Famous 5 Religious West Bengal Festivals in India.

West Bengal Festivals is the richest state of art and culture of India The five religious festivals of West Bengal are as follows.

About of: West Bengal in India:-West Bengal is located on the eastern side of India. The state covers a total area of 88,752 sq. Km. The neighboring states are Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, Bhutan and Assam. West Bengal formation as a state in the year of 26th Januay1950. Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal. The major languages in west Bengal are Urdu, Bengali and Hindi. West Bengal is the 7th populous state in India. The principal occupation of the people of the state is farming. It makes the sixth-highest contribution to the Gross Domestic Product of the county. The culture of West Bengal is the richest culture in India.

1. Durga puja:-

Durga Puja in Kolkata is the grandest of all festivals celebrated in the capital city in honor of Goddess Durga during the period of Navaratri. Durga puja is celebrated for 10 days, starting from the sixth day to the 10th day the pandals with idols of Goddess Durga are celebrated by the people of West Bengal. This is one of the most famous religious festivals of west Bengal.

The 10th day is known as Vijaya Dashami. The first day of Durga puja is called” Mahalaya”.Durga puja in Kolkata has its unique rituals. A week before Namarari begins with the idols of Goddess Durga are being painted and made ready except for the eyes. On the occasion of Mahalaya, the Goddess is invited on earth with rituals and eyes drawn on idols on an auspicious day called ‘Chokku Daan”.

The sixth day of Navaratri is called is the first day in Kolkatta. The beautifully decorated idols are placed in pandals decorated for the public. The idol is decorated with flowers, clothes and jewelry etc. The idol of Goddess is accompanied by the idol of Lord Ganesh and brother Kartikeya with goddess Laxmi and Davi Saraswati. The tenth day is called Dashmi.On this day,, Goddess Durga gained victory over the Demon “Mahisasura” to save the earth. This day is also known as “Vijayadashami”.

The grand Durga puja is the beautiful culture of Bengal in India. In the evening during the Durga puja, the devotees are and local people come to see the decorated lights, music, dance and idols of Goddess Durga.

The Main location of beautiful pandals of Durga puja is New Alipore, Behela, Khidderpore, Naktala, Shyam Bazar, Chetla.Ultadanga,Sobhabazar, Dum dum and Lake town, Ballyanja and Howrah. Durga puja is the most important festival in West Bengal, which is widely celebrated among the other states of India.

2. Kali Puja:-

Kali puja is also known as” Shyama puja” or “Mahanisha puja” in Kolkata in West Bengal. This puja is dedicated to Hind Goddess “Kali”.This festival celebrates on the new moon day (Dipannita Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartika. It coincides with the Laxmi puja on the day of Diwali.

This is one of the most famous religious festivals in West Bengal.

In Bengal in the 18th century the king Krishnachandra of Krishnan agar, Nadia, West Bengal also made this puja widespread. Kali puja gained popularity in the 19th Century when Goddess Kali saint “Ramakrishna” became popular among the people of Bengalis. During Kali Puja, worshipers honor the goddess Kali in their homes in the form of clay sculptures and in pandals. Goddess Kali worshiped at night with Tantric and mantras.

She was prescribed an offering of red hibiscus flowers, sweets and rice and lentils and fruits. The worshipers should meditate throughout the night until dawn. The celebration of kali puja is held in Kolkata, Guwahati, Odisha and other parts of India. People from all the strata of life joined the festival in colorful clothes and exchanged greetings and sweets as the festival was being celebrated together with merrymaking.

Whenever we think about Maa Kali a picture in mind pops that is fierce and violent. Goddess Kali’s image depicts her foot on the chest of Lord Shiva, wearing a garland of severed heads and hands, with a sword in one hand and slaughtered head in another and a red tongue hanging with fuming eyes. Goddess “Kali” name is derived from the Sanskrit word Kal, which means “the time” that is why seen as eternal. However his appearance is aggressive and fearsome but for the devotees, she is a loving and caring mother, who is there to protect her child. In Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, Kalikhetra temple in Bhubaneswar, and Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Kali is worshiped as Lakshmi. This is one of the most famous religious festivals in West Bengal.

on this day so as to reflect the essence of Vaishnava Haldar’s on Kali worship. Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali & Maha Saraswati on this day. The Festival of Nari shakti” Kali puja” is one of the ancient rituals in India which started in West Bengal in the 18th Century. It is a festival of colors, spirituality, love, faith and social gatherings.

