Hindu Festivals

Durga Puja:
Durga Puja is the most important religious festival of Bengali Hindus, celebrates the return of the goddess to her natal home. The goddess Durga is usually depicted with ten hands, though she may also be represented with four, eight, sixteen, eighteen or twenty hands. On the occasion of Durga Puja, images of the goddess are made of straw and clay. The images are then painted, either light golden, bright gold or red. Though the festival has duration of ten days, the last five days are observed in the most colorful way. The festival ends with immerse of Durga in the river in the locality.

Laxmi Puja:
Laxmi Puja is the second largest religious festival of Hindus, celebrating Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. She is depicted variously, with two or four arms. Seated on a lotus, she holds a lotus in her hand. Laksmi Puja is held on the full moon following Durga Puja. It is believed that on this night, the goddess visits houses to distribute blessings, rewarding those who keep awake the whole night worshipping her. This worship is called Kojagari Purnima or Kojagari Laksmi Puja because the devotees stay awake all night. On the occasion of Laksmi Puja, Alpana or floral designs are drawn with rice paste on floors and courtyards of houses, especially along the path from the door to the altar of the goddess and the cowshed

Kali Puja:
Kali Puja is one of the major Hindu religious festivals. Kali is regarded as the goddess of power. Kali is a non-Aryan goddess. While most deities are worshipped during the day, Kali puja takes place at night. It is believed that this night worship originated in the secret rites of aboriginals. Usually he-goats, sheep or buffaloes are sacrificed during Kali puja. According to popular belief dacoits sacrifice human beings during Kali puja.

Jonmashtomi:
Birth anniversary of God Krishno is observed in the label of Jonmashtomi. Devotees fast for 24 hours on this very day and then take foods. This is done to show the maximum respect to God Krishno.

Chadak Puja:
Chadak Puja is a Hindu religious ceremony, observed on the last day of the Bangla month of Chaitra. It is also known as Nil Puja. Physical pain is an important part of the religious rites. A 'Chadak Tree' is built on the occasion, consisting of a long pole atop which a wheel is fixed. An ascetic devotee is hung from this wheel with a hook. The wheel then spins around with him at high speed. Small nails, at times red hot ones, pierce all parts of his body including his tongue.

Mukhe Bhat:
Literally it means to feed children rice for the first time. This is also a customary festival of the Hindu religion. The maternal uncle feeds the children rice for the first time and on the occasion uncle gifts something to the children. This is usually observed when the baby grows teeth for the first time.

Swarashati Puja:
According to the Hindu mythology Swarashati is the Goddess of education.

Onnokut:
This festival is observed by offering foods to Krishno, one of the Gods of the Hindu religion. The main attraction of this festival is preparing as much food as possible in the home. Everyone participates in the festival according to their abilities.

Bhai Fota:
This is more a traditional or customary festival rather than religious festival. Sisters put a sign in the forehead of their brothers with Shidur. At the same time, brothers give some gifts to the sisters.