Durga Puja isn’t an ordinary affair in India. It is a huge religious, social and cultural ceremony celebrated by the Hindus worldwide. The festive mood is set a month before the Puja starts with the making of clay idols, decoration of marquees (pandals), shopping, planning of holidays and what not.
The festival of Durga Puja starts with Mahalaya, in the month of Ahin(September-October). Prayers are offered to the ancestors at the river banks, a ritual called Tarpan. The inauguration of the Goddess idol starts on Mahashasthi. The main puja is for three days – Mahasaptami, Mahaastami, Mahanavami. The puja rituals are long and very detailed and complex. Three days of Mantras, Shlokas, Arati, offerings along with colorful lights, beats of Dhaks, food, cultural nights– an entire vibrant atmosphere is lit up.
Long history and significance is associated with Goddess Durga and her Puja. Let’s go through some of the facts to know about the grand festival better.
1. Brief story behind Durga:
Durga was created to decimate the demon ‘Mahishasura’ who unleashed a terror in both Earth and Heaven. He had received a boon from ‘Lord Brahma’ that he can’t be killed by any man or a deity. Hence Lord Vishnu created a woman, Durga, to kill him.
And the day when she actually slain Mahishasura, is observed as Vijayadashami; the truimph of good over evil.
2. How Durga got her name?
According to the Skanda Purana, Durga is the name given to the Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Siva, after she killed a demon called Durg.
3. Three forces of Durga Goddess:
There are three forces lying within Goddess Durga: Creative, Preservative and Destructive. Hence she is known to be the creator of all the living beings in the world as well the destroyer of evils and bad.
4. Epic Ramayana connection:
It is believed she was requested to slay Mahishasura in autumn. Lord Rama also held Durga Puja during this time before going at war with Ravana to rescue Sita. And hence the festival is observed in this season. And Dashami is celebrated on same day of Dussehra!
5. 8 Arms of Durga ma:
Devi Durga possesses eight arms which have their distinct purposes. Before going to fight Mahishasur, different Gods and Godesses gifted her various arms and articles to protect herself.
Wheel or Chakra in the 1st upper right hand symbolizes dharma (duty/righteousness).
Conch shell in her first upper left hand symbolizes happiness.
Sword in her second right lower hand symbolizes destruction of evil.
Bow and arrow in her second left lower hand is the symbol of righteousness and moral value.
Lotus flower in her third lower left hand symbolizes detachment with the material world.
Club in her third right lower hand symbolizes Hanuman and indicates devotion and surrender.
Trident or trishul in her fourth left lower hand symbolizes courage to face the obstacles in our life.
Fourth Lower Right Hand represents forgiveness and Her blessings.
6. Significance of Lion and Tiger:
Maa Durga is also seen to be seated on the back of a a lion or tiger. Those two animals symbolizes limitless power, fury, greed, animality, selfishness and spite which we should always keep in control.
Her red sari is a symbol of anger which signifies the destruction of evils from the society to protect her children.
7. Nine forms of Durga:
There is also believed to be nine forms of Durga which are worshiped on Navaratri or Nine Nights festival celebrated in North and Central India.
The names of those nine forms are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Maha Gauri, Siddhidatri.
8. Navaratri and Durga correlation:
Just like Navratri, Durga Puja is celebrated as different festivals in different regions of India. Durga Puja is mostly seen to be celebrated in the Northeast, West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar.
Navaratri is observed in Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat. Kullu Dussehra in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Mysore Dussehra is celebrated in Karnataka, especially in Mysore. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh observes Bommai Kolu, Ayudha Puja, Vidyaramba and Saraswati Puja at this time. Maharashtra also celebrates Simollanghan Puja.
9. The first Durga Puja Celebration in India
In the year 1606, the first Durga Puja is said to have been celebrated in West Bengal by Bhabananda, the ancestor of Maharaja Krishnachandra of Nadia. The oldest Durga puja ceremony in Kolkata is believed to have been witnessed in 1610 organized by the royal family of Barisha headed by Sabarana Chaudhury.
The first “Sharadiya” Durga Puja was held in 1757 at Shobhabazar Rajbari. This year the Rajbari(Palace) is going to organise its 260th Durga Puja.
