Maa Durga Pooja

Lets read about Durga puja and rituals in brief in this blog.

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Introduction

When we talk about Hindu religion there are millions of Gods worshipped throughout the globe. Worship of every God is special and beneficial in its own way. Worship of Maa Durga or Durga pooja is one of the major sacred rituals performed every year (twice) by every Hindu family. The rituals involved are extremely important, royal and unique in Navratri.

The festival is mostly celebrated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tripura, Assam and the other country like Bangladesh.

Significance of Durga Puja

Durga puja or Durgotsava is a ten days festival which falls during the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu calendar. It is the festival during which nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped by devotees for nine days. Tenth day is the Vijayadashami which is popular as Dussehra.

Date and Tithi of Durga Puja

Eventually, Durga Puja will start from 2nd October 2024 and will end up on 12th October 2024.

Story of Durga puja

Maa Durga is the magnificent goddess who blesses her devotees with immense love, strength and provides protection from evils. Durga puja is celebrated as the occasion of victory over evil as Maa Durga conquered the demon Mahishasura.

Once, there was this demon Mahishasura who acquired great power and was difficult to be killed by any male Gods. Due to this everyone decided to contribute their powers and create one female super power to kill Mahishasura. Maa Durga is that female Shakti (power) who killed Mahishasura and got the universe rid of the vicious devil.

From that time onwards, Maa Durga is worshipped every year by humans on earth and the prayers are offered to her in a very attractive way. So, Durga puja is important because in order to get Maa Durga’s blessings, prayers should be offered to Durga and celebrated as a festival.
likeiwse, the trend of celebrating Durga puja as Durgotsava for ten days began. The nine forms of Durga namely Shailaputri, Chandraghanta, Mahagauri, Kushmanda, Kalaratri, Skandamata, Katyayani, Siddhidatri and Brahmacharini are the Navdurga or the nine forms of Durga.

Just like a mother who provides nourishment, protection, warmth, comfort, guidance, and education to her child, Goddess Durga similarly fulfills our needs, offering nourishment and fulfillment. It is a very natural, intimate, and pure form of relationship

Rituals performed in Durga puja

There are a number of pandals set up in different themes at different corners of the city. These pandals are beautifully decorated with different materials and statues of maa Durga, Lord Ganesha, Riddhi and Siddhi (wives of Lord Ganesha), Lord Kartikey and demon Mahishasura lying in the feet of Maa Durga. A royal aarti ceremony is conducted along with dhuni and hawan. The entire conglomeration imparts an appealing effect on the people which fills the air with flavor of spirituality all around the place.

Major attractions

Some of the major attractions of the celebration are:

  1. There are many cultural programs organized which include cultural dance by artists, Raas-Leela, Ram-Leela and other competitions at local level.
  2. Fairs are organised at many places where food, games, clothes, rides for children and stalls of other products are there for the entertainment of people visiting with families and children.
  3. Many localities organize cultural events for children and society members. This includes dance, singing, mimicry and other activities by people of society and various competitions and games.
  4. Also, devotees wear new clothes for puja and offer heartfelt prayers to Mahisasur Mardhini.

However, the main rituals performed in pandal are as given.

Durga Puja typically spans five days, with intricate rituals performed each day.Here are the key Durga Puja rituals

Mahalaya

Mahalaya is celebrated on last of Shraddh. It will be observed on October 2, 2024. It is the beginning of Durga Puja. One week before the main festival. Also, it marks the beginning of Durga Puja. On this day, devotees invoke Goddess Durga and seek her blessings to descend to Earth. It’s also the day for remembering ancestors, with special rituals called Tarpan performed at riverbanks.

Bodhan (Kalparambha)

Akala Bodhan is awakening of Maa Durga. However, it was done without the shubh muhurat to awaken the Durga by Lord Rama to kill demon king Ravana. Hence, Brahma became Purohit to do Akala Bodhana for Shri Ram. Likewise, following Brahma’s instructions, Rama praised Goddess Durga by reciting the Katyayani hymn. Brahma also chanted the Devi Sukta from the Vedas to please the goddess. Pleased with their devotion, the goddess appeared and foretold that a great war between Lord Rama and Ravana would take place from Shukla Saptami to Shukla Navami. On Saptami, she declared that she would empower Rama’s bow and arrows.

Apparently, this is the ceremonial awakening of the goddess. The clay idols of Durga are unveiled, and rituals like Ghatasthapana (establishing a pot symbolizing the goddess’s energy) are performed to formally invite goddess Durga.

Although, this ritual is performed early in the morning. It involves making the samkalpa, or sacramental intention, to conduct the Puja properly over the next three days. The ritual includes installing a ghata or kalash (a water-filled copper pot) in a corner of the Durga mandap and offering prayers to Goddess Durga and Chandi.

