One of the most grand and most awaited festivals of the natives of Bengal. Know by different names such as Akalbodhan Vijaya Dashami and Dashain. the festival is also popular in Bangladesh and Nepal other than India. The festive season commemorates the eternal powers of Goddess Durga. It is believed that even the mighty and great Lord Rama invoked blessings of Maa Durga before going for the battle against Asura Raja Ravana.
The Festival
The ten day long Puja rituals are wholly dedicated to the mighty and supreme Goddess Durga. The destructive spree of Maa Durga leaves no evil behind. Riding on her divine chariot of Lion (traditionally called as Singho Vahan), she looks furious, yet charismatic. The festival is the symbol of inevitable triumph of virtuosity over vice. The time span of celebrations of the festival is viewed as Goddess Durga's ascendancy on earth for that particular time. Soon after, she leaves for Mountain Kailash, where her husband dwells. The story is linked to the married daughters returning to their parent's home along with their husbands in present times.
Time Of The Year
The autumn season ushers the spirit of festivities in the heart of every Bengali as it is the same time when they are soaked into the Durga Puja celebrations. It is the sixth month according to the Bengali Calendar called 'Ashwin', in which falls the holy occasion of Durga Puja. In Hindu Calendar, the same month is referred to as the month of Karthika and Gregorian Calendars call it the months of October-November. Since the festival falls on the beginning of autumn season, it has been termed as Sharodia as well. The time of Durga Puja coincides with that of Navratri, which encircles the rest of the India into it's gleam of jubilations.
Durga Puja Story
There is an interesting legendary story associated with the festival. As per the oral traditions and Hindu scriptures and treatise, the peace and happiness of Gods were disrupted by the demon Mahishasura. Together they went to Lord Shiva to ask for his help. Lord Shiva combined the eternal reservoir of the energies of all the Gods into one being and created Goddess Durga. Riding on lion, as soon as she placed her feet on the battlefield, there was an extreme terror of her. She put an end to the life of Demon Mahishasur with a natural ease. Since then she has become the storehouse of power of all Gods. Maa Durga stands for a well channelized energy that works towards the eradicating evil.
Celebrations And Rituals
Gigantic size idols of Goddess Lakshmi can be seen everywhere. The aroma of Dhunuchi makes the aura ethereal. Extravagant pandals on big grounds, traffic circles, parks and at every empty space are there to add pompousness to the celebrations. With Mahashashthi are inaugurated the rituals of Durga Puja and ends on Dashami when the idols of the deity are immersed in water bodies. After it comes Shubhu Bijoya. It is actually after bidding farewell to the deity into rivers or sea, that people exchange gifts amongst family and friends. The entire time period is highlighted with puja rituals. Wearing new clothes and singing and dancing on religious and traditional tunes continues throughout.
Drench your heart and soul into the jollifications of Durga puja and follow the essence of it. Never to be diverted or distracted from the path of goodness is the message the festival of Durga Puja convey.
