and accompanied with dhak, dhunuchi and shiuli …

SASTHI
Shashti, the sixth day of the moon when Goddess Durga is welcomed with much fanfare and gusto. Look for the 'Bodhon' rituals when the face of the Durga is unveiled.

SAPTAMI

Saptami features the first day of Durga puja; commencement of rituals; predawn bathing of 'Kola Bow'.

ASTHAMI

Most important day of Durga Puja; celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasur; devotees recite the mantras and offer flowers to Devi Durga (pushpanjali) and pray for her blessings; rituals of animal sacrifices; animals are now substituted with 'chalkumro' (type of pumpkin), cucumber and banana.

NAVAMI

Last day of Durga Puja; commencement of 'Sandhi Puja'. Nabami Bhog... Goddess Durga is offered food which is later distributed among the devotees. "Sandhi puja" - End moment of Ashtami and the beginning of Nabami is the time for Sandhi Puja. At this time Devi Durga transformed into Devi Camunda to kill "Chando" and "Mundo", the two generals of Mahishasura (the Buffalo Demon).

DASHAMI
Dashami is the day when Goddess Durga accompanied with her children sets for Kailash, her husband's abode. With a heavy heart the Bengalis immerse the clay idol of Durga in the sacred Ganges bidding her goodbye and earnestly waiting to see her again the next year.

"Sindur Khela" (Vermillion game) is a major event of Dashami. Married women apply vermilion to each other and greet each other with sweets. It is in the evening when Goddess Durga is immersed Bengalis greet each other with bijoya greetings and men follow the customary 'Kolakuli' (embrace each other).

Durga Puja is a festival, Bengalis celebrate without religious inhibitions.It is now more of a socio- cultural celebration that tends to renew kinship with friends and relatives.

Ashubhor Opor Shubho Saktir Joi :Durga Pujo 2007 in Bangalore

Durga Puja, a festival of the Bengalis is the worship of 'Shakti' or the divine power. Most of the religious celebrations in the world have legends surrounding this power. The fables are generally the fight between the evil and the good - the dark forces eventually succumbing to the divine. The worship of Goddess Durga is based on myths where Durga symbolizes the divine power.

Following are the places, that I came to know through various sources, where Durga Puja Celebration is happening all around Bangalore from 17Oct2007 to 21Oct2007. Wish you a very happy Durga Puja festival(Shubho Sharodiyar Priti O Shubhechha).

1. Ulsoor Bangali Association (RBANMS Ground near commercial road,Shivajinagar)

2. Indiranagar Cambridge Layout (Near Ulsoor Flower Market)

3. Koramangala, Sarathi Cultural Trust (Mangala Kalyana Mantapa, 8thblock, '80' ft Road, Koramangala. Near Ganesha Temple - Raheja ArcadeRd)

4. JP Nagar (N.R.Kalyana Mantapa, adjacent to Mandavi Motors,Bannerghatta Road, J P Nagar, 2nd phase)

5. Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja (Jaymahal Ladies Club Ground, OffNandi-Durga Rd)

6. R.T.Nagar Bihari Association

7. Airforce Command Hospital (Indiranagar)

8. Jalahalli Airforce Base (East/West)

9. K.R.Puram Durga Puja (Near K.R.Puram Market after I.T.I - Off oldmadras road)

10. Whitefield Durga Puja

11. Brookfield Durga Puja (near ITPL)

12. Hebbagodi Durga Puja (near Hebbagodi bus stand, beside BIOCON factory on HOSUR ROAD)

13. Attibele Durga puja (near Attibele bus terminal circle, HosurRoad,commencing from last year )

14. Durga puja near Bangalore Corporation Circle (beside GEO HOTEL )

15. Rajaji Nagar Durga puja (near Navarang theatre)

16. ARMY DURGA PUJA (MURGESHPALYA ARMY BASE, Wind Tunnel Road, NearManipal hospital)

17. AIR FORCE CAMP DURGA PUJA (NEAR PALACE GROUND)

18. Durga puja in Taluk office ,HOSUR (NEAR Balaji Theatre)

19. Durga Puja near Marathahalli (Near Munnekalola, near to Marathahalli Railway Bridge on Varthur Main Rd)

20. Kaggadaspura Durga Puja (Started this year)

21. SAHAKARA NAGAR (Started this year.Worth visiting this pandal.They built a Howrah bridge in the pandal)

Below are few details with direction to visit :

Airport Road - Wind Tunnel Road
Air Force Puja - After you enter Wind Tunnel Road from Airport Road, halfway on Wind Tunnel Road, there is a driveway that takes you into an Air Force Campus. This is probably opposite Rifco Apartment. A sureshot way to not miss it is to realize that the Air Force Campus wall stretches from Airport Road halfway into Wind Tunnel Road.

