pinterest pin Complete Guide to Durga Puja in Holland

What is Durga Puja?

Durga Puja, also known by the names Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a major annual ten-day Hindu festival that is celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, and the nation of Bangladesh during the month of Ashwin on the Indian calendar (which falls between September and October on the Gregorian calendar), to commemorate the victory of the Hindu Goddess Durga (who is regarded as ‘Adi Shakti,’ the primordial cosmic energy) against the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura after a ten-day war. During the same time, in other northern and western states in India, Goddess Durga is revered by celebrating Navratri, a nine-night festival of worshipping nine different forms of the divine feminine (Shakti).

Both private residences and public venues hold the Durga Puja, with the latter including ornately decorated gigantic bamboo pavilions (known as pandals) within which the statues of the Goddess riding her lion and slaying the demon king Mahishasura are displayed. Additionally, scripture recitals, live performances, gift-giving, family get-togethers, feasting, and public processions are all part of the festival. In 2021, Kolkata's Durga Puja was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

How is Durga Puja Celebrated in Kolkata?

Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta), where I hail from, is the capital of the state of West Bengal situated in eastern India along the river Hooghly (eastern distributary of the river Ganges) and is frequently referred to as India's cultural capital. This city has a distinctive personality due to the influence of British Architecture (it was the first capital of the British East India Company from 1772 to 1911 when it was shifted to Delhi), rich traditions, beautiful music, and art. People in Kolkata have a special love for literature and films because it was once home to world-famous artists like the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore and Academy Award-winning director Satyajit Ray among others. The city also offers an exceptional religious and cultural experience of Durga Puja every year. Even more alluring than the festival itself are the preparations preceding it. From a month before the event, the entire city begins to get dressed up in costumes with a hint of anticipation. During Durga Puja, the entire city is bathed in the vibrant hues of the festival that comprises artistic pandal vistas, majestic idols of the Goddess Durga, people dancing to the rhythm of the ‘dhaak’ (drum), evenings filled with the divine sounds of the Goddess' ‘Aarti,’ delectable ‘bhog’ (food offered to Goddess that is later distributed among devotees), vibrant fireworks, and tantalizing food delights at various food stands set up in every nook and cranny of the city!

Months prior to Durga Puja, young members of the community raise money and donations, work with priests and artisans, purchase votive items, and assist in the construction of pandals that are based on a current socio-political trend. Some of these themes have been metaphorical, such as the celebration of ‘maati’ (literally, soil or ash) or "finding one's own light." Others have been more concrete, such as sex work, the celebration of humanity, the marginalization of queer and transgender people, folk culture, the celebration of cinema, womanhood, and pro-environment themes. Some pandals have been replicated on existing temples, buildings, and international monuments while others have been crafted using day-to-day materials and recycled products like metal scraps, nails, and turmeric, among others.

For Bengalis, the first day and the final five days of the ten-day Durga Puja festival are the most important. Mahalaya, the first day of Durga Puja, marks the arrival of the Goddess. On Sasthi, the sixth day, the Goddess is invoked, and the celebrations and worship get underway. The Goddess is adored in her ten different forms known as Dasa Mahavidya, a group of ten aspects of Shakti or Devi in Hinduism namely Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, Chhinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala, during the course of the next three days. On Vijayadashami, also known as the ‘Tenth Day of Victory’ (the day Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura) the sacred idols are taken in large processions to nearby rivers where they are immersed (Visarjan) amid loud chants and drumbeats. This tradition represents the deity's departure for her house and husband Lord Shiva, in the Kailasa Mountain on the Himalayas.

