Bengali Cards

Happy Durga Puja

Thank You

Shubho Bijoya

About Durga Puja

Durga Puja or Durgotsab marks the beginning of festive season. It begins with soshthi the 6th day of Navratri and ends on Dussehra! The six days of Durga Puja are known as Mahalaya, Shashthi , Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami respectively. Durga Puja is mainly celebrated in Eastern part of India like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura. Maa Duga idol is decorated and worshipped throughout the region. Lots of pandals are decorated. Some of the most popular activities of Durga Puja are decorating the Goddess Durga idol, sending sweets and gifts.

The sound of dhak, the dhunuchi nach, the singing and dancing and sweets distribution are all attributes of the ‘pujo’ celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and fervor all over India and especially in Bengal. The month in which Ma Durga comes is called ‘Sharod’ and hence the time or season celebration is popularly known as ‘Sharodutsav’. ‘Sharodutsav’ is the home coming of Goddess Durga also called Mahisasur Mardini. According to the Hindu mythology Mahisasur was a powerful demon who had Lord Shiva’s blessing that he would not be killed by any man or God. He spread his terror far and wide and massacred the innocent. So the creators of the universe Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh united their powers to create a woman more superior and powerful than Mahisasur and the other Gods gifted their weapons to put an end to this terror. Hence the name Mahisasur Mardini which means killer of Mahisasur came in.

Durga Puja is a ten day festival and is also known as Navratri in many states. Shastmi, Saptami, Ashtami and Navani are the days when it is believed that Devi Durga records everyone’s wishes and then opens up her treasure for her devotees. The tenth day of the festival is called Dussera or the ‘Vijaya Dashmi.’ Or ‘Bijoya’. In sanskrit Vijaya means ‘victory’ and Dashmi is the tenth day of the Hindu calendar. It was on this day that Lord Rama took Maa Durga’s blessings to kill Ravana. So every year to this day Durga Puja signifies the victory of good over evil. In Bengal Durga Puja is also called ‘Sharadiya Puja.’ And the tenth day people wish each other by saying ‘Shubho Bijoya’

During the pujas there are pandals being set up with elaborate decorations. The artisans use their creativity to the hilt to decorate the idols and the pandals. People flock to various pandals in great numbers to offer their prayers and also to admire the beauty and creativity put on display in the pandals. In this festive season families come out to visit Maa Durga for her Aashirvad and the bhog (food that is offered to the Goddess first and then distributed among her devotees). People exchange sweets, fruits, gift items and the occasion is a grand celebration for all. The Durga Puja Pandals are grand and these days there are competitions held for the best decorated pandals or the most creative pandals of the year. So on this festive season send your loved one puja greetings or e cards to wish them the happiness and luck and what better way to do it than with an e card. Why wait! Celebrate this festive season of Dhak, Rasogulla and many more with warm ecards of Durga Puja. Send free Duga Puja cards! All cards are absolutely FREE!!