Devi Durga was a Power created in heaven by the Gods ( Bramha, Vishnu, and Maheshwar) as Shakti to overcome the buffalo demon Mahishasura who had been tormenting them, the lesser gods, and the sanyasis for a long.
Goddess Durga is worshipped in her numerous forms across the wide spectrum of the country. Celebrations in other parts of the world are also quite common these days, especially the countries with Bengali dominance. Bengal however celebrates in true grandeur of her power is experienced through the magnificent of festivities held in the honor of the goddess during the Durga Puja. Over the years, Durga Puja has become an integral part of Indian culture with many people across the length and breadth of the country celebrate the festival in their way maintaining a rich cultural tradition.
Bengali, Zamindars in Malda, and Dinajpur are believed to be have been the pioneers of grand celebrations associated with Durga Puja in the 16 century.
The Nawab of Nizam of Murshed Khan, way back in 1707 encouraged Hindu Zamindars like Lakshi Kanti Majumder to organize Durga Puja with much grandeur in West Bengal. With this started the Puja in Zamindari families, even today some of these Bonedi Barir Durga Puja continue to remain amongst the most sought after heritage Puja of Kolkata and draws a huge crowd.
“Baarowari” Pujo was however organized when twelve friends from Gupta para, Kolkata joined hands to organize the festivities in the year 1790, which is believed to be the first-ever Puja outside the Zamindar family and marks the change in scenario and shape of things to come in future. Raja Harindranath of Cossimbazar was revered for hosting Durga Puja in 1832. However, by this time, Baarowari had evolved to represent collective efforts in many places.
The community Puja, better known as Sarbojanin Durga Puja meant for all gradually became an order of the day by 1910, organized by Sanatan Dharmatsahini Sabha in Bagbazar, had humongous participation from people from all walks of life.
Today the love for the eternal Goddess of power has led the Sarbojanin Puja everywhere, however, selected heritage Puja is still being celebrated and appreciated. People not just in India but across the globe share their happiness, excitement, and devotion towards Goddess with great enthusiasm and