Mythological Stories behind Celebrating Durga Puja

Story 1: The Birth of Goddess Durga and Killing of Mahishasura (Mahishasura-Mardini)

According to Hindu mythology, once upon a time, there was a vicious Asura (demon) named Rambhasur. He wanted to marry a lady buffalo after falling in love with her. They soon became parents to a son Mahishasura, which translates to "son of a buffalo." Mahishasura possessed extraordinary abilities from birth. He could change his physical form at will. He quickly ascended to the position of king of the demons and desired immortality. He started a protracted penance with the intention of pleasing Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. Standing on one foot beneath a tree, he stopped eating and started to pray to Brahma. Due to the effectiveness of his penance, Mahishasura got stronger and stronger over the course of several years. His penance's influence soon spread to all three worlds. Even the creator Brahma was aware of it, therefore he chose to bestow a boon as a reward. Excited by the chance, Mahishasura prayed to Brahma for a blessing that would save him from being killed by either a man or a God. He was sure that no lady would be strong enough to slay him because he was such a huge monster. As soon as Lord Brahma granted him the boon, Mahishasura and his army of Asuras attacked earth. He killed and looted without being caught. He soon decided to conquer heaven, believing he could rule over all three realms while enraged with power. The conflict between the Devas (Gods) and the Asuras was fierce. Lord Indra's (King of the Devas) army was finally defeated by Mashishasura in Amravati, the capital city of Swarga (heaven), the realm of Indra. Embarrassed, the Devas gathered with the Tridevas (the Holy Trinity in the Hindu Pantheon namely Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the maintainer), and Lord Shiva (the destroyer)), in an effort to resolve the situation.

As soon as Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva heard of the demons' wrongdoings, pure energy erupted from their bodies that spread outward in all directions, blazing forth like a mountain peak aflame with sunlight, and illuminating the three worlds. The energy from the other Gods joined this blaze that eventually became concentrated in one place and took the form of the Goddess. Her face was illuminated by Lord Shiva's radiance. She received her ten arms from Lord Vishnu and her feet from Lord Brahma. Her tresses were formed from the light of Yama Raja (the God of death), her breasts from the light of Chandra Deva (the Moon God), her waist from the light of Lord Indra, her thighs from the light of Lord Varuna (Water God), her hips from the light of Bhoodevi (Earth Goddess), her toes from the light of Surya Deva (Sun God), her fingers from the light of the Vasus (children of Goddess River Ganges), her nose from the light of Lord Kuber (treasurer of the Gods), her teeth from the light of Prajapati (Lord of Creatures), her eyes from the light of Agni Deva (Fire God), her eyebrows from the lights of the two Sandhyas (sunrise and sunset), and her ears from the light of Vayu Deva (Air God). Thus by fusing the abilities of every God, was created the Great Mother of the Universe, Goddess Durga, also known as ‘Mahamaya,’ who is responsible for the universe's creation, preservation, and elimination of evil forces. With the consent of the Gods, Goddess Durga ascended the lion that the Mountain King Himalaya had given her and set off to kill Mahishasura.

Initially, Mahishasura laughed at the idea of combating a woman when Goddess Durga approached Amravati. Mahishasura, however, came to understand that the tremendous energies represented in the Goddess were insurmountable as the battle waged. The Asura continuously changed forms during the ten days of combat to disorient the Goddess, yet she never missed her target. Durga promptly decapitated the Asura as soon as he returned to his original form as a buffalo, releasing heaven and earth from the tyrant. As a result, Durga earned the name Mahishasura Mardini (The Killer of Mahishasura). The Goddess’s idols worshipped during the Durga Puja have an exact recreation of the final scene.

Story 2: Lord Rama’s Untimely Invocation of Goddess Durga (Akaal Bodhan)

During Treta-Yuga, Lord Rama was born on earth as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who had Sita as his wife and Lakshman as his brother. When a ten-headed demon named Ravana abducted Sita, Lord Rama went to his Kingdom of Lanka (currently Sri Lanka) to rescue her. Since Ravana was reputed to possess tenacious powers and a boon of invincibility, it became vital for Lord Rama to obtain the strength and capability to engage in combat and vanquish Ravana. So, before going to war with Ravana, Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga (Adi Shakti) in the autumn (which is known as ‘Akaal Bodhan’ on ‘Untimely invocation’ since until that point in time Goddess Durga was worshipped during spring) to obtain her blessings, according to the 15th-century Bengali manuscript of Ramayana by Krittivasa.

