Durga Puja - A Hindu Festival

Durga Puja is a Bengali Hindu Puja festivity worshipping the power of female Shakti symbolized by the Goddess Durga. It is an annual autumn celebration marked by 6 days which are called Mahalaya, Shashthi , Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami. Although initially it was celebrated only in West Bengal and Tripura, today Durga Puja or Durgotsab is celebrated all over the world from United States of America to United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Kuwait wherever the Bengali culture and the Bengalis have propagated.

Durga Puja includes the worships of Shiva, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati, Kartikeya and Mahishasura also. Modern tradition have come to include the display of decorated pandals and artistically depicted idols of Durga, exchange of Bijoya Greetings and publication of Puja Annuals. Durga Puja is organized by communities comprising of Indians in the US ,Europe and Australia. Although pandals are not constructed, the idols are flown in from Kumartuli in Bengal. The desire by the diaspora peoples to keep in touch with their cultural ties has led to a boom in religious tourism, as well as learning from priests or purohits versed in the rites. Also recently, the immersion of the Durga idol has been allowed in the Thames river for the festival which is held in London.

The Durga Puja celebration is marked by Puja shopping which starts well ahead of the festive season. People buy new cloths, home decorations, jewellery etc. During this time all the offices are closed in West Bengal. People sometimes visit their relatives and friends with gifts. Gifts usually includes new cloths like sarees, dhoti and kurtas, designer jewellery and now a days people also present gift certificates, durga puja egreetings and pooja greetings. Most of these new gifts are very easily delivered and most of them are easy to purchase too. Moreover, there are thousand of websites available on the internet through which you can send either of these. And the good news is that most of these services are free to use which has helped people worldwide. And unlike traditional mailing services, these internet services guarantees the delivery of the gift to the recipient. Some websites go as to deliver a report to the sender once the recipient has received his gifts. Even the recipient can send a gift in return.

Technology has not only helped people celebrate their festivals in a more joyous manner, it has also helped in bringing the world a lot closer. People living far away from their family, friends or relatives use technology to their aid to reach their near and dear ones.