Cool Bihari: Durga Puja in Bihar

Today is navaratri and the number nine is closely associated with the process of Creation in the cosmic time cycle. It is considered puran or complete. Any number multiplied by nine gives a figure that adds up to nine. Ratri means night. The Rigveda states that creation came about when everything was covered in the darkness of night. Navratra signifies the concept of ‘Back to Godhead’ Nav means nine and Ratri means night.

Photo Courtesy:Chandan Singh

These nine nights occur on equinoxes when the sun is vertically overhead at the equator. The Cosmic Mother is worshipped during these 9 days. The number nine is closely associated with the process of Creation in the cosmic time cycle. It is considered puran or complete. Any number multiplied by nine gives a figure that adds up to nine.Read more here.

I'm sure many Biharis will be missing the fervour and hungama of Puja Celebrations in Patna.I was just going through the various portals on Puja celebrations and some of the links are given below for readers to revive the memories of Patna during the Puja.

Patna Daily

Times of India :On Pandals :Another one

Photo Gallery by Patna Daily

Events in Patna

An interesting article appeared in TOI which talks about the unique aspect of Durga Puja pandals and replicas in Bihar.

Over 200 Muslim artisans are giving finishing touches to replicas of Hindu temples and palaces crafted here for the Durga Puja. "We have been working for 10 days to create something attractive. We feel proud as our creations give pleasure to thousands who come to offer prayers to Durga," Mohammed Abid, one of the craftsmen here, said. Muslim craftsmen have been invited from West Bengal and Jharkhand by organizers of festival committees in the hope of competing with one another this festival season, which has become highly market-driven over the years.

Without the Muslim artisans and craftsmen, we cannot think of these beautiful marquees," said a festival organiser. "We give them respect, honour and money for building these beautiful creations that add colour to the festival."

And finally my own musing on Durga Puja in Patna which was published in Times of India.

Having spent nearly 20 years in Patna it's kind of an ordeal to stay away from my home for a great festival like Durga Puja.I've vivid memories and experiences of all those years spent in Patna during the festivities. The fervour,the enthusiasm and the cross cultural,religion participation is something which makes Dussehera very special for all Patnaiya's.

For a die hard Patnaiya like me Durga Puja reminds me of the splendor and grandeur of the huge pandals and statues in Boring road,Patna City,Digha Ghat,Dak Bunglow Chowraha,Kankarbagh and Ashok Rajpath University area. The sacred and pious aroma of camphor and agarbatti is something which takes me back to my days in Patna when the start of Durga Puja was beginning of all the great celebrations ahead.

Some of the particular attraction to me is the Unique Pandals,cartoons and confluence of various religions and culture during these festivities. At present I'm in Mysore (http://www.mysoredasara.info) where Dussehera is celebrated with great fervor and lot of foreign tourists and national tourist flock to join the royal celebrations. But still my heart and soul lies in my city of youth and where my roots are. I'm missing Patna like anything on this earth.

Wishing you all a very Happy Durga Puja…