Picture
Caption: Indian festival food #food
Caption: Durga Puja is not just a religious festival for Bengalis, it's a celebration of color, love, and most importantly food. Without food the festival would never be complete. Months prior to the celebration Bengalis start shopping for clothes and jewelries to wear on the different days of Puja. Weeks prior we start building the ‘Pandals.’ A pandal is a temporary fabricated structure for worship. News magazines publish “Puja” specials and people eagerly wait to read them.
Caption: These are five major days of Durga Puja.
Caption: Mahashashti: The sixth day of Devi Paksha is Sasthi. Formally Durga puja starts on this day. We consecrate Ma Durga's idol and start our puja by inviting her. We also sanctify the pandal where goddess resides for four days. We unveil the face of gods. We believe that Goddess Durga comes from her husband's home to the earth with her four kids.
Shashti Food: Shrimp Malaikari and Saffron Pilaf
Picture
Caption: Mahasaptami: The seventh day of Devi Paksha is Saptami. Goddess is invoked in a group of nine plants known as "Navapatrika". Nine plants represent nine forms of Ma Durga. Nine leaves from nine trees are tied together and then bathed in the holy Ganges. Puran says Durga starts her battle against evil Mahisashur from this very day.
Saptami foods: Street Foods
Picture
Caption: Potato fritters
Picture
Caption: Kati Roll: veg and non veg
Picture
Caption: Potato chaat
Picture
Caption: Fish fry
Picture
Caption: Spicy puffed rice : jhal muri
Picture
Caption: Pakodas
Caption: Ashtami: The eighth day of Devi Paksha is Ashtami. It's believed that Durga comes alive as life is breathed into the clay idol. Fasting followed by offering fresh flowers to God (known as Pushpanjali) is a common Ashtami morning ritual. We also worship little girls(the ones who did not hit puberty yet) as a representation of Devi Durga. Nine forms of Ma Durga is worshipped on this very day. In the evening, "Aarati" is performed with fire. Also, during the night "Sandhi Puja" is performed interlinking Ashtami and Navami.
Ashtami Food: Bulgur Khichdi and Butternut squash with coconut and peanuts, Fried Acorn Squash, and Potato Fries
Picture
Caption: Navami: The ninth day of Devi Paksha is Navami. The day onsets with the Sandhi Puja. A lot of recreational programs happen on that very day. Maha-Arti is also performed during Navami.
Navami food: Biryani
Picture
Caption: Bijoya Dasami: Last day of Durga Puja is Dasami, and a tearful farewell is offered to the mother. We always hope Goddess will come back again the next year and immerse the idol in the holy Ganges. It's believed that ma returns to his husband Lord Shiva's home so married Bengali females offer her sweets before she leaves. Married women also exchange vermillion each other and wish long life of their husbands.Vijayadashami is from the Sanskrit words "Vijaya-dashami" which means the victory on the Dashami or the tenth day. Sharing of sweets and hugs are very common during and after this day. Young ones touch elders' feet to get blessing. .
Caption: Until today, many relatives come our home with a bag of sweets and Ma serves them her homemade desserts and a bowl of yellow pea soup.
Picture
Caption: Ghugni: Yellow pea soup
Picture
Caption: Siddho pithe: Sweet coconut dumplings
Picture
Caption: Payesh: rice pudding
Picture
Caption: Jaggery sondesh
Picture
Caption: Bhapa sondesh: steamed cheese fudge
Picture
Caption: Chocolate sondesh: cheese balls
Picture
Caption: Mishti Doi: Sweet yogurt
Picture
Caption: Patisapta: Sweet stuffed crepes
Picture
Caption: Rasmalai: cheese balls in milk syrup
Picture
Caption: Rasgulla: cheese balls in sugar syrup
Picture
Caption: Find all recipes and details at
www.storyofcooks.com