Why Do We Celebrate Durga Puja? (For Kids)

The story

Long ago a buffalo-demon called Mahishasura was given a boon that no man or god could defeat him. He grew proud and troubled everyone. So the gods brought their powers together, and from that light came Ma Durga — riding a lion, with ten arms, each holding a gift from a god. After a great battle she defeated Mahishasura. Durga Puja celebrates good winning over bad.

Durga comes home

In Bengal people also say Durga is a daughter visiting her parents' home with her children — Ganesha, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati. That's why they are all in the pandal with her!

Spot these in the pandal

• The lion — Durga's vehicle
• Mahishasura at her feet
• Ganesha's mouse, Kartik's peacock, Lakshmi's owl and Saraswati's swan
• The dhaak drums and the dhunuchi dance with smoking clay pots

The five days

Shashthi (Durga arrives), Saptami, Ashtami (the biggest day, with flower offerings — pushpanjali), Navami and Dashami, when everyone says goodbye and the idol is immersed. People say "Asche bochor abar hobe" — "it will happen again next year!"

Meet Durga's family

• Ganesha — the elephant-headed god who removes obstacles, with his mouse
• Kartik — the brave warrior god, riding a peacock
• Lakshmi — the goddess of wealth and good fortune, with her owl
• Saraswati — the goddess of learning and music, with her swan

Ask children to find each one and their animal in the pandal — it makes a great game.

What do the ten arms mean?

Each god gave Durga a gift: a trident from Shiva, a discus from Vishnu, a conch from Varuna, a thunderbolt from Indra, a bow and arrows, a sword and more. Children can count the weapons and guess who gave which. The message: when we bring our strengths together, we can face any problem.

Things to do at the pandal

• Join the pushpanjali — offering flowers to the goddess with everyone on Ashtami morning
• Watch the dhunuchi dance with clay pots of smoking coconut husk
• Listen to the dhaak drums and try to clap the rhythm
• Eat the bhog — khichuri, labra and sweets — sitting together

Saying goodbye

On the last day (Dashami), married women play sindoor khela and the idol is taken for immersion. Children often feel sad — explain that, just like a daughter visiting home, Durga goes back to Shiva and will return next year. That is why people shout “Asche bochor abar hobe!”