List of Puja Materials

The Essentials of Durga Puja

Specific items are needed for each day of Durga Puja. There is a detail method to worship Goddess Durga that are mentioned in the scriptures. Items which are needed for the ritual worship of the Goddess should be collected beforehand so that the ritual is performed smoothly. The list of essentials of Durga Puja are:

Items needed for Kalparambho, the ritual performed before the commencement of the puja and Mahasna:

Food Offerings : Panchashasha (grains of five types - rice, mung or whole green gram, til or sesame, mashkalai or any variety of whole black leguminous seed, job or millet), Panchagobbo (five items obtained from the cow - milk, ghee or clarified butter, curd, cow dung and gomutra ), curd, honey, sugar, three big noibiddos , one small noibiddo, three bowls of madhupakka (a  mixture of honey, curd, ghee and sugar for oblation), bhoger drobbadi (items for the feast), aaratir drobbadi mahasnan oil, dantokashtho, sugar cane juice, an earthen bowl of atop (a type of rice), til toilo (sesame oil).

Water Offerings: Ushnodok (lukewarm water), coconut water, sarbooushodhi , mahaoushodhi, water from oceans, rain water, spring water, water containing lotus pollen.

Puja Items: Sindur (vermillion), panchabarner guri (powders of five different colours - turmeric, rice, kusum flowers or red aabir, rice chaff or coconut fibre burnt for the dark colour, bel patra or powdered wood apple leaves), panchapallab (leaves of five trees - mango, pakur or a species of fig, banyan, betal and Joggodumur or fig), pancha ratna (five types of gems - gold, diamond, sapphire, ruby and pearl), panchakoshay (bark of five trees - jaam, shimul, berela, kool, bokul powdered in equal portions and mixed with water), green coconut with stalk, three aashonanguriuk (finger ring made of kusha).

Cloth Offerings: Gamcha or a piece of cloth to cover the pot, a dhoti for Vishnu, a sari each for bodhon and Chandi.

Decorative Items : Ghat or a pot, kundohari , a mirror, four arrows, tekatha or a triangular frame of wood, horitoki flowers (myrobalan), chandmala (garland with circular decorations), aashon (a mattress of jute or hay).

Other Items : Water camphor and perfumed sandal wood paste. soil - extracted from elephant tusks, from the teeth of the pig, from the horns of the ox, from the bank of rivers Ganga and Saraswati, from both the banks of a river, from a place where four roads intersect, from palaces, from the ant hill, from the mountains, Vishnu toilo.

Items needed for the Shashthi puja of Goddess Durga:

Food Offerings: A stem of wood apple with fruits, green coconut with stalk, an earthen bowl full of atop, three bowls of madhupakka, sesame seeds, curd, honey, clarified butter, sugar, three big noibiddos, one small noibiddo, bhoger drobbadi, aaratir drobbadi, grain, fruits, one dozen bananas with a single stem, white mustard seeds.

Puja Items : A pot, four arrows two ashonanguriuk, panchapallab, pancha ratna, panchashasha, panchagobbo, tekatha, dubba grass, sindur, swastik pituli, conch shell, kajol (corrilium), gorachana, yellow thread, chamor, a fly-whisk made of yak's tail used for fanning, earthen lamps, panch pradip for arati.

Cloth Offerings: Gamcha to cover the pot, a dhoti for the wood apple tree, a sari for bodhon, one sari for amontron.

Decorative Items: Myrobalan, flowers, chandmala, adibas oil, turmeric, soil from the bank of river Ganga, perfume, stone, gold, silver, copper, iron, mirror and alta.

Items Needed For Saptami Puja of Goddess Durga:

Food Offerings: Sesame seeds, myrobalan, flowers, two earthen bowls full of atop, green coconut with stalk, wood apple leaves, white mustard, madhupakka (40 or 22 bowls), honey, sugar, noibiddos (40 or 22), one main noibiddo, fruits, items for bhog.

Puja Items: Jute ropes, red thread, alta, four finger rings, four yadnyopaveet, a pot, a mirror, a tekatha, sandalwood, mashkolai, hibiscus flower, small noibiddo, one big earthen lamp, panchapallab, pancha ratna, panchashasha, panchaguri, vermillion, items for arati, items for the yadnya - sand, wood, dry khorke grass, cowdung, kusha grass, ghee, 108 bel leaves and a bowl.

Cloth Offerings: Clothes for the Pundit, a piece of cloth, gamcha for arati, 40 or 22 finger rings made of kusha, sari for nabapatrika, one sari for the main puja, saris for Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Chandi, dhoti for Kartik, Ganesh, Shiva, Vishnu, clothes for nine planets, clothes for peacock, mouse, lion, demon, buffalo, ox, snake, chandmala, a nosering, iron, conch shell.

Plants and flowers offerings: Flower garland, belpatra garland, Banana plant, turmeric plant, colacassia plant, wood apple stem, pomegranate stem, a stem of Jayanti plant, arum plant, rice plant, ashoka stem, twigs of white aparajita plant, two banana stems.

Items needed for Ashtami Puja of Goddess Durga:

Food Offerings : Fruits, items for bhog, items for arati, 40 or 22 bowls of madhupakka, honey, sugar, curd, ghee, 40 or 22 noibiddos, four small noibiddos.
Cloth Offerings : One sari for Durga, new clothes for Lakshmi, Saraswati, Chandi, Kartik, Ganesh, Shiva, Vishnu, nine planets, the peacock, mouse, lion, demon, buffalo, ox, snake, Jaya, Bijoya and Ram.
Puja Items : One dantakashto, 40 or 22 finger rings made of kusha, one nosering, iron, two conch shells, a box of vermillion, flowers, a garland, belpatra garland, one chandmala, one ghoti.
For Sandhi Puja:  Flowers, gold ring, a bronze bowl for madhupakka, a small sari, main noibiddo, one small noibiddo, one plate, one pitcher, iron, one nosering, one pillow, a mat, a chandmala, 108 earthen lamps, items for bhog, and items for the arati .

Items needed for Nabami and Dashami Pujas:

Food Offerings : Betel leaves, pan masala, 40 or 22 bowls of madhupakka, honey, sugar, curd, ghee, 40 or 22 noibiddos, four small noibiddos.

Cloth Offerings : Clothes for Lakshmi, Saraswati, Chandi, Kartik, Ganesh, Shiva, Vishnu, the nine planets, the Peacock, Mouse, Lion, Demon, Buffalo, Ox, Snake, Jaya, Bijoya and Ram, one dantakashto , one sari for the main puja.

Puja Items: Flowers, 40 or 22 finger rings made of kusha, one ghoti , one nosering, iron, two Shankha(conch shells), a box of Vermillion, flower garland, belpatra garland, a chandmala, one plate, items needed for the yadnya (fire sacrifice), bel leaves, gift for the Purohit.

For the Dashami puja:  Perfume, flowers, durba grass, basil leaves, bel leaves, incense sticks, an earthen lamp, noibiddo, curd, murki, sweets and items needed for Aarati.

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Navratri

Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of Maa Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratri, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worship Goddess Durga Maa. The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country. People from various sections of the society irrespective of caste and creed celebrate this festival by visiting temples and offering pujas at the Mother’s feet.

1st - 3rd day of Navratri

On the first day of the Navaratras, a small bed of mud is prepared in the puja room of the house and barley seeds are sown on it. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3-5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from God. These initial days are dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman.

4th - 6th day of Navratri

During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.

7th - 8th day of Navratri

These final days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th day of this colourful festival, yagna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.

Mahanavami

The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.

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Mahalaya

"Mahalaya day”, the day Durga was assigned the task of eliminating evil. An invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth - "Jago Tumi Jago".

