Common Myths about Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a time for grand celebration where people from all walks of life gather together to indulge in the festivities. While it’s a UNESCO World Heritage recognised festival and a huge amount of money is spent on it, there are certain myths that exist about Durga Puja.

Some common myths about Durga Puja include the following:

Durga Puja is only meant to be celebrated by Hindus or religious people.

Durga Puja is a festival for everyone, welcoming people of all religions, castes, and backgrounds to participate in community traditions, wear festive clothing, enjoy celebrations, savor delicious food and communal meals like bhog, visit pandals to admire the remarkable artistry of dedicated artisans, and experience the festive atmosphere.

Durga Puja is a period of strict fasting.

Durga Puja is not a period of strict fasting, though Navratri does include fasting for some people. Durga Puja is marked by grand meals shared together, celebrating the festival’s grandeur, and enjoying bhog and other delicacies, such as sweets.

Durga Puja only celebrates the defeat of Mahishashura by Goddess Durga.

Durga Puja celebrates more than the triumph of good over evil; it also honors intricate artistry, creativity, community spirit, and cultural heritage. The festival highlights artisans’ dedication as they create innovative pandal themes that engage visitors and attract media attention.

Durga Puja is a time of wasteful expenditure.

Durga Puja is not considered wasteful spending. It is viewed as an auspicious period to buy gold or property and symbolizes prosperity and renewal. The festival also provides essential income for small business owners, artisans, and Dhakis and generates significant employment. It celebrates local enterprise and community participation.

It’s necessary to spend lavishly during Durga Puja.

Durga Puja does not necessitate us to spend lavishly each and every day of the festival. Sometimes it’s just about simple family gatherings, rituals, puja, quality time with friends, relatives, having favourite food dishes, or bhog and worshipping the Goddess.

Durga Puja is a traditional festival.

Durga Puja is not a very traditional festival to its core, in the sense that it does not strictly adhere to outmoded traditional customs. It embraces modern or new age trends, themes, and initiatives, which is reflected in the variety of pandal themes, starting from AI-driven, eco-conscious themes to depiction of the modern state of human beings being enslaved by technology and more thought-provoking themes that demand empathy, compassion, and realistic action.

Durga Puja is also a festival to indulge in cultural performances, folk dance, songs, and celebrate all forms of art.

These are some myths surrounding Durga Puja. Do you know anymore ?!.