Moreover, Bodhan is conducted at dusk, as the word “Bodhan” means “awakening.” According to Hindu mythology, gods and goddesses sleep for six months during the Sun’s southward journey. Since Durga Puja falls in the autumn, during this period, it is necessary to awaken Goddess Durga. The Bodhan ritual involves placing a water-filled copper vessel at the base of a Belpatra tree, or keeping a branch of the Bel tree in the pot, and praying to the Divine Mother to awaken.

Nabapatrika (Saptami)

On the second day (Saptami) is celebrated to mark the begining of the battle betwwen maa Durga and Mahisasur. It will be observed on October 9, 2024.

This ritual symbolizes the start of Durga’s battle against evil. This ritual begins before sunrise, when nine sacred plants are tied together and taken to the river Ganges for a ceremonial bath. These plants—turmeric, bel, ashoka, jayanti, pomegranate, banana, paddy, colocasia, and arum—each hold special significance. Eight of them represent the goddesses created by Goddess Durga to battle Mahishasura. The ninth plant symbolizes Goddess Durga herself. Apparently, a mirror is placed in front of the idol. the personification of the Goddess Durga and is placed to reflect the image of the Goddess idol in front of it. This mirror is given a ritual bath. thi is called Mahasnan.

Pran Pratistha

Furthermore, it is the second day of the main puja invoking the life force into the divine idol of Maa Durga. First, the idol of Maa Durga is bathed with Gangajal or water from a sacred river. After the bath, it is gently wiped with a clean cloth and dressed in new clothes. The idol is then placed in a pure and clean area and adorned with sandalwood. Next, the Prana Pratishtha ritual is performed by chanting Beej Mantras.

Before this, the idol undergoes several Adhivasas, including Jaladhivasa, where it is kept in water overnight, and Dhanyadhivasa, where it is placed in grains. Once the most auspicious Lagna Muhurta is observed, expert Vedic Brahmins perform the Prana Pratishtha ceremony. During this ritual, the goddess is invoked through mantras, and the eyes of the idol are opened for the first time, symbolizing the awakening of the deity.

Also, a pot filled with holy water, topped with a coconut, and surrounded by five mango leaves is placed before the idol of the Goddess. A priest then consecrates the pot, invoking the spirit of the Goddess while chanting sacred hymns. Following this, the Goddess is worshipped with 16 special offerings.

Maha Ashtami

Maha Ashtami will be observed on October 10, 2024. It is most imprtant day, includes various rituals like:

  1. Pushpanjali : Here, devotees shower the Durga idol with flower petals and belpatra leaves in the morning on an empty stomach. The discarded petals are saved for immersion on Dashami.
  2. Sandhi Puja : In the evening, the mandap is decorated with 108 lamps, lotus flowers, and other offerings.
  3. Astra Puja : The weapons of Durga are worshipped with mantras. Also, at many places, mantras such as Durga Saptashati are recited. Additionally, devotees offer flowers, incense, and a ghee diya to the Goddess. A red cloth, or chunri, is also offered as a symbol of devotion.
  4. Kumari Puja : On Ashtami, young girls are worshipped as embodiments of the goddess Durga.
  5. Chandi Path : Learned Priests recite the Durga Chandi Path as an essential ritual on this day.
  6. Fasting: However, devotees often observe a strict fast.

Maha Navami

The fourth day og Durga Puja is also known as Maha Navami. It will be observed on October 11, 2024. Besides, this day is filled with grand celebrations, maha aarti and maha bhog. Also, these rituals are more elaborate on this day, invoking the goddess’s power and protection.

Dashami or Dusshera in Durga Puja

Dashami ends the gradeur of Durga Puja with a happy note. It is the fifth and final day of Durga Puja on October 12, 2024. On this day, devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga. The idols are taken in large processions and immersed in rivers or other water bodies also called Visarjan. Not only it makes devotees emotional but also it symbolises her return to her divine abode.

Sindoor Khela

Sindoor Khela is famous ritual performed mainly in West Bengal. It has recived attention from many bollywood movies too. Although, in this ritual married women apply vermillion powder (sindoor) to each other and the idol of Maa Durga, signifying marital bliss and invoking blessings for a long, happy married life.

Durga Balidan

A symbolic animal sacrifice (balidan), typically using vegetables or fruits like pumpkin, is offered to the goddess to celebrate her victory. Earlier, it used to be Bali of an animal.

Devotees offer prayers and special food offerings to the goddess. Bhog is later distributed among the worshippers as Prasad.

Conclusion

Durga Puja is not just about rituals but also about social gatherings, artistic creativity (seen in the intricate idols and elaborate pandals), and cultural performances, making it a holistic celebration.

To buy decorative items for Durga Puja at your home, click here.

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