History of Durga Puja - 1

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The Goddess Durga, according to the Puranas, had

been worshipped through three ages - 'Satya', 'Treta'

and 'Dwapar'. As for Kali, it is our obligation to

continue. In 'Satyajug', the first of the four parts that,

according to the Hindu Concept, divide the endless time,

Raja Suratha and Samadhi Vaishya performed her puja.

In 'Tretajug', Durga was worshipped both by Rama and

Ravana in Autumn and Spring respectively. The 'Gopinis'

(milkmaids) of Brindaban worshipped the goddess wishing to

have Lord Krishna as their husband. They worshipped in

pre-winter. But Autumn, of all seasons, proved an ideal

season for the Durgapuja. In a tropical country like

India, kings and courtiers preferred Autumn, all along,

an ideal season for their heroic exploits. Even Rama

waited for the sunny Autumn before he went to the Lanka

expedition. Especially in Eastern India the monsoon plays

such havoc that since the beginning of the recorded

history all the battles and adventures are noted to

happen in Autumn, after being those postponed in

Monsoon.<br>And in course of time, when monarchy whittled down to

feudalism, Autumn still presented an ideal ambience for

hunting and pseudo-heroic activities to the zamindars and

feudal overlords. Before they went a-hunting, they

sought the blessings of the goddess and performed her

puja with the feudal style of pomp and prodigality.

The dacoits that infested Eastern India with the fall

of Muslim rule and before the Company (East India

Company)Government had had its stability, inherited the tradition of

the feudal. Durga alias Chandi consequently became

the goddess of hunting and tour-de-force. The late

18th century onwards Babus (big officers), the

prodigal sons of the company(East India company), amassed

their fortune from the currency that floated during the

Dual Government and the first phase of the Company

rule. They chose Durga Puja as the medium to advertise

their tinsel pride. And by the first decade of 19th

Century, Durga Puja became a multi-thousand extravaganza.

The tradition of big budget pujas of the 'Hatkhola

Dattbari' of Nabakrishna Dev or of Chhatubabu and Latubabu

had their cue. The Sahibs, even the Lieutenant

Governors of east India Company were, at times, invited to

attend the puja and share the fun and fete of the

festival.