Festivals in Kolkata
From ArticleWorld
Festivals in Kolkata are many in number due to the diverse cultures and backgrounds of people living in the city.
Religious Festivals
DURGA PUJA : It is a Hindu festival usually held in the first week of October. It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, of Goddess Durga and her lion killing the demon Mahishasura. It is held for five days during which people visit the various pandals and make merry. The state is on official holiday for four days. on the last day, called Vijaya Dashami, the idols of the Goddess and her four children are immersed in water. People visit relatives and friends and distribute sweets.
KALI PUJA : This is a traditional Bengali festival usually celebrated in the first week of November. Goddess Kali is worshipped at night and the city is lit up. It corresponds with the Hindu festival of Diwali.
SARASWATI PUJA : This is done to worship Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning. Books are worshipped by students.
DOL :This is the Bengali equivalent of Holi. It celebrates Lord Krishna and the onset of spring.
RATH YATRA : A chariot of Lord Jaganath is taken out in a long procession with mush fanfare by the ISKCON group.
EID : There are two eids, Eid-ul-Fitr or “the little feast” and Eid-ul-Adha or “the big feast” which celebrate the end of the month of fasting called Ramadan and the sacrifice of the son of Prophet Ibrahim in the name of Allah.
CHRISTMAS : The Anglo – Indian community celebrate Christmas in a big way in Kolkata with a beautiful service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Park Street and New Market areas are decorated for this festival.
Cultural Festivals
DOVER LANE MUSIC FESTIVAL : It is a prestigious festival promoting Hindustani Classical music where the world maestros and new talent share the same stage. It consists of 3 all – night recitals held during January 23 – 26 each year.
CALCUTTA BOOK FAIR : Also known as Kolkata Boi Mela, it is the largest non-traditional annual book fair on earth. It is held in the last week of January and continues for twelve days.
CALCUTTA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL : It is an annual event held between November 10 – 17. It is affiliated with the International Federation of Film Producers' Association (FIAPF) in Paris and was started in 1995.
NATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL : the biggest annual event in the field of Indian Theatre. It was first held in 1984 as a celebration of the silver jubilee of the Nadikar group, who are its organisers.
Others
BENGALI NEW YEAR : “Poila Boishakh” is celebrated on April 15 when people give friends and relatives gifts and sweets alongwith greetings. Numerous cultural programmes are organised throughout the city.
ENGLISH NEW YEAR : the night of 31st December is widely celebrated in Kolkata. Every hotel, terrace and open ground has its own party. Thousands also congreggate on Park Street and party all night long.