First Day of Durga Puja Festivities in India ― Date, History, and Details
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History of First Day of Durga Puja Festivities in India and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Durga Puja is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. It is also a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, typically September or October in the Gregorian calendar.
The first day of Durga Puja is Mahalaya, which is the beginning of the Devi Paksha, or the fortnight of the goddess. On this day, the goddess is believed to descend from her heavenly abode to earth. The next six days are called Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami. These are the days when the goddess is worshipped with grandeur and enthusiasm.
On the first day of the festival, a small clay statue of the goddess is made and placed on a raised platform. The statue is then worshipped with flowers, incense and candles. On the sixth day, the statue is taken out in a procession and immersed in water. This marks the end of the festival.