Durga Puja - 2014

aroy

Senior Member
Background

The Hindu religious calendar is Moon based - months start at new moon. Unlike the Muslim calendar which does not take into account the difference between Solar and Lunar cycles, for administrative purpose the Hindu calendar adjusts the difference, so that the new year is on the same day as reckoned by the Solar calendar. The religious days are still based on the lunar calendar, but because they are based on the new moon, the religious dates will vary, based on lunar cycle. So dates may upto one lunar month - 28 days.

There are a large number of Hindu festivals celebrated in India, some are pan Indian and some are confined to a particular region. Durga Puja is festival primarily celebrated in Eastern Region of India - Bengal, Orissa and Assam etc. As people from these regions have spread to all across India; and the world; where ever there are is substantial population there will be a Durga Puja celebration.

The festive season starts on the day after new moon in the month of Ashvin, which this years starts 25th September. This marks the beginning of Navaratra - nine days of festivities, culminating in Dussehra. As per Hindu tradition these are days of abstention, so many believers are vegetarian and teetotalers. Durga Puja starts on the sixth day and ends on the last day of Navaratra.

Preparations
Durga Puja celebration has slowly evolved from a festival celebrated at home, to huge public endeavors. The reason is that as people have migrated from villages, there are not enough relatives and infrastructure for a family affairs, so a cooperative effort by all in a colony is the way to go.

I live in a colony which was started for those who were displaced from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during partition of India in 1947. So it is a predominantly Bengali colony, and Durga Puja being the primary Bengali festival is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show. The number of distinct Puja locations has increased from on in 1970, to over 20 today.

In this thread I will trace the startup activities and then when the Puja starts the atmosphere. This post will be about the preparations carried out in the Shiv Mandir Complex of the colony.

1. The Pandal.
The Puja celebration is attended by thousands of people here, so a Pandal (large Tent like structure) is erected. It has a bamboo structure, and traditionally no nails are used to erect it. Coir ropes are all that is needed to bind the bamboo into a strong hurricane resistant structure.

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The Shiv Mandir complex. This a view from the rear side. The Pandal is being erected on the front side.

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View of the bamboo structure

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Workers erecting the roof

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Close up of workers on the roof

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New Porta Cabin, as a part of the security arrangements.
 

aroy

Senior Member
2a. Making of idols.

In Hindu traditions, the idols made during major festivals are immersed in flowing water at the end of the festival. Hence they are made of bi degradable materials. Traditionally even the colours were of vegetable origin, but now a days, some unscrupulous artisans use synthetic colours which lead to a lot of pollution.

The bio degradable idols are made of straw and bamboo core, covered with sculpted clay and then coloured. Finally clothes and ornaments are draped.


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Idol components made of straw

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Partially clay covered idol

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First layer of clay - rough shape
 
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aroy

Senior Member
2b. Making of Idols

There are two types of configurations used for displaying the idols.
1. All grouped together, backed up by a solid frame, an a sturdy pedestal. This makes for a compact display, bus very heavy.
2. Individual idols. The organizers will display them a bit spread out. The advantage is that the idols can be made smaller, but spread out have a big impact on a wide stage. Secondly as idols have to be carried out for immersion, they are easier to handle.

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Idols assemble in one frame

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Individual pieces
 
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aroy

Senior Member
3. Finished and semi finished. The Ganesh Chaturti festival is just concluded, so the finished idols are of Ganesh - idol with elephant's trunk for nose. The others are nearly finished.
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Semi finished

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Assembly line

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Final product
 

aroy

Senior Member
4. The Artisans at work

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The location where they are making the idols. As it rains at this times, the area has to be well covered, else the idols will just melt away in water.

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Mixing the clay

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Chef artisan

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Helper at work

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Rolling fingers

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Artisans at work
 

shukla

Senior Member
Yet another interesting, eye opening post of lovely informative images:) ......

it is no surprise that the arrangements are already underway .... just a month to go anyways...

v all look forward to the events ...:)
 

aroy

Senior Member
A week has passed and there is progress

1. Pandals

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Stitched panorama of the main pandal

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Close ups of the roof. The frame has been covered with tarpaulin as it is raining now, and may rain during the festival.

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Erection of the second pandal at the back side. This is where cultural programs will be held.
 

Deleted

Senior Member
Very interesting to learn about your culture.

Something for next year, how about a time-lapse video detailing the making of one of the idols? :)
 

aroy

Senior Member
Very interesting to learn about your culture.

Something for next year, how about a time-lapse video detailing the making of one of the idols? :)
It is quite a slow process, with a lot of activities going in parallel. Still the idea merits thinking about.
 

Deleted

Senior Member
It is quite a slow process, with a lot of activities going in parallel. Still the idea merits thinking about.

I think that you have a flair in recording cultural history. To find a way to record the making of one of the idols would be fascinating to view now & many years in the future.

Also a suggestion for your current photographs, which I think serve as an interesting record of the event. Assuming that you ask the artisans permission to take their photographs, it would be nice (with their permission) to record their names alongside the photographs. This would add extra information for future generations. Maybe one day, the idols will all be made by robots & the art of making them will be lost.
 

aroy

Senior Member
I think that you have a flair in recording cultural history. To find a way to record the making of one of the idols would be fascinating to view now & many years in the future.

Also a suggestion for your current photographs, which I think serve as an interesting record of the event. Assuming that you ask the artisans permission to take their photographs, it would be nice (with their permission) to record their names alongside the photographs. This would add extra information for future generations. Maybe one day, the idols will all be made by robots & the art of making them will be lost.

They are willing, as they want it published. So I will get their names, photographs and address.
 

aroy

Senior Member
A bit off the topic.
The Festive season in India is during September to November and comprises of a lot of Festivals and Puja. Starts with Rakhi and ends with Diwali. In between there are Ganesha Puja, Vishwakarma Puja, Durga Puja and Laxmi Puja.

Today I attended Vishwakarma Puja. This puja is for the God of Technical things - tools, instruments etc. On this day most artisans and workers take the day off.

1. The idol


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aroy

Senior Member
2. Puja

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Pandit reciting the mantras
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Over view of the Pandit
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Devotee offering prayers
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Pandit adding to the Sacred Fire
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Incense Burner
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Holi Fire post Puja. Every one takes the heat from the lamp and applies it to the head.
 

aroy

Senior Member
3. Lamps.

This Puja was conducted by my former employer - Swastic Group. So you see the "Swastic" symbol made out in earthen lamps. Swastic is the ancient symbol of Vishnu in India.
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Preparing the lamps
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Close up of the earthen lamp
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Laying the lamps in shape of Swastic
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Joint effort while lighting the lamps
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Joint effort while lighting the lamps
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Last one
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Final outcome
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More lamps for Arti
 
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aroy

Senior Member
4. Venue and Food

No festival in India is complete without food. So here is the venue - one of the buildins in final stages of construction and a sample of the snacks. The Snacks will follow the Puja. The lunch will come later in the afternoon.

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The Venue

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Panorama of the snacks counter. It extends by the same amount to the left

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Grill

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Making of Chilla a Marwari delicacy
 
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