south asia
WHEN
October 9–19, 2018
WHERE
Cities across Bangladesh, especially in
Dhaka and Sreemangal
HOW
You can use rickshaws, taxis and motorbikes.
In Old Dhaka, it’s best to walk
DOS AND DON’TS- Do keep moving forward in the queue when
pandal hopping - Don’t use your left hand to pay for
something or give an item to someone else
EXPERIENCE
DURGAPUJADurgapuja celebrates the victory
of the goddess Durga over an evil
buffalo demon with her divine
feminine energy, called shakti. This
arresting scene is reproduced on
pandals across Bangladesh’s Hindu
community, depicting Durga seated on
a lion, slaying the demon, surrounded
by her husband and four children.
These pandals – mobile temples
made of bamboo and colourful cloth
(often embellished with great creative
liberty) – house a tableau of idols
made by artisans over four months
with clay, glass or other materials.
The painting of Durga’s eyes is
left until last, and completed in a
ritual called Chokkhu Daan, which
precedes the 10-day festival of fasting
and feasting. What began as a simple
celebration has evolved into fiercecompetition between neighbourhoods
to outmatch one another with lavish
decorations and themes. It is also
common to go “pandal hopping”.
During the first five days, devotees
pray to Durga at home. A young
virgin girl is also chosen among
the community and becomes a
manifestation of the goddess after a
special ritual. Worshipping this Kumari
Puja is believed to improve a woman’s
divinity, as the pure child encapsulates
the feminine powers of creation and
stability. The last day sees the pandals
carried in processions of frenzied
singing, dancing and drumming.
The idols are immersed in water to
represent Durga’s reunion with her
husband, and married women anoint
their faces with crimson powder as a
prayer for long life and prosperity.FESTIVAL MUST-SEE: DURGAPUJA
Bangladesh
BANGLADESHDhakaSreemangalIMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK78