ceremony

ceremony

Two Delhi based Bengali girls share their connection with Durga Puja celebrations. They say "Every day in the morning different clothes and in the evening different clothes. So we have two sets of clothes for every day.

ceremony

Every year, some 1,500 km from Kolkata, a replica comes up of Kumartuli (the hub in the eastern metropolis where Durga idols are made) and artisans and craftsmen are flown in from West Bengal to create the idols for Durga Puja — the most an…

ceremony

Every year, some 1,500 km from Kolkata, a replica comes up of Kumartuli (the hub in the eastern metropolis where Durga idols are made) and artisans and craftsmen are flown in from West Bengal to create the idols for Durga Puja — the most an…

ceremony · festival

A Bengali painter paints an idol of Goddess Durga. He paints her eyes. He draws eyeballs with his brush and paints them. Paintings of Goddess Durga in different forms of her. A painting of a woman with the third eye.

ceremony

Every year, some 1,500 km from Kolkata, a replica comes up of Kumartuli (the hub in the eastern metropolis where Durga idols are made) and artisans and craftsmen are flown in from West Bengal to create the idols for Durga Puja — the most an…

ceremony

Every year, some 1,500 km from Kolkata, a replica comes up of Kumartuli (the hub in the eastern metropolis where Durga idols are made) and artisans and craftsmen are flown in from West Bengal to create the idols for Durga Puja — the most an…

ceremony · dance

Indian women dance to the beats of Dhak after the Sindoor Khela ritual on the last day of Durga puja known as Vijaya Dashmi.

festival · dance

Devotees dance on trucks during Durga immersion procession on the last day of Durga Puja called Vijaya Dashmi.

dance · ceremony

Dhunachi is a Bengali incense burner used for one of the stages during aarti or ritualized dance worship.

ceremony

During four-five days of Durga Puja, devotees of Goddess Durga offer her with variety of bhog, prasad and puja offerings till the time she departs for heaven. The bhog consists of scrumptious home-made Bengali cuisine.

ceremony

During four-five days of Durga Puja, devotees of Goddess Durga offer her with variety of bhog, prasad and puja offerings till the time she departs for heaven. The bhog consists of scrumptious home-made Bengali cuisine.

ceremony · river

This is a cute and unique ritual not to be missed on the 8th day ‘Maha Ashtami’. Girls aged 7 to 9 are dressed as Goddesses and worshipped. These girls are seen as pure and thus, are ideal for the manifestations of the Divine Mother.

ceremony · festival

A mother-son duo answer few questions on Durga Puja They say "Significance is very strong because it's one of the only female-oriented Durga Puja because we idolise Durga Maa.

ceremony

A Shankha is a conch shell of ritual and religious importance in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is the shell of a large predatory sea snail, Turbinella pyrum, found in the Indian Ocean.

ceremony

A Shankha is a conch shell of ritual and religious importance in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is the shell of a large predatory sea snail, Turbinella pyrum, found in the Indian Ocean.

music · ceremony

Dhakis are the people who have the talent to play this huge drum-like instrument called Dhak. They have been playing this traditional instrument for generations.

ceremony · festival

Durga Puja is a celebration of divine feminine power and victory over the evil demon ‘Mahishasura’ who was blessed not to be defeated by any man or God.

West Bengal·ceremony

Kumortoli with Durga Puja idols being made in the Calcutta of the 1990's. Artists work with banana pith to create Durha Puja adornments. The white substance they are applying is the soft inside of the banana trunk.

ceremony · festival

Religion teaches mankind about humanity and love. In India every festival is an opportunity to spread love and happiness among all.

ceremony · festival

Durga Puja is an event of celebration and supplication for thousands of Hindus in India. The festival is celebrated as a commemoration of Durga's triumph over the demon Mahisasura in Hindu mythology.

ceremony

Quieter and more subdued celebrations were seen on Ashtami this year during the festival of Durga Puja.

ceremony · festival

A family is filmed while offering Surya Puja to the sun on the occasion of Durga Puja at Katwaria Sarai, Delhi. The women of the family are seen offering fruits, flowers and water to the sun as part of the ritual during Durga Puja.

ceremony · temple

The temple bells chime in conjunction with the conch shells blown by devotees during Durga puja at Katwaria Sarai in Delhi. The temple is abuzz with activities on this auspicious day to honour Durga and celebrate women.