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The dhoom dham of Navratri coincides with another grand festival in India. Durga Puja. Both the festivals pay obeisance to different avatars of the same Goddess, both are a celebration of the feminine energy. It is an auspicious five-day festival that originated in the Indian subcontinent and pays respect Maa Durga. It commemorates the triumph of good over evil, as Goddess Durga assassinates the demon king Mahisasur. According to Hindu legend, the Goddess comes on an annual visit to her paternal abode on earth, along with her five children, during these days to bless her worshippers. While the rituals include ten days of feasting and worshipping, the final four days—Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami—are celebrated with great shor sharaba among Bengalis in India and abroad. People start making preparations to welcome the Goddess on Mahalaya, the day before Ekadashi. But are you aware of the Durga Puja history? Let’s learn about Durga Puja significance and importance.
Durga Puja History Behind Celebrations To defeat the demon ruler, all the gods gathered to worship Adi Shakti. Maa Durga, the woman brought to life to defeat the demon king, Mahisasur was created by the divine light that emanated from all the gods during the puja. According to Hindu legend, Lord Brahma granted the demon king Mahisasur the blessing of invincibility, which meant that no man or deity could slay him. After receiving the benediction, Mahisasur assaulted the gods and chased them out of heaven. To defeat the demon ruler, all the gods gathered to worship Adi Shakti. Maa Durga, the woman brought to life to defeat the demon king, was created by the divine light that emanated from all the gods during the puja. Maa Durga’s battle with Mahishasur lasted ten days. On the tenth day, Goddess Durga killed the demon ruler, and hence the day is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami.
8 Popular Durga Puja Rituals 1. Bodhon It is said that Lord Ram began this ritual in order to enlist the Goddess’s help in fighting Ravana. As a result, the Goddess must be specially called through the Bodhon ceremony, which is done at twilight. 2. Nabapatrika Snan …nine leaves represent the nine manifestations of Shakti or the female power. Nabapatrika is brought to the river for a Snan (bath), following which she is wrapped in a sari and placed next to Ganesha… 3. Anjali While the priests recite mantras to worship Durga Maa, everyone else can pay their respects with Pushpanjali, or Anjali for short, which means offering flowers cupped in your hands. 4. Kumari Puja A pre-pubescent girl is chosen to be the living manifestation of Durga and prayers are said in her obeisance.
5. Sandhi Puja It commemorates the appearance of Goddess Durga in her enraged Chamunda avatar to destroy the demons Chanda and Munda. One hundred and eight lamps are lit. 6. Dhunuchi Naach Clay pots containing burning charcoal are held by people as they begin to dance to the beat of the dhaak. 7. Sindur Khela Sindur Khela is one of the rites in which married ladies present sindoor and sweets to the Goddess. They then smear each other with vermillion. 8. Bisorjon Or Bhashaan The Goddess and her children are led in a parade to Bisorjon or are immersed in the river to symbolise her return to Mount Kailash.
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