But it was crucial to comply with the ritual requirements in order to offer prayers to the Goddess. The sacrifices consisted of 108 ‘Neel Kamals’ (blue lotuses), which were uncommon but were required to finish the rites and persuade the Goddess. Lord Rama gathered the 108 lotuses after exploring the lakes and woodlands. However, when he was about to offer them to the Goddess, he could only find 107 blue lotuses since Goddess Durga herself had hidden one. Lord Rama thereupon made the decision to donate one of his eyes, which was often compared to the beauty of a lotus (known as ‘Padma Lochan’ or ‘Lotus-like eyes’). Just as he was about to sacrifice his eye, Goddess Durga appeared, telling him that she had just hidden the flower to verify his devotion and was happy with it. Lord Rama accepted her blessing and went on to defeat Ravana.

From then on, the tradition of worshipping Goddess Durga during autumn started. Interestingly, the celebration of Dasara or Dussehra commemorating Lord Rama's victory over Ravana (by burning gigantic Ravana effigies) is held on Vijaya Dashami, the same day as the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura.

Story 3: Goddess Durga’s Yearly Homecoming

In Bengali and Odia traditions, Goddess Durga, the wife of Lord Shiva arrives on her lion with her four cherished children Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth and prosperity), Saraswati (the Goddess of knowledge and music), Ganesha (the Elephant-headed God of good beginnings), and Kartikeya (the God of war) at her natal home every year on the first day (Mahalaya), stays for nine days and leaves on the tenth day (Dashami). Those are the days when Durga Puja is celebrated.

The Durga Pujas in the Netherlands in 2023

Goddess Durga arrived in the Netherlands in the year 2010, holding the hands of the Kallol, the oldest Bengali community in the Netherlands, and over the last few years, pervaded the hearts and souls of all beings on this land and expanded herself to twelve different locations. In the Netherlands, Durga Puja is not held within pandals but in public venues like concert halls or stadiums which are rented by the Bengali communities during the festive days. Below, are listed all the 12 Durga Pujas happening in the Netherlands in 2023, in the order of their founding.

This map was created with Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

1. Kallol’s Durga Puja (Den Haag)

Literally meaning ‘Waves of Sea,’ or ‘Shouts of Joy,’ Kallol is the oldest non-profit Bengali cultural organization in the Netherlands founded in 2010, that thrives on promoting and upholding the deeply ingrained Bengali traditions and cultural heritage. Every year, they organize several social and cultural events, the most important of which is the Durga Puja which is also the oldest Durga Puja celebration in the Netherlands (from 2010), though the original idol has been changed to a new one now. Over the years, Kallol has hosted their Durga Puja in several locations across the province of Zuid-Holland (South Holland) namely Voorschoten, Rijswijk, and this year they are celebrating Durga Puja in Den Haag.

Location of Kallol’s Durga Puja 2023

DiamantTheater, Diamanthorst 183, 2592 GD, Den Haag

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Sunday, October 22, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free in the mornings. You need to buy tickets if you wish to attend the cultural evenings and/or taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Kallol.

Facebook Page/Website

For the latest news and updates, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/kallol.Netherlands. To buy tickets, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their website kallol.nl

netherlands holland bengali community durga puja anandadhara bonghoven hoichoi kallol roy family at amstelveen eindhoven rijswijk lelystad

Kallol’s current Goddess Durga idol

Kallol’s old Goddess Durga idol

2. Hoichoi’s Durga Puja (Amstelveen)

Literally meaning ‘Hullabaloo,’ Hoichoi is a non-profit organization started in 2015, with a vision to celebrate "Bangaliana" with camaraderie in this faraway land. Every year, they celebrate several Indian (mostly Bengali) events, the most important of which is the Durga Puja that they started in 2017, alongside supporting several social causes.

Location of Hoichoi’s Durga Puja 2023

Diamant Party Centrum, Touwslagerij 9, 1185 ZP, Amstelveen

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free in the mornings. You need to buy tickets if you wish to attend the cultural evenings and/or taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Hoichoi.

