Durga Puja 2024: Durga Puja is one of the most vibrant and revered festivals in India, as it celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura by marking the victory of good over evil. This is a nine-day festival of worship and celebrations where intricately designed idols of Goddess Durga reside in pandals.
The main highlights of this festival are worship, Garba, Kanya Pujan, and Jagrata, which are highlighted with cultural performances and feasts from community members. During this festival, cities in South India are alive with a myriad of rituals and customs.
Here's a list of places you need to go to witness the joy and spirituality of Durga Puja in South India:
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Mysore, Karnataka:
Mysore’s Dussehra celebration is an unmissable event that offers a unique experience filled with cultural programs, military parades, and sports competitions. The opulent Mysore Palace is lit up and the royalty graces the occasion with a special Durbar. The city shows off its vibrant spirit, which always makes the event memorable.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu:
The city of Chennai celebrates Durga Puja in all the grandeur it can offer, and among the most prominent of the pandals is the one at the Bengali Association, Besant Nagar. Beautifully done pandal, attracts devotees and visitors alike. The festive atmosphere in the city is marked by artistic decorations, cultural performances, and a rich bhog offering, making it a must-visit for Durga Puja enthusiasts.
Hyderabad:
Hyderabad has an impressive Durga Puja celebration with the numerous pandals scattered around the city. Some of the popular pandals include Hyderabad Bengali Samity at Domalguda, the place where the full force of the festival culture and rituals are found. Idols have very minute and precise craftsmanship, traditional rituals, and distribution of bhog attract thousands of people.
Bengaluru, Karnataka:
Bengaluru offers a delightful experience during Durga Puja, with various pandals adding to the festive charm. The Socio-Cultural Association Durga Pandal in Indiranagar stands out for its grandeur and devotion. The city is adorned with lights and decorations, and cultural events are held throughout the festival, making Bengaluru a vibrant destination for Puja celebrations.
Andhra Pradesh:
Durga Puja is celebrated as Bathukamma Panduga in Andhra Pradesh. The festival gives a great flavour of tradition. Women together gather flower stacks in dedication to Goddess Gauri, which are later immersed into rivers. The festival’s unique rituals and the community’s involvement in creating colorful floral arrangements make it a distinctive celebration, deeply rooted in Andhra’s cultural practices.