DURGA PUJA ESSAY 2 (300 WORDS)

DURGA PUJA ESSAY 2

Introduction

Durga Puja is one of the main festivals of the Hindus religion. It is also known as Durgotsava or Sharadotsav of which six days are observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Astami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. Goddess Durga is worshipped all through the days of this festival. It generally falls in the Hindi month of Aswin. Goddess Durga has 10 hands with different weapon in each. People worship goddess Durga to be safe from the evil power.

About Durga Pooja

Durga Puja is celebrated from sixth to ninth day of bright lunar fortnight (shukla paksha) in Ashvin. Tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami as at this day goddess Durga got victory over a demon. This festival marks the victory of goodness over evil power, a buffalo demon Mahishasura. People in Bengal worship Durga as Durgotinashini means a destroyer of evil as well as a protector of devotees.

It is widely celebrated at many places in India such as Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Mithila, Jharkhand, Odisha, Manipur, West Bengal, etc. At some places it becomes five-days annual holiday. It is a religious and socio-cultural event being celebrated for years with complete devotion by the devotees. A huge Durga puja fair also held in the Ram-lila ground which attracts a big crowd of people.

Environmental Impact of Durga Puja

Due to the people’s negligence, it impacts the environment to a huge level. The materials used in making and coloring (such as cement, plaster of Paris, plastic, toxic paints, etc) the sculptures of Mata Durga causes pollution to the local water resources. The immersion of the statues directly pollutes the river water at the end of festival. In order to reduce the environment impacts of this festival, there should be efforts from everyone’s end that the use of eco-friendly materials by the artisans in making statues, devotees should not immerse the statues directly in Ganga water and search out some safe ways to perform the rituals of this festival. Commercialization of the Hindu festivals in the 20th century has created major environmental issues.