3. Bhai phota:-

Bhai phota festival is a Hindu festival in India. It is also called “Bhi Dooj”.On this day, sisters fast for their brother wishing them good luck, prosperity and health. In return, the brother promises to protect her life. On Bhai Dooj, sister prays for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing Tika ceremony and brother offer gifts to their sisters.

Bahia Dooj is also known as “Bhau beej”, BhatraDwitya” and “Bhatru Dwitiya”. The special bond between brother and sister that has always been cherished across the country. Kolkatta holds is an important place among all states of India because of its rich cultural heritage. The city is known for its numerous festivals which are celebrated with great joy in almost all the corners of the state of West Bengal.This is one of the most famous religious festivals in West Bengal.

One such festival is “Bhai photo” or “Bhai dooj”.Bhai photos get special status among the people of Bengali society. Bhai photo is a unique Hindu festival that conveys the strong bond shared by sisters and brothers. At this festival, sisters keep fast and they wish for long life and prosperity for their brothers.

This festival is celebrated two days after another festival of “Diwali”.Bhai photo falls on Shukla paksha of Kartik month of Bengali calendar. Bhai photo is known as the “Bhai Dooj” in the rest of India except West Bengal. Literally” Bhai “means brother and “photo” means “a mark” in the Bengali language. On this occasion, the sister put a “Tilak” on the forehead of their brother.

4. Id-ul-fitar:-

Id is the largest festival of the Muslim religion in West Bengal. This festival is celebrated in the month of May every year.”Id-ul-Fitar “comes after the lapse of the Ramzan month and a happy communion after a month of prayer and fasting. Seventy days after “Id-ul-Fitar” comes after festive occasion known as “Id–ul-Juha”.This is one of the most famous religious festivals in West Bengal.

This festival is celebrated not only in West Bengal but all over the world where the Muslim community exists. It is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Eid-ul-Fitr has a particular salat (Ismalic payer) that consists of two units generally performed in an open field or in a large hall. Id-ul-Fitar comes after the lapse of the Ramzan month and makes happy communion after a month of prayer and fasting.

Muslim people are wearing new clothes. It is a must after special Morning Prayer which is joined by every male in front of a mosque or in an open space. It is the largest festival to the Muslims of West Bengal.Id-Ul –Fitar comes after the Ramzan month and marks a happy communion after a month.  .I

It is a day of feasting and quiet merriment for religious discourses during the main part of the day’s observances. “Id” is an Arabic word that means “festivity” while “Fitar” means “breaking the fast”. Special foods and delicious foods are prepared for the day and presented to neighbors and friends. The Muslims of West Bengal celebrate Id-ul-Fitar with great enthusiasm.

5. Jamai Shashti:-

Jamai Shashti is a day, devoted to the “son-in-law”. This festival is celebrated in all parts of West Bengal by the Hindu community. This day is regarded as an auspicious day and most of the families organize the party dedicated to the son-in-law. This festival is an integral part of the rich culture and tradition of West Bengal. On the day of celebration, the in-law invites their daughters and sons-in-law.This is one of the most famous religious festivals in West Bengal.

To celebrate this occasion, the in-laws invite their daughters and sons-in-law. The mothers-in-law perform a number of rituals throughout the day. Offering puja is also a part of it. This festival also includes presenting the son-in-law with certain gifts. The mother-in-law also touches the son-in-law forehead to bless him for a long life. 

 After this ritual, the son-in-law is served delicious food items. This festival serves the purpose of beginning the son-in-law much closer to the family.

This is a complete family festival that brings together and happiness to bind other family members as well. The traditional “Jamai Shashti “originated ages ago as a part of women’s socio-religious duty. This festival is observed on the sixth day of Shukla paksha in Jyestha month.

 The festival of “Jamai Sashti” is celebrated in Kolkata, which displays the beautiful bonding of “son-in-law” with his in-laws. Best and favorite delicacies’ foods are prepared for a son-in-law. Guests are offered exotic Bengali dishes, various fish delicacies and sweets.