Vibrant celebration of Durga Puja in Sector-92
Durga Puja, a major festival of Hinduism traditionally held in the month of Ashvin, or Ashvina (September–October), the seventh month of the Hindu calendar, and particularly celebrated in Bengal, Assam, and other eastern Indian states. Durga Puja is a special puja (offering) festival that celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura (from the Sanskrit terms mahisa, “buffalo” and asura, “demon”).
NADA, the Noida Durgotsav Association, is a prominent group that organizes the vibrant celebration of Durga Puja across multiple sectors in Noida. This year, they chose to host the festivities in Sector-92 with full support of RWA Sector-92, where the community came together to partake in this traditional and joyous event. The celebrations began with the setting up of pandals. These are often beautifully decorated with themes that can range from traditional to contemporary, sometimes even highlighting social or environmental issues. Durga Puja is a vibrant festival that spans five days, each marked by its own significance and rituals. It begins with Shashthi, the sixth day, which signifies the arrival of the goddess Durga. This is followed by Saptami, the seventh day, when the main festivities begin, and devotees invoke the goddess. As the celebration progresses to Ashtami, the eighth day, the atmosphere becomes charged with energy as devotees participate in intense prayers and rituals. Navami, the ninth day, continues the reverent observances, culminating in the grand finale of Vijay Dashami, the tenth day, which celebrates the victory of Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Sindoor Khela is a significant ritual observed on the final day of the Durga Puja festival, primarily among married women. During this ceremony, the participants, adorned in their finest attire, offer sindoor, or vermilion powder, to the idol of Goddess Durga. The ritual involves applying sindoor on each other’s faces and also throwing it into the air, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. Sindoor Khela serves as a joyful farewell to the goddess and symbolizes celebration, camaraderie, and the blessings bestowed by Durga upon the women and their families.
Each of these days is steeped in cultural traditions and communal gatherings, making Durga Puja a truly remarkable and cherished event. Throughout the five days, there were elaborate puja rituals, which include chanting of mantras, offering flowers, and sacrifices which includes freeing pigeons. Devotees also lit lamps, offered sweets, and recited sacred texts. The residents of Sector 92 enthusiastically participated in the pujas, bringing a festive spirit and a sense of community to the celebrations. Their presence enriched the rituals, as families gathered to offer prayers and share in the festivities together.