The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Pujas, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra fill up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of  “devipaksha”and the beginning of the count-down of Durga. It is an auspicious Indian occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the Goddess of supreme power. The dark fortnight of Aswayuja is known as the  Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. Durga - goddess of deliverance - comes to earth on the seventh day after the autumn new moon. She is depicted by the 'kumors' or potters as a resplendent golden figure standing on a lion's back, each of her ten arms bearing a particular weapon, as she triumphs over the demon Mahisasura.

From this day starts 'Devipaksha' and marks the end of 'Pitri-paksha'. It is the day when many throng to the banks of river Ganga, clad in dhotis to offer prayers to their dead relatives and forefathers. People in the pre-dawn hours pray for their demised relatives and take holy dips in the Ganges. This ritual is known as 'Torpon'.

This day bears immense significance for the Bengalis. It is according to the myths that Sree Rama hastily performed Durga Puja just before he set for Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana. According to Puranas, King Suratha, worshiped  Goddess Durga in spring. Thus Durga Puja was also known as Basanti Puja. But Rama proponed the Puja and worshiped Durga in autumn and that is why it is known as 'Akal Bodhon' or untimely worship. It was considered untimely as it is in the myths that puja was performed when the Gods and Goddesses were awake i.e. "Uttarayan" and was not held when the Gods and Goddesses rested ie."Dakshinayan". It was on the day of Mahalaya, the beginning of "Devipoksha", the Gods and Goddesses woke up to prepare themselves for Durga Puja.

Akashvani Mahalaya: In the year 1930, Mahalaya was first broadcasted over the radio in Akashvani. The programme was organised by Premankur Aatorthi, Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Nripendra Krishna Mukhopadhya and Raichand Boral. It was broadcasted live then. Later it was recorded and played. Bengal's cine star, Uttam Kumar had once recited Mahalaya while Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhya was the music director. But it was not popular among the mass and from then it has always been the voice of Birendra Kishna Bhadra enthralling the listeners in the pre-dawn hours of Mahalaya. The script was written by Bani Kumar, music was directed by Pankaj Kumar Mallik while Dijen Mukhopadhya, Manobendra Mukhopadhya (Tabo Achinta....), Sandhya Mukhopadhya, Arati Mukhopadhya, Utpala Sen, Shyamal Mitra and Supriti Ghosh (Bajlo tomar alor benu....) sang in their melodious voices.

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The Bengalee Belief

Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati a descendant of Bramha. Sati had married Shiva against the wishes of her father. Daksha organised a sacrifice and the attendees came from various parts of the universe. He invited all of the gods and goddesses except his son in law Shiva. Against Shiva's wishes, Sati attended this sacrifice and was insulted by her father and cousins. Unable to bear this insult, Sati immolated herself.

Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, cut off Daksha's head and when pleaded by other gods, replaced it with that of a goat and restored him to life. Still berserk with grief, he picked up the remains of Sati's body, and danced the dance of destruction throughout the Universe. The other gods intervened to stop this dance, and then the Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu cut through the corpse of Sati, whose various parts of the body fell at several spots all through the Indian subcontinent and formed the sites of what today are known as Shakti Peethas today.

Shiva was finally pacified when the last piece fell off from his shoulder. Narayana revived sati as Uma for a new life. Ever since peace was restored, Uma, with her children, Ganesh and Kartick and with her two 'Sakhis' - Jaya and Bijaya, comes to visit her parent's home each year during the season of 'Sharat' or autumn when Durga Puja is celebrated.

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Akalbodhan

The worship of Devi Durga in the month of Ashwin is called 'Akalbodhan'- an uncustomary time for commencement of the worship. Hence this puja is called Akalbodhon.

In the 'Ramayana', Rama went to 'Lanka' to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana, the king of the Demons in Lanka. Before starting for his battle with Ravana, Rama wanted the blessings of Devi Durga. He came to know that the Goddess would be pleased only if she is worshipped with one hundred 'NeelKamal' or blue lotuses. Rama, after travelling the whole world, could gather only ninety nine of them. He finally decided to offer one of his eyes, which resembled blue lotus. Durga, being pleased with the devotion of Rama, appeared before him and blessed him. The battle started on the 'Saptami' and Ravana was finally killed on the 'Sandhikshan' i.e. the crossover period between Ashtami (the next day) and Navami (the day after). Ravana was cremated on Dashami. Since the period of this worship was different from the conventional period (during the spring - 'Basanta'), this puja is also known as 'Akal-Bodhan' or a worship (Bodhan) in an unconventional time (A-Kaal).

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Sarbojanin (Barowari) Durga Puja

Durga Puja is the most awaited festival of West Bengal, spanning over four days at a stretch. It is not possible for everyone in the community to organize it of their own. A Durga Puja is organized by a group of people in a locality thence being known as Sarbojanin Durga Puja.

Initially, Durga Puja was celebrated only in affluent and zamindar families of West Bengal. Then Barowari Puja came into existence. The word "Baroyari" is derived from "Baro" and "Yaar" ie. a group of twelve friends. Guptipara in Hoogly was the first place in Bengal where the idea of "Baroyari" or "Sarbojanin" puja was conceived in the year 1790. It took 120 yrs. for "Baroyari" Durga Puja to reach Calcutta. The first organiser of "Baroyari" Durga Puja in Calcutta was "Sanatan Dharmatsahini Sabha" of Behala, Shakher Bazar. The overwhelming enthusiasm and participation of common people increased the number of "Baroyari" Durga Puja through out the state.

With lapse of time, the Barowari Puja was renowned as Sarbojanin Durga Puja. The word Sarbojanin comprises of two words: “Sarbo” in Bengali (Sanskrit) meaning “for all” and “Jan” meaning “people”. So the word Sarbojanin means For All People. The Sarbojanin Puja understands no restrictions in respect of Colour, Creed, Caste or Class. The “Bhog” distributed after Puja is taken as a blessing of Goddess Durga with equality and compassion. 

During Durga Puja, entire streets of West Bengal are covered by Huge Structures called “Pandal”. It is a structure made of bamboos and cloth, used as a temporary enclave for the Goddess. Each Pandal has its own theme based on current affairs, historic events, work of fiction, work of Art or of any other innovative ideas. These Pujas are organized by committee which represents certain group of people or locality. The expense of the Puja is raised by collecting funds known as “Chandaa” through door-to-door visit, concert, advertisements etc. 

On the time of Puja, the Ritual drummers – “Dhakis” carrying large leather-strung Dhak – show off their skills during ritual dance worships called Aarati. The Puja is performed traditionally in these Pandals. Many idols in Pandals are bought from Kumartoli, were the artisans live situated in North Calcutta.

Sarbojanin Durgotsav, as we know it today, started off much later in Kolkata, in the 1920s, with Shimla Byayam Samiti and Bagbazar being the earliest.  In 1926, Atindranath Bose commenced ‘Sarbojanin’ Durga puja in which anybody, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, could participate in the festivities. This was organized to instill a feeling of unity and brotherhood. At present hundreds of Pujas are held in the city’s lanes and streets.

The puja in recent years are more focused on lighting and decoration. They spend Lakhs of money to make their Pandals an Award-winning one. The communities have different prizes for different categories such as Best Puja, Best Idol, Best Pandal, Best Lighting etc. 

This form of Puja is also flourished in other states and countries of the world.

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Traditional Family Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal since the Medieval Period, also known as the period of Mughal Empires. In 16^th Century the Durga Puja was held in the Court of Rajshahi, and in Nadia District in 18^th Century. However, in 18^th Century it became popular. 

The Zamindar families of the city are quietly carrying on with their traditions, some of which started hundreds of years ago. By mid of 18th Century, the national festival of the Bengalis became an occasion for the rich Babus of Kolkata to flaunt their wealth. It became a religious splurge among the Babu's of Bengal, to measure the supremacy of one over the other. The first Durga Puja seems to have been celebrated by Bhabananda, the ancestor of Maharaja Krishnachandra of Nadia, in or about 1606. The family puja of the Sabarno Roychoudhuris of Barisha dates back to 1610 – the oldest in Calcutta, and conducted even today in a highly traditional style. The traditional household Durga Pujas gained prominence because of their deep and passionate devotion to Goddess Durga.

