THE HINDU FESTIVALS: DURGA POOJA

DURGA POOJA

Durga Puja is widely celebrated in West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura where it is a five-day annual holiday. Not only it is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the State, but also the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengali society. Apart from Eastern part of India, Durga Puja is also celebrated in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Kashmir, Karnataka and Kerala. Durga Puja is also celebrated as a major festival in Nepal and Bangladesh. Nowadays, many non-residential Bengali cultural organizations arrange for Durgotsab in the countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Kuwait etc. In 2006, a grand Durga Puja ceremony was held in the Great Court of the British Museum.

University of Minnesota & University of Dhaka are the two universities in the World to have patronized and allowed Durga Puja in its premises.
The prominence of Durga Puja increased gradually during the British Raj in Bengal. After the Hindu reformists resemble Durga with India, she had become an icon for the Indian independence movement. On the first quarter of the 20th century, the tradition of Baroyari or Community Puja was popularised due to this. After independence, Durga Puja became one of the largest celebrated festivals in the whole world.
Durga Puja includes the worships of Shiva, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati and Kartikeya 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.

THE MUSLIM FESTIVALS: EID UL FITR

Eid-ul-Fitr

The main Muslim festivals are Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. From time to time folk culture has influenced these festivals, as a result of which the original religious practices have changed. Eid-ul-Fitr is observed after the end of the month of Ramadan.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated in Bangladesh with great devotion. Everyone tries to dress well and prepares special dishes according to their ability on this day. Relatives and neighbours also share the joys of this festival with each other.

Eid fairs are organized at many rural places. These fairs are basically gatherings that promote friendship among the rural people. The fairs are arranged on the bank of a nearby river or under a big banyan tree near the local bazar. Handicraft items and foodstuffs such as chira, muri, khai, manda and sweets are sold in the fairs. Nakshi pankha, dolls, decorated pottery as well as musical instruments such as flute, drum, ektara are also sold. Some fairs have merry-go-rounds, puppet shows and bioscopes. In some areas of riverine Bangladesh, boat races are organized.