Festivals in kolkata |
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Festivals are an intrinsic part of the city - more a socio-cultural phenomenon than a religious one. Besides these, Calcutta is also home to a variety of fairs, film fests, music conferences and folk fairs. It's also home to a cosmopolitan crowd - Marwaris, Parsis, Anglo Indians, Jews, a smattering of Armenians and the merry people of China Town all call Kolkata their city of joy.
New Year's Day Although most communities follow their own calendar, the first day of the Christian year is celebrated by all. Buses are garlanded and the city is in a festive mood, with decorations from Christmas past still very much in evidence. On New Year's Eve, parties are organised in clubs, hotels, restaurants and private homes. The city is illuminated and people go to bed late. Those who manage will go to the races the next day in the afternoon; a hangover 'must' in Calcutta.
Makar Sankranti festival in mid-January marks the winter solstice. Over 500,000 pilgrims gather on Sagar Dwip, an island some 150 km south of Calcutta, for the three-day Ganga Sagar Mela. The city in the second week of January is full of pilgrims on the way to the mela, sleeping in make-shift tents erected in Maidan. The festival lasts from 12th to 14th of the month. On the day the Ganga Sagar Mela ends, the Baul Mela begins. Hindu Vaishnab and Sufi Muslim Bauls from all over Bengal as well as from Bangladesh gather at Bolpur, 150 km west of Calcutta to sing devotional songs.
Ganga Sagar Mela is celebrated at Sagar which is about 105km south of Calcutta where the river Hugli joins the sea. Vast numbers of Hindu pilgrims bathe in the holy water.
Laxmi Pooja : Lakshmi puja festival falls in the month of October, about 5 days after Mahadashami. Laxmi Puja of Kolkata India is an important occasion, in which prayers are offered to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, peace and prosperity. The puja of Ma Laxmi gives an opportunity to people to invite the Goddess of luck and prosperity to their homes. One or two days before the celebration of the festivity of Laxmi puja, the local markets of Kolkata are beautifully decorated. The shops get flooded with the idols of Laxmi seated on a lotus.
Saraswati puja : Saraswati puja is one big occasion in Kolkata that takes place during the period between late January and early February. In fact, the day when puja of Ma Saraswati is done is declared as a state holiday. Calcutta Saraswati puja festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. It is on this day that the youngest female of the family is asked to dress up in yellow clothing. Sarswati puja of Kolkata India is dedicated to the goddess of learning.
Kali Puja : Kali Puja festival is another important occasion that takes place two weeks after the celebration of Laxmi puja. Kali puja is performed in the honor of Kali, the Goddess of destruction. People worship Goddess Kali with the belief that she will protect them from evils. Also, she symbolizes strength. Puja of Ma Kali is conducted at midnight on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartik. Kali Puja of Kolkata India usually coincides with Diwali. It is celebrated with splendid grandeur. People light candles, burst crackers, dress up in good clothes and offer prayers to mother Goddess Kali.
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