The puja at Shovabazar Rajbari, is among the oldest Pujas in the city, organised by Raja Nabakrishna Deb of the Sobhabazar of Calcutta in honor of Lord Clive in the year 1757. The puja was organized because Clive wished to pay thanks for his victory in the Battle of Plassey. He was unable to do so in a Church because the only church in Calcutta at that time was destroyed by Siraj-ud-Daulah.

Some of the other significant Pujas are the 250 yrs. old Durga Puja in Dhar family residence in Bikrampur of undivided Bengal still continues in Ashoknagar. The Bikrampur's Hasara village in Bangladesh in 1775 A.D. and still continues till date in their Bagbazar residence. An incident changed the heartless rituals of sacrifice in the Dhar family. Kashinath Dhar was the zamindar of Bikrampur then. He performed Durga Puja at his residence with full traditional rituals. Ashtami was the sacrifice day. It was during the time when human sacrifice was common and was considered the most important part of the Puja. It was on this day the 'Kharna' (weapon used to sacrifice) landed on the child's head, left the child unharmed. With repeated attempts the result remained the same. There was a commotion and when the news reached the zamindar, he fell unconscious. On regaining his consciousness he tearfully prayed the Goddess asking her the reason for the omen. Durga then appeared before him and asked him to stop sacrifices and told him she had placed her hand over the child's neck to protect it and has wiped her hand in a cloth, which is behind the idol. On hearing this, the zamindar rushed to the mandap and found the blood stained cloth. Henceforth, sacrifice was stopped in the Dhar family Puja. Durga Puja took a complete social turn when it started being organized by the common people.

The Ghosh family came to Pathuriaghata at the time of Warren Hastings. It is said that Warren Hastings and his wife visited the Ghosh family. Khelat Chandra Ghosh (1829-1878), grandson of Hasting’s banyan (clerk) Ramlochan Ghosh, shifted out of the old family house at 46 Pathuriaghata Street to a new house at 47 Pathuriaghata Street. The family made remarkable contribution in music and charity. The Family Durga Puja is celebrated still in a traditional way. Gobinda Ram Mitra's of Kumartuli started their Puja in 1800. Samir Dasgupta's household Durga Puja commenced in 1839, in Batajor village in Barishal in Bangaldesh. The tradition still continues till date in Srimani Para Lane residence in Baranagar. Sacchidananda Chatterjee continues with his 200 yr. old household Durga Puja at his residence in Brahma Samaj Road. Other Famliy Pujas like Krishnadeb of Sobhabazar, Mitra Family of Chorbagan, the Seal family of Chorbagan from 1856, Srimani family of Sukia street, traditional Durga Puja at Rani Rashmoni's residence and Kaliprasanna Singha's Family Puja.

All these Family Puja are still carried on in Traditional way. Some of the fragmented Families who are not united today, passed on the responsibility of Puja to their Munims to carry on with their family’s tradition.

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Housing/Apartment/Complex Durga Puja

Today in Kolkata people like to reside in Housing Complexes, Apartments or Enclaves. These Housing complexes consist of different blocks consisting of numerous flats. The housing complexes provide many amenities to their residents.

The Complexes in Kolkata organizes Durga Puja festival at large scale. The residents of all streams of religion and caste become united to put their common endeavor to make the Puja a big success. The Puja is organized by collecting funds from the residents of that particular Apartment.

The artists start with making of the Goddess Durga’s Pratima in the premises of the complexes, before a month to Puja.  The Pandal is made in the Campus of the Complex. The Puja is celebrated in a traditional way. 

On the days of Puja different events are held: Such as drawing competition for children, quiz competition, dance competition, Dhunuchi Naach and many other events. In many complexes on the days of “Ashtami”, Bhog is served for lunch. 

The Complex gets lightened up and the residents come to attend Puja in their fineries.  The Puja is celebrated with great pomp and show in all Housing Complexes of Kolkata.

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