The festival of Durga Puja, predominantly celebrated in Eastern Indian states during the last five days of Navratri (Shashthi to Navami, with Vijaya Dashami as the final day), is all about celebrating the power of goddess Durga and her nine forms. Each of these nine forms of Durga—Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayni, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri—all have varied powers, manifestations and are said to provide different boons when worshipped. In a way, the celebration of these nine forms of Durga is extremely inclusive, highlighting the power of a female deity who can present in the form of any woman and make a difference in your life when you give her the respect, dignity and worship she deserves.
And yet, for centuries, key parts of this inclusive celebration of womanhood through Maa Durga have been dominated by men. From making the idol to leading crowds to worship her as priests, to carrying the idol down to the water body for immersion on the final day—everything is done by men. But not anymore! Women across India are taking the lead in celebrating Durga Puja during 2021, taking over roles that have been traditionally played by men. Here’s everything you need to know.
Four women break into a male-dominated field
The Durga Puja at Kolkata’s 66 Pally will be led by four women priests this year: Nandini Bhowmick and her companions, Ruma, Semanti, and Paulami. The 66 Pally puja is one of the city’s most popular ones, but this year, they’re clearly going to make more of a mark. “Maa Durga will be invoked by mothers”, the puja committee’s message is ringing out loud and clear. Click here to know more about this Durga Puja.
Women-run Mumbai puja, batting for the girl child
Mumbai’s only women-run Durga Puja, the Ananda Utsav Cultural Association in Oshiwara, Andheri West, is gearing up for a very special puja this year. Gargi Chattopadhyay, the president of the puja committee has revealed that not only will this year’s celebrations be physical, digital and inclusive, but it will also highlight the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11). The committee has partnered with an NGO to facilitate donations for girls’ education and wellbeing, and will also feature special free stalls for women entrepreneurs to represent their wares.
Winning hearts from a small town in Bengal
In 2013, five women from a neighbourhood in Tamluk, a small town in Bengal’s East Midnapore district, strove together to start the first women-run Durga Puja, Hridjaya. Their clarion call was answered by more women in the town, and now, Hridjaya remains the only women-run Durga Puja there. Their puja has always been simple, but this year, the women leading this puja have reserved their budget for music and entertainment for charity instead of the celebration. They will be donating this amount for the relief of those hit by recent monsoon floods in the region. These women are sending a clear message out there: We might not have much, but what we do can be shared with those in pain.
Kolkata police for women cops
Crowd control is never easy, and if you’re a woman cop, a lot can come your way during the hectic days of Durga Puja, especially in a city like Kolkata. Keeping this in mind, Kolkata Police is procuring around 32 mobile vans equipped with bio-toilets, changing rooms and kitchens to support women cops on their force. They are also in the process of procuring 18 mobile toilets, 10 changing vans and four food kitchens. “Cops, especially women, face problems due to the lack of usable toilets in the city. Changing dress is also difficult for them. So, we are providing them with clean facilities, which are needed in COVID times,” an officer told TOI.
A woman artist sculpting Durga
Another Durga Puja in Mumbai is all set to make history by employing a woman idol maker, China Pal, to make the idol of Durga and her children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartik. The Powai Bengali Welfare Association’s committee is hoping to spread hope, positivity and inclusivity through this action. Pal, who started making idols at the age of 22 and has created Durga Puja and other idols over the years, has overcome many obstacles to make it in this male-dominated field of idol making. Today, she works with a team of artists to create idols that are supplied across India.