10. There are 108 names of Durga Devi known.
They are:
Name Meaning
Durga the inaccessible
Devi the diety
Tribhuvaneshwari goddess of the three worlds
Yashodagarbasambhoota emerging from Yashoda’s womb
Narayanavarapriya fond of Narayana’s boons
Nandagopakulajata daughter of the Nandagopa
Kulavardhini developer of the race
Kamsavidravanakari threatened Kamsa
Asurakshayamkari reducer of the number of demons
Shilathatavinikshibda at birth,slammed by Kamsa
Akashagamini flies in sky
Vasudevabhagini sister of Vasudeva
Divamalyavibhooshita adorned with beautiful garlands
Divyambaradhara beautifully robed
Khadgaketakadharini holder of sword and shield
Shiva auspicious
Papadharini bearer of others’ sins
Varada granter of boons
Krishna sister of Krishna
Kumari young girl
Brahmacharini seeker of Brahman
Balarkasadrushakara like the rising sun
Purnachandranibhanana beautiful like the full moon
Chaturbhuja four-armed
Chaturvakttra four-faced
Peenashronipayodhara large bosomed
Mayoorapichhavalaya wearer of peacock-feathered bangles
Keyurangadadharini bejewelled with armlets and bracelets
Krishnachhavisama like krishna’s radiance
Krishna dark-complexioned
Sankarshanasamanana equal to sankarshana
Indradhwajasamabahudharini with shoulders like indra’s flag
Patradharini vessel-holder
Pankajadharini lotus-holder
Kanttadhara holder of Shiva’s neck
Pashadharini holder of rope
Dhanurdharini holder of bow
Mahachakradharini holder of chakra
Vividayudhadhara bearer of various weapons
Kundalapurnakarnavibhooshita wearer of earrings covering the ears
Chandravispardimukha beautiful like the moon
Mukutavirajita shining with crown adorned
Shikhipichhadwajavirajita having peacock-feathered flag
Kaumaravratadhara observer of fasts like young girls do
Tridivabhavayirtri goddess of the three worlds
Tridashapujita the goddess of the celestials
Trailokyarakshini protector of the three worlds
Mahishasuranashini destroyer of mahisha
Prasanna cheerful
Surashreshtta supreme among the celestials
Shiva Shiva’s half
Jaya victorious
Vijaya conqueror
Sangramajayaprada granter of victory in the war
Varada bestower
Vindhyavasini resident of the vindhyas
Kali dark-complexioned
Kali goddess of death
Mahakali wife of Mahakala
Seedupriya fond of drinks
Mamsapriya fond of flesh
Pashupriya fond of all beings
Bhootanushruta well-wisher of bhootaganas
Varada bestower
Kamacharini acting on one’s own accord
Papaharini destroyer of sins
Kirti famed
Shree auspicious
Dhruti valiant
Siddhi successful
Hri holy chant of hymns
Vidhya wisdom
Santati granter of issues
Mati wise
Sandhya twilight
Ratri night
Prabha dawn
Nitya eternal
Jyotsana radiant like flames
Kantha radiant
Khama embodiment of forgiveness
Daya compassionate
Bandhananashini detacher of attachments
Mohanashini destroyer of desires
Putrapamrityunashini sustainer of son’s untimely death
Dhanakshayanashini controller of wealth
Vyadhinashini vanquisher of ailments
Mruthyunashini destroyer of death
Bhayanashini remover of fear
Padmapatrakshi eyes like the lotus leaf
Durga remover of distress
Sharanya granter of refuge
Bhaktavatsala lover of devotees
Saukhyada bestower of well-being
Arogyada granter of good health
Rajyada bestower of kingdom
Ayurda granter of longevity
Vapurda granter of beautiful appearance
Sutada granter of issues
Pravasarakshika protector of travellers
Nagararakshika protector of land
Sangramarakshika protector of wars
Shatrusankatarakshika protector from distress caused by foes
Ataviduhkhandhararakshika protector from ignorance and distress
Sagaragirirakshika protector of seas and hills
Sarvakaryasiddhipradayika granter of success in all attempts
Durga deity Durga
Thus, Goddess Durga epitomizes all the supreme forces which can destroy all the evil and negative forces in the world. She symbolizes the power of feminine energy which is the most purest and positive form of energy in the earth.
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