Durga Maa or Devi Durga is the divine goddess which is worshiped in the days of Navaratri. Those nine heavenly days of Durgotsav is a Hindu festival which is eminent every year as a emblem of Maa Durga’s victory on evil Mahishasura.
Durga Puja has a significant place in the heart of Hindu worshipers. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and faith in the goddess and is said to be Faldayani (fertile).
It arrives every year in the autumn season usually in September or October month (Ashvini) as per Indian calendar. Many times these Navratri date coincides with VijayaDashmi i.e. the mark of the victory of Lord Rama over devil Ravana. On the 10th day of the festival, Ravana is burnt.
Table of Contents
Why Durga Puja (Durgotsav) is special?
Goddess Durga fought with the fiend (asura) for 10 days and after such grand battle, she exterminate the shape-fitting and deceptive buffalo demon Mahishasura who wanted to rule over the world and make mother earth a hell. Therefore nine days with each different figure of goddess Durga is adored and people fast & rejoice this as a big festival.
Reason for celebrating Durga Puja festival?
At the end of the festival i.e. on the tenth day, the idol is immersed in water and desired to visit subsequentl year with immense devotion. People fast for these nine days by believing the goddess Durga will shower all love and fertility in one’s life. This festival is held to eradicate all the negativities and bring optimistic energies.
Nine Forms of Goddess Durga
There are nine aspects of Maa Durga.
- Devi Shail Putri
- Brahmachari
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skandmata
- Katyayini
- Kaalratri
- Mahagauri
- Siddhidaatri
Where is Durga Puja Festival celebrated?
This fiesta is celebrated all over the country and is considered as the major festival in Hindu tradition. Particularly it is famous in West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Bangladesh. In Nepal, it is called as Dashain. It is the foremost festival of Shaktism tradition across the country in Hindu custom.
In Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Kerela, and Maharashtra it is called Navaratri. In West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, and Odisha it is called Akalbodhan, Maayer Pujo, Maha Pujo etc. Every region has different names for this festivity but the core motive is same i.e. to celebrate the victory of good on sin.
History of Durga Puja
According to archaeological record, scriptures and manuscripts, Durga Puja is a primeval celebration and has been through many ages. It has its state in Rigveda and Atharvaveda hymns. At Mahabharata times Yudhishthira and Arjuna were said to be the worshipper of the goddess and has a prominent mention. Similarly, in Puranas, it has considerable citing. Kings and queens also had made many temples of goddess Durga and are still inherent as part of history.
How is Durga Puja celebrated?
Durga Puja is celebrated with colossal passion across various states of India.
- At the first day, a huge beautifully crafted icon of Maa Durga is installed in decorated Podiums all over the city and at homes, the worship area is cleaned and a Kalash (URN) is put in as a symbol of the goddess.
- At the end of the celebration, a huge rally is paraded in the city to provide an opportunity for devotees to see deity once. Disciples dance, enjoy and gratify the divinity and then immerse idol in water.
Rituals Performed At Durga Puja- ( As Per Bengali’s)
Before one week at the time of “Mahalaya” goddess Durga is requested to come to earth. The deity idol draws everyone’s eyes and this is known as Chokkhu Daan. Once the idol is installed a ritual on Saptami is invoked to make her holy presence. This is called Pran Pratishthan.
In this, a small banana plant called Kola Bou (banana bride) is bathed in the nearby river and dressed in a sari and supposed to absorb energy and divinity of the goddess. Prayers are offered to the goddess each day with a pure heart in various forms.
On Ashtami, she is worshipped in the form of a virgin girl called Kumari Puja and this is celebrated as to maintain the holiness of the female energy and its spread in the society. After the puja, it is said that Goddess Durga is transformed into a Kumari (a girl).
On Navami, prayers are offered to the goddess with the fire ceremony (Maha Arti).
On the last day of Puja goddess returns on her husband’s domicile and idol is taken out for immersion. All married women offer red color powder ( Sindoor) to Maa Durga and daub themselves with marriage, fertility and bearing children.
In other states – People fast for these nine days and visit temple daily to worship. Kanya Poojan is held on the 9th day where little girls are worshipped as the goddess and are offered foods and gifts.
These days are full of vibrant colors and positivity. Especially in Gujarat “Garba” a dance form is performed as a greeting to the goddess. This is now become popular in many other states of the country too.
What to wear during Durga Puja?
People wear traditional clothes during Durga Puja. Clean and new clothes are worn during the prayers and daily early morning bath is taken. Women wear saris and dress with all ornaments which are a symbol of her marriage and men wear Kurta Pyjama.
What to Expect during Durga Puja?
This festival is full of positivity and drama. People dance and enjoy this celebration by getting social and theatrical events. You eat all “Saatvik” (fasting food) and get the opportunity to watch magnificently carved statues in the stunning decorated pedestal.
Durga Puja Vidhi
Although this festival is of goddess Durga other gods are also worshipped in this festival. God Ganesh, Kartikeya, and goddess Lakshmi are also offered prayers during this time.
Let us move on how to offer prayers to the goddess in these holy days-
Puja Ingredients
For Puja, you need Kalash, Tambe ka Patra, hibiscus flowers, rice, curd, milk, clarified butter, