Religion & Belief (Alor Pothay) > Hinduism

Goddess Durga

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Shamim Ansary:
The worship of Devi Durga in the month of Ashwin is called 'Akalbodhan'- an uncoventional time for inauguration of the worship. It is so called since the period of this worship differs from the conventional period (during the spring - 'Basanta').

Mythological tract:
In the ancient times, a demon called 'Mahishasura' earned the favor of 'Lord Brahma' through extreme austerity and prolonged meditation. Pleased with the devotion of the demon, the lord blessed him with a boon that no man or Deity would be able to kill him. Empowered with the boon, Mahishasura started his reign of terror over the Earth and Heaven.

Invasion of Heaven:
People were already being killed mercilessly and even the Gods were assaulted.
Yet the worse was yet to come. It came when an strong army of demons was gathered to siege the abode of the Deities. The army was led by the king Mahishasura, the green skinned demon with the form of a giant buffalo. With its weapons of iron, and its phalanxes of elephants and charioteers the army finally marched on the king of gods, Purandara or (Indra), defeating him. Then, Mahishasura usurped the throne of heaven.

The victory was complete, and all the gods were driven out of the heaven. Routed they went to the trinity of the Supreme Gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to save themselves and the men on the world.
The orgy of violence vis-a-vis the the invasion of the heaven by the evils enraged the Supreme Gods. Their faces were flushed with anger and a dazzling luminescence flooded forth. Great flames and thunderbolt streaked through all directions. The fires illuminated all the three worlds: the heaven, the earth, and the nether-world with penetrating beams of light.

The Birth of Durga:
At a single point, the energy of all the fires coalesced and assumed a shape, in the form of a young woman. Her face was from the light of Shiva. Her ten arms were from Lord Vishnu. Her legs were from Lord Brahma.

The dispossessed gods were awed by the supreme energy and enchanting beauty of the conceived Goddess. They praised her and equipped her with their divine gifts: Shiva gave Her a trident with a spear-end. Krishna gave her rotating disc. Varuna, the God of sea, gave her a conch and the God of fire gave her a missile. From the wind, Vayu, she received arrows. The king of gods, Indra, gave her the thunder-bolt, and the gift of his white-skinned elephant Airavata was a bell. From Yama, the god of death, Durga received a rod, and from the Ruler of Waters she was given a noose.

Durga received many other precious and magical treasures-- gifts of jewels, new clothing, and a garland of immortal lotuses for her head and breasts. Heaven's architect gave her a bright axe and magic armor. God of mountains, Himalayas gave her jewels and a magnificent lion to ride into battle.

Now equipped with the fearsome weaponry and magical powers of the gods, and dressed in golden armor and jewels she set off, seated gracefully upon the lion. His thunderous roars shook the three worlds. Oceans swelled up to scrape the sky and surf broke over the land. Continents were torn at their granite foundations as whole new chains of mountains rose, while older ranges crumbled, cracked, and gave way to dust in a thousand landslides. Seeing these cataclysmic ripplings in waves through all the three worlds, Mahishasura and his demon allies found their attention drawn from heaven to Earth. Though confident of their power and control in heaven, even the conquering demon host could not help being awestruck.

The demons had little time to admire the radiant visage of their new adversary, for soon she engaged them on the battlefield. First, the army of Chikasura, and then that of Chamara, the two chief commanders (also called Shumbha and Nishumbha,of Mahishasura by some) were met. They were destroyed in a great battle. Now it's turn for Mahishasura.

The Termination of Mahishasura:
Confident but confused by the humiliating defeat of his loyal and powerful commanders Mahishasura did his best in arranging and equipping his personal army.

This time the heaven was led by Durga as the boon of Mahishasura could only make him invincible against all but woman. Surrounded by chants of praise, the blowing of horns the beating of drums and songs of worship Durga roamed the battlefield on her mighty lion. From her divine breath her army was constantly replenished with new warriors, each able, brave and resolute.

Shocked and enraged by the disastrous events on the battlefield. In a mad desperate bid Mahishasura then reverted to his own form, a buffalo, and charged about on the battlefield. In a wild rage he charged at Durga's divine soldiers wounding many, biting others and all the while thrashing with his long, whip-like tail. Durga's lion, angered by the presence of the demon-buffalo, attacked him. While he was thus engaged, Durga threw her noose around his neck.

But through magical spell Mahishasura kept changing his shape and form from one to another so as to puzzle the Devi.

Finally the Goddess beheaded the buffalo and from it emerged Mahishasura in his original form. Durga pierced his chest with the trident and relieved the world from the evil power.
The gods returned to heaven, and along with the sages of the earth, they sang praises and showered floral compliments to the Goddess Durga. Henceforth, and to this day, the Goddess Durga is worshipped by all the gods in heaven, and all human beings on earth. Mahishasura is there too--frozen in his moment of final defeat, impaled by Durga's spear and seeking pardon beneath her left foot. The Goddess Durga then continued to be worshipped in this form.

According to Puranas (the epics) , King Suratha, used to worship the goddess Durga in spring. Thus Durga Puja was also known as Basanti Puja (Basanta being Spring). While the vernal worship of Durga still goes on but it is the Ram's Akalbodhan during the autumn that came to be a most widely accepted practice.
In the 'Ramayana', as it goes, Rama went to 'Lanka' to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana, the king of the Demons in Lanka. Before starting for his battle with Ravana, Rama wanted the blessings of Devi Durga . He came to know that the Goddess would be pleased only if she is worshipped with one hundred 'NeelKamal' or blue lotuses. Rama, after travelling the whole world, could gather only ninety nine of them. He finally decided to offer one of his eyes, which resembled blue lotuses. Durga, being pleased with the devotion of Rama, appeared before him and blessed him. The epical battle started on the 'Saptami' and Ravana was finally killed on the 'Sandhikshan' i.e. the crossover period between Ashtami (the next day) and Navami (the day after). Ravana was cremated on Dashami. This is why Dashera is celebrated in India with so much of fanfare and the effigy of Raavana is burnt.

In course of time Bengalis adopted the autumnal worship of Durga performed by Rama and made it their main festival. The Pujas span over the four days, the time taken by Rama to finally kill and cremate Ravana.


Source: http://www.theholidayspot.com/durgapuja/akalbodhan.htm

Shamim Ansary:
Five Days of Durga Puja

Mahsasthi:


Mahasasthi, the sixth day from the new moon, marks the beginning of the fascinating and impressive Bengali festival, Durga Puja. People of Bengal dance with the melodious tunes of Dhak, a musical instrument, to welcome devi Durga with her four children to the well decorated homes and pandals. Durga Puja Pandal on MahasasthiThe entire Bengal gets into the mood of celebration from the evening of Mahasasthi. Pandals get crowded when well dressed men and women congregate on the pandal premise to celebrate the occasion. Renowned artists, celebrities and ministers are invited to various pandals to inaugurate the Durga Puja pandals.

The face of the deity is unveiled in the Mahasasthi evening. This interesting ritual is popularly known as the Bodhon of Devi Durga. Traditional and ethnic families of Bengal emphasize on Devi Bodhon as one the most important ceremonies of Durga Puja.

Lot of Puja authorities still are seen busy in giving their pandals a beautiful finishing touch. People are busy to decorate the throne and pandals. The crowd of the roads slowly starts moving towards the Puja pandals. The atmosphere changes with the tunes of dancing numbers and melodious music.

Mahasaptami:


Kala Bou for MahasaptamiMahasaptami, the very next day of Sasthi, is the prime day of the five days long fiesta when “pran pratistha” into the idol is done. “Pran pratistha” is completed soon after the bathing of the “Kola Bou” (A tender banana plant) is done. “Kola Bou” is generally wrapped with white colored saree which has a red border. The “Kola Bou” is used to carry out the rite of “Pran Pratistha” into the devi idol.

Bengalis believe that the “Kola Bou” is the wife of Lord Ganesha, the son of the deity Durga. So, “Kola Bou” resides beside Lord Ganesha.

A ghot or brass pot, filled with water of pond or river, is kept at the feet of Devi Durga and is worshipped as a feet of the devi.

Mahashtami:


Kumari Puja on MahashtamiMahashtami, the eighth day from the new moon, the most important day of the five days, is the day when “Kola Bou” is worshipped. “Chandi Path”, Kumari Puja and Aarati attract local people to their adjoining puja pandals. This was the auspicious day when Devi Durga killed Mahisasura, the demon. The ceremony of Mahashtami continues from the early morning till the late night.

The evening of Mahasthami is the time when roads and pandals witness huge numbers of people. Traffic police works really hard to control the traffic. A number of people hire their own vehicles to see idols of different corners of the city of Kolkata.

The most important part of Mahasthami puja, is Sandhi puja which takes place in the juncture of Mahasthami and Mahanabami.

Mahanavami:


Maa DurgaThis is the last day of the goddess in her paternal house. Hindus believe that Devi will go back to Kailasa after Mahanavami and she will again come back after one long year. This is a day when everyone feels bad thinking that after few hours the deity will be immersed. Bengali mothers treat devi Durga as their own daughters. Mothers feel the pain when their daughters go to the house of their father in laws.

Mahadashami:


Sidur Khela on MahadashamiOn the day of Mahadashami Devi Durga start her journey towards her abode in Kailasa. Before the devi starts her journey towards Kailasa with her four children, married women flock to the pandals to apply sindoor on the forehead of Devi and ask devi to return back again to her paternal house next year. Married women greet the deity with sweets. In the evening Devi durga is immersed in the River.

Mahadashami marks the end of the five days long carnival.

From the Source: http://www.theholidayspot.com/durgapuja/five_days_of_durgapuja.htm

Shamim Ansary:
108 Names of Devi Durga

Please surf for details...http://www.theholidayspot.com/durgapuja/names.htm

Shamim Ansary:
Durga Bhajans

Durga Puja is celebrated with fun and fervor by Bengalis. All through the ten days of celebrations, people in West Bengal are busy in the merrymaking. They enjoy fasting and feasting with equal pleasure. Ma Durga, the deity of courage and strength, is worshipped for nine days and her idol is immersed at a nearby river or lake on the tenth (last) day of the festival. Bhajans are sung by the devotees at the puja pandal, all through the nine days. It is believed that Goddess Durga is provoked through bhajans, if they are sung with immense devotion. Given below are the lyrics of popular Goddess Durga Bhajans.


Ma Durga Bhajans

Aadi Divya Jyothi Mahaa Kaali Maa Namo
Devi Shakthi Mahaa Shakthi Kaali Maa Namo
Kaali Maa Namo, Sathya Sai Maa Namo
Shringa Shaila Vaasini Kaali Maa Namo
Sankata Haarini Mangala Kaarini Kaali Maa Namo
Kaali Maa Namo, Sathya Sai Maa Namo

Ambey Bhavani Maa Jai Ambey Gauri Sai Maatha
Kasht Nivaaro Maiyya Bhakth Janonke
Sankatahaarani Maa Jai Ambey Gauri Sai Maatha
Kasht Nivaaro Maiyya Bhakt Janonkey
Parthipuri Sai Maa Jai Ambey Gauri Sai Maatha
Prem Bhaav Sey Pooja Karey Theree

Shambhavi Shankari Namo Namo
Shanta Swaroopini Namo Namo
Sathya Sai Maheshwari Namo Namo
Namo Namo Namo Namo
Namo Namo Namo Namo

Naada Brahmamayee Sayeeshwari
Bhagavathi Maatha Kripa Saagari
Naada Brahmamayee Sayeeshwari
Varaahi Vaishnavi Vageeswari
Maathangi Mahaamaye Mookambikey
Parameshwari Hari Sodari
Bhava Bhaya Haarini Sathya Sayeeshwari

Dayaa Karo Dayaa Karo Dayaa Karo Maa
Rakshaa Karo Rakshaa Karo Sathya Sai Maa
Hey Maa Hey Maa
Dayaa Karo Krupaa Karo Sathya Sai Maa
Sathya Sai Maa Sathya Sai Maa

Durgati Nashini Durga Jai Jai
Kaala Vinashini Kaalini Jai Jai
Uma Rama Sarvaani Jai Jai
Seetha Radha Rukmini Jai Jai
Jai Jai Jai Hari Narayana Jai
Jai Jai Gopeejana Vallabha Jai Jai
Bhaktha Vatsala Sai Naathha Jai Jai

Durgey Durgey Durgey Jai Jai Maa
Karuna Saagari Maa
Kaali Kapaalini Maa
Jagadoddharini Maa
Jagadambey Jai Jai Maa

Dehi Sharanam Simha Vaahini
Dehi Sharanam Asura Vinaashini
Dehi Sharanam Bhava Bhaya Haarini
Dehi Sharanam Hari Naaraayani
Dehi Sharanam Brahma Sanaatani
Dehi Sharanam Sai Naaraayani

Devi Bhavaani Maa Sai Bhavaani Maa
Parthi Nivaasini Jaganmaata
Deena Dayaakari Parama Kripaakari (2)
Hey Jaga Vandini Maata
Mangala Kaarini Moksha Vidhaayini
Deena Samrakshini Maata


Source: http://festivals.iloveindia.com/durga-puja/bhajans.html

mondal:
Akalbodhan

Durga Puja - Bashonti Puja
Evoke goddess Durga by offering prayers.
The worship of Devi Durga in the month of Ashwin is called 'Akalbodhan'- an uncustomary time for commencement of the worship. It is so called since the period of this worship differs from the conventional period (during the spring - 'Basanta'). Ramayana says that when Rama was engaged in the fierce battle with Ravana, he wanted to secure the blessings of victory from Devi Durga. He held the puja to evoke the goddess during autumn to his dire plight, thereby worshiping Durga untimely (in Akal). Hence this puja is called Akalbodhon.

It was customary to worship Durga with 100 neel kamals (blue lotuses). Rama could gather only 99 of them; he offered one of his eyes as a substitute of the 100th lotus. Pleased with his devotion Durga blessed him. The battle started on Shaptami and Ravana was killed at the Shandhikshan (in between) Ashtami and Navami; he was cremated on Dashami. Therefore the four days of the puja that we celebrate ends in the triumph of the good over evil.

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