Facebook Page/Website

For the latest news and updates, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/HollandHoichoi. To buy tickets, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their website hoichoi.nl

3. Anandadhara’s Durga Puja (Amstelveen)

Literally meaning ‘Stream of Joy,’ Anandadhara is a non-profit organization started in April 2017, with a vision to build a strong community of like-minded multi-cultural expats whose values are rooted in their origins and work arduously to support the society. Every year, they celebrate several Indian (mostly Bengali) events, the most important of which is the Durga Puja, alongside supporting several social causes.

Location of Anandadhara’s Durga Puja 2023

VRA Cricket Ground, Nieuwe Kalfjeslaan 21-B, 1182 AA, Amstelveen

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Anadadhara.

Facebook Page/Website

For the latest news and updates, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/Anandadhara. To register for food coupons, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their website anandadhara.nl

4. Bonghoven’s Eindhoven Sharad Utsav (Eindhoven)

Literally meaning ‘Courtyard of Bengalis,’ Bonghoven is a Bengali community of the people, by the people, and for the people of Eindhoven. Every year they celebrate various Bengali cultural events and festivities, the most important of which is the Durga Puja.

Location of Bonghoven’s Eindhoven Sharad Utsav 2023

Wijkcentrum Blixems, Ouverture 2, 5629 PV, Eindhoven

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Sunday, October 22, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Bonghoven.

Facebook Page/Website

For the latest news and updates, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/bonghoven.nl. To register for food coupons, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their website bonghoven.nl

5. Roy Barir Durga Puja (Lelystad)

The Durga Puja of the Roy Bari (Roy Family) was started by Rumki Roy and Pallab Roy in 2021. Apart from following authentic traditions and rituals, the Roy family hosts cultural events and serves delectable cuisines to their guests with warm hospitality.

Location of Roy Barir Durga Puja 2023

Birdielaan 65, 8241 BD, Lelystad

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Tickets

In Roy Family’s Durga Puja, there is no entrance fee and everyone is welcome to a homely ambiance. Visitors are typically given "Bhog Prasad" and freshly prepared meals. But since everything is arranged by the Roy Family and Friends, you need to register your visit to help them assess the right quantity of food to be prepared on each of the given dates.

Facebook Page

To get the latest news and updates, register your visit, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/netherlandsroybari

Roy Family - Rumki Roy and Pallab Roy

6. Utrecht Sarbojanin Utsav Committee’s Utrecht Sarbojanin Durgotsav (Utrecht)

Utrecht Sarbojanin Utsav Committee (USUC) is a Bengali Community founded in 2022 in Utrecht with the aim of celebrating and spreading awareness of the vibrant Indian culture and heritage among both the Indian diaspora and international people living in the Netherlands. They plan to organize their first Durga Puja in 2023. The event will be held in a stunningly designed space that houses one of the largest Durga idols in continental Europe. The occasion will feature a wide range of cultural performances from diverse ethnicities.

Location of Utrecht Sarbojanin Utsav Committee’s Utrecht Sarbojanin Durgotsav 2023

Steenovenweg 5, 3532 AE, Utrecht

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Utrecht Sarbojanin Utsav Committee.

Facebook Page/Website

For the latest news and updates, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/UtrechtSarbojaninUtsavCommittee. To register for food coupons, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their website utrechtsarbojanin.nl

7. Aalap’s Durga Puja (Utrecht)

Aalap is a new Bengali Community in Utrecht. They plan to organize their first Durga Puja in 2023. There will be traditional ceremonies, fascinating cultural programs, and mouthwatering Bengali dishes.

Location of Aalap’s Durga Puja 2023

Herenstraat 99, 3431 CB, Nieuwegein

Dates and Opening Hours

Saturday, October 21, 2023, to Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Aalap.

Facebook Page

To get the latest news and updates, register your visit, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/aalapbengaliassociation

8. Agomoni’s Durga Puja (Hoofddorp)

Agomoni is a new Bengali community hosting their first Durga Puja in 2023. Their endeavor is to celebrate togetherness and cultivate bonds of integrity, sustainability, and trust.

