Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shakti rupena sangsthita||
Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namo Namah||
Goddess Durga is an omnipresent one. She is the personification of the Universal Mother. She is the embodiment of power, peace, and intelligence in all beings. I worship her with all devotion so that she blesses me with happiness and prosperity.
It was 5am in the morning when suddenly I woke up with the chant of Durga stuti in the tv. Suddenly I realized it was Mahalaya the day when from Goddess Durga is welcomed with her children. In Bengal, it is known as Durga Puja or Durga Pujo. This festival mark as the epitomizes of victory of good over evil. The sight of 'kaash phool', the sudden appearance of advertisement hoardings all over the city and the garment stores throwing discount offers. This called as Home Coming of Maa.
This festival is observed in the month of September or October according to the Gregorian calendar. It is typically a 10-day festival which brings immense happiness, laughter, family gatherings, dance, celebrations which end in the form of Dashami also known as Dusshera in other places.
Durga Puja in Kolkata means an elaborate display of Puja Pandals and idols. If you are an admirer of creativity and have an aesthetic sense of you are bound to behold the makers who are behind these mesmerizing creations. In order to know behind the scenic beauty, one must visit the Kumartuli in West Bengal which is the hub for these unique idols.
(Image Source: http://chitrolekha.com/artisans-of-kumartuli/)
Kumartuli comprises of the two words Kumar means "Potter" and Tuli means "a small place where the potters dwell". They are also known as God/Idol Makers or the Artisans. This work has been carried off by their family from one generation to another. If you are a resident of Kolkata or an outsider you must visit the Kumartuli a few weeks before the puja.
Kumartuli is situated in North Kolkata, i.e between the Hooghly river and Rabindra Sarani. This location is preferred by the artisans because of the availability of clay which is known as Ganga Maati which is suitable to make the idols.
At first, a skeleton structure is prepared with bamboo and piles of straws.
(Source: Internet)
Artisans gather soil from Sonagachi ( the largest red light area) which is then mixed with the clay which is used to sculpt the idol of Maa Durga. It is believed that the soil of Sonagachi is pure and holy.
(source: https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/idols-making-goddess-durga/#.123ozdeht)
This clay is used by the dedicated artisans to sculpt the different body parts of Maa Durga. Maa Durga carries ten hands and in each of the hands, she has taken different armory to destroy the evil and to protect her devotee.
(Source: Internet)
(Source: http://dhimanchatterjee.net/galleries/kumartuli-kolkata/)
Maa Durga also called as "Mahisasurmardini", destroyer of Mahisasur, the strength, power, universal, Peace, intelligence, and rides a lion which is the symbol of strength and power.
(Source: Internet)
(source: https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/idols-making-goddess-durga/#.123ozdeht)
Mahisasura was trying to destroy mankind and Maa Durga took him in a battle and defeated him. Asura was fighting in the form of a buffalo in the battle.
(Source: Internet)
(Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rajeve/6091384570/in/photostream/)
Now the carving of eyes which show power, strength to fight for good against the evil and the lips which smile after destroying the evil for the sake of mankind gives an eternal peace to the mind.
(Source: Internet)
(source: https://www.theindiantalks.com/uncategorized/kumartuli-where-man-creates-god/33086/)
She is the Vision of power, strength, determination and sheer beauty. The Sculpture of Maa Durga is completed by artisans.
(Source: Internet)
(source: https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/idols-making-goddess-durga/#.123ozdeht)
Finally, Maa is adorned with saree and ornaments. Mostly, Sholapith is used for ornamenting Maa Durga which is designed by the artisans themselves and in some other times, real jewelry and sarees are used to adorn Maa and complete her ornamentation.
(Source: Internet)
(Source: Internet)
(Source: Internet)
(Source: Internet)
My feet have already started dancing remembering the beautiful music played the dhakkis, I can feel the aroma of the dhunuchi, the shiuli flowers which are used to worship Maa, the aarti, the Anjali, the song, the laughter, the joy everything.
The beautiful artifacts made by the artisans make the puja more memorable. They are the gems which work continuously 4-6 months to make the four days the happiest days for the people of Bengal..
At last all I can say is that...
Maa aaschen...
Joy Maa Durga||