This is typically a small puja. However, it is done in a pretty homely way. Kind of like Chotto Para pujas in the Bengali heartland. For those who know me, Habul was the singer (evening entertainer on one of the puja evenings) here, last year. This is also a good location for the sindoor stuff on Dashami, for those who stay on Airport Road.

Bellary Road-Mekhri Circle
If you travel along Bellary Road from City Centre (Windsor Manor or Cauvery Theatre) toward Hebbal. As you cross the Mekhri Circle underpass, you will see an entrance to an Air Force Campus on the left side. The puja is almost just inside the gate. This is not a very large puja. There are cultural programs in the evening. This is a multicultural puja with probably more of Hindi songs and programs than anything else.

Cambridge Layout - Indiranagar
The typical route is after exiting the Command Hospital puja and moving toward Indiranagar. In the Cambridge Layout area, after crossing the Sai Mandir etc., there is a lane to the left just before reaching a small bridge over a drain. This is on the way to ESI Hospital, and finally the SONY Service Centre on 100 Feet Road. Once you enter this lane, it winds for a few hundred metres and brings you to a municipal choultry adjacent to a temple. This is the location of the Puja. Definitely one of the bigger pujas with grand cultural programs.

Command Hospital -Indiranagar\Airport Road\Cambridge Layout
If you go from MG Road toward the Airport, you will notice a left turn just before Command Hospital pops up on your left. Entering this left turn, you'll find yourself deep inside Defence property. Few hundred meters in, there is a circle where you have to enter the hospital gate on the right. Inside, you wind along toward the commotion, and presently you'll find yourself at a large playground where the puja is held. Not a big puja, but hosts Hindi song evenings. Being a Defence puja, it is markedly multicultural.

CV Raman Nagar/DRDO
I guess there's one there too. Probably in the Community Centre.

Jayamahal
One of the bigger pujas. Well documented too... Read up the blog by clicking on the link here...

Jayamahal Ladies Club Grounds, off Nandidurg Main Road, Jayamahal, Bangalore (close to Cantonment area).

JP Nagar
Usually, at the junction of Bannerghatta Road and Outer Ring Road in JP Nagar. In a Kalyan Mantapa opposite to Shoppers Stop. A medium-sized puja.

Koramangala
This puja is a few years old and was located at the Kalyana Mantapa near Ganesha Temple for last couple of years. Apparently, this year, they banished a subgroup for unknown reasons. This subgroup started a brand new puja. Interestingly, this new group managed to book the Kalyana Mantapa before the Real McCoys. So you'll see this new puja at the old place this year.The traditional group can be visited few hundred meters away, somewhere near the Police Station. Excellent turn of luck for Koramangalaians in terms of being able to see two pujas in one shot!

Mahalakshmi Layout: North Bangalore
I am sure there is a puja, though I'll need to figure out the route - stay tuned. Sadumatada Sadara Vidyabhivrudhi Sangha, No. 5A, 4th A Main Road, 12th Cross, West of Chord Road, Mahalakshmipuram, Bangalore 560086.

Malleshwaram - Canara Union
This was pointed out to be a simple, middle-class puja. I remember having visited last year. Shouldn't have forgotten to include. Definitely gives a homely sense.

Marathahalli
It is reached by taking a right turn from the top of Marathahalli railway overbridge, while headed toward Whitefield (alongside Aishwarya Apartments). It is the second year of this puja.

Bengalee association ULSOOR
R.B.A.N.M.S. Exhibition Ground, opposite to Ajanta Talkies, Near Ulsoor Lake, Bangalore-42 -- Opposite Shree Complex (also home to Cybermedia's/CIOL's office)

Bengali Association, Assaye Road. The puja is located in large open fields in the vicinity. This is the definitive a uber puja. Oldest, biggest, etc., etc. Not to be missed!

Whitefield - Brookefields
Located at Brookefields opposite HLL in the big marriage hall. Rapidly growing puja -- and walkable from my home! From Airport, proceed toward Marattahalli, cross and proceed toward Varthur over the railway overbridge at Marattahalli. This is one straight road.

After crossing the railway overbridge, about half a kilometre later, you reach the Kundalahalli traffic junction. Take a left there toward ITPL. About half a kilometer ahead, the marriage hall on the left hosts this puja (landmarks on the right -- opposite side of road -- Lakme Beauty Salon, Andhra Spice Restaurant, Sobha IT Park, Hindustan Lever's Brookefield office, etc).

Whitefield - Village
Located at Inner Circle of Whitefield Village (Close to Nilgiris in Whitefield). Smaller. Multicultural with a twist -- when we visited children were dancing to Tamil hits.



Links for Puja Schedule and Timings :
http://jayamahaldurgapuja.blogspot.com/


At last have some sweets ........... :-)