• Who is this Devi?
  Durga is the superpower who was created through the assembling of all the good things of the all the other Gods. She is unbeatable and dangerous, yet caring. She is believed to be the mother of the universe.
• Why are other idols found in the Bengalee iconography of Durga and who are they?
  In Bengal, the superpower form of the Goddess has been merged into the household Uma, the daughter who comes to her visit her parents once in a year. Therefore, to add flavour to this idea, four other Gods & Goddesses have been added to the iconography depicting her four children. They are Laxmi, Ganesh, Kartick and Saraswati. Please note that these four deities are also worshipped separately in different peiods of the year also.
• Who is Laxmi?
  Laxmi is the eldest daughter of Durga and Shiva, her husband. She is married to Narayana, another 'Super-God'. She is the goddess of wealth and fortune. She rides an owl.
• Who is Saraswati?
  Saraswati is the younger daughter of Durga. She is yet to get married and she is the Goddess of Knowledge, music and dance. She rides a swan.
• Who is Kartick?
  Kartick is the eldest son of Durga. He is the God of warfare and beauty. His 'vahana' or carrier is a peacock.
• Who is Ganesh?
  Ganesh is the youngest child of Durga. He is believed to the fastest writer in this world and is worshipped as the starter of anything. Even before the worship of Durga starts, Ganesh is worshipped first, to ensure that he lets the Puja get going. Regarding his face which is that of a white elephant, the story goes that 'Shani', who is the brother of Durga, was a God whose eyes are sufficient to behead one in just the first look. On Ganesh being born, Shani was so happy that he forgot about this and went to see Ganesh. Invariably, Ganesh was beheaded. Shani, on realising what he have done, consulted Narayana immediately and it was Narayana who told him to go in a specific direction and bring the head of the first thing he meets on his way, which will be remade into Ganesh's body. Shani found a white elephant on his way and brought the head of it to Narayana, who in turn, fitted that head into Ganesh. On being told by Durga that what will happen if people donot worship this elephant headed funny looking God, Narayan gave Ganesh the boon that Ganesh will be worshipped before starting anything, including the worship of other Gods. Ganesh rides a mouse.
• Why there are ten arms of Durga?
  While killing Mahishasura, two hands were not sufficient to fight that fiercy demon. Therefore Shiva blessed her with those extra eight limbs.
• How is Durga Puja celebrated in Calcutta?
  Click here to know about it.
• Is this puja celebrated in Bengal only?
  No. Durgapuja is celebrated all over the World.

Homepage of Durga Puja Stuttgart