Location of Agomoni’s Durga Puja 2023

Event Center De Rode Loper, Graftermeerstraat 45C, 2131 AA, Hoofddorp

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Agomoni.

Facebook Page

To get the latest news and updates, register your visit, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/agomoni.netherlands

9. Almere Durga Puja (Almere)

Almere Durga Puja is a new Bengali community hosting their first Durga Puja in 2023. Their motto is to follow sustainable methods of celebration for the betterment of the planet and that of the next generations, while appreciating the miracle of life and the spirit of people against the majestic backdrop of Mother Nature. As part of their efforts to promote sustainability, they have undertaken a mission to collect e-waste and use it to decorate their venue to increase awareness of the quantity of electronic waste people produce at home and to highlight the fact that it can occasionally be used in addition to being recycled. After the Durga Puja event, they plan to recycle the waste with the help of Almere Municipality. They also seek to "integrate locals and foreigners in this world of thin borders" and "support the empowerment" of women through job opportunities.

Location of Almere Durga Puja 2023

De Zaalon, Palmpolstraat 59, 1327 CC Almere

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Monday, October 23, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Almere Durga Puja.

Facebook Page/Website

For the latest news and updates, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/AlmereDurgaPuja. To register for food coupons, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their website almeredurgapuja.com

10. Kolorob’s Durga Puja (Almere)

Kolorob is a new Bengali Community in Almere. They plan to organize their first Durga Puja in 2023.

Location of Kolorob’s Durga Puja 2023

Paragon zaalverhuur, Breskensweg 2, 1324 KE, Almere

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Monday, October 23, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Kolorob.

Facebook Page

To get the latest news and updates, register your visit, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/letsKolorob

11. Utsab’s Delft-Rotterdam Sarbojonin Durga Puja (Rotterdam)

Utsab is a new Bengali Community formed by the Bengalis living in Delft and Rotterdam. They plan to organize their first Durga Puja in 2023. There will be traditional ceremonies, fascinating cultural programs, and mouthwatering Bengali dishes.

Location of Utsab’s Delft-Rotterdam Sarbojonin Durga Puja 2023

Zalencentrum Sunrise, Galvanistraat 150, 3029 AD, Rotterdam

Dates and Opening Hours

Friday, October 20, 2023, to Sunday, October 22, 2023

Tickets

Darshan (visiting Goddess Durga) is free. You need to buy food coupons if you wish to taste authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by the food team at Utsab.

Website

For the latest news and updates, visit their Facebook Page facebook.com/UtsabNetherlands. To register for food coupons, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their website utsab.nl

12. Ohm’s Bengali Durga Puja Festival (Nieuwer-Ter-Aa)

Ohm Bengali Cultural Association is a flourishing non-profit institution based in Den Haag. Their community is run by a small group of pious Bengali Hindu professionals, whose only goal is to protect the rich Bengali and Hindu history, culture, and traditions. Through numerous socio-cultural activities, they are committed to passing on the joy of their youth to the next generation. They organize events that make people happy, such as cultural festivals, summer programs, and excursions. They plan to organize their first Durga Puja in 2023 accompanied with delectable Bengali cuisine, captivating dance performances, and the rich traditions of Bengal.

Location of Ohm’s Bengali Durga Puja Festival 2023

Ashram Dutcheswar Dhaam, Oukoop 12, Nieuwer-Ter-Aa, Netherlands

Dates and Opening Hours

Saturday, October 21, 2023, to Monday, October 23, 2023

Tickets

In Ohm’s Bengali Durga Puja Festival, there is no entrance fee and everyone is welcome to a homely ambiance. Visitors are typically given "Bhog Prasad" and freshly prepared meals. However, since the food is prepared by the food team at Ohm, you need to register your visit to help them assess the right quantity of food to be prepared on each of the given dates.

Facebook Page

To get the latest news and updates, register your visit, participate, or volunteer in cultural programs, games, or contests, visit their Event Page https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/ohm-bengali-durga-festival-2023-tickets

Epilogue

So those were all the Durga Puja celebrations happening across the Netherlands in 2023. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article. And until we meet next time, I wish you merry traveling and happy shooting!