Pervasive Nature of 'Durga Puja' Unifies Hindu and Muslim Communities

October 10, 2005

Lucknow, INDIA (10 Oct 2005): The Durga Puja celebrations amid the

auspicious time of the Navratras best exemplify the unifying nature

of Indian festivals.

The three-day celebrations are marked by special rituals and

oblation to propitiate the deity. However, the all-pervasive aspect

of the festivities is brought to the fore by the participation of

people from all communities in the rituals with great fervour and

devotion.

The resplendent pandals and the exquisite idols decorated in

colourful finery draw crowds to the puja venues.

People from all religions throng the pandals and offer prayers to

Goddess Durga, observing fasts, especially during Saptami, Ashtami

and Navmi.

Lucknow with an estimated two lakh Bengali population has a rich

tradition of Durga Puja dating back to almost 112 years when the

famous Bengali Club -- formed in 1892 -- began celebrating the

Sharadiya Durgotsava.

Even Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore and Subhash Chandra Bose

visited the Club in pre-independent India.

Arun Kumar Banerjee, Club general secretary, said it was Lucknow's

oldest and most revered venue for the Durga Puja.

"Mohd Hafeez, who has been providing the pandal paraphernalia to us

for years now, oberves a fast during Navratri and religiously

participates in other rituals," he said.

Hafeez even keeps an image of goddess Durga in his house and embarks

on new ventures only during these auspicious days.

Another Muslim, who supplies the material for the 'bhog' at the

Club, participates in the puja with equal enthusiasm and has also

installed a Durga idol in his shop, Mr Banerjee said.

SOURCE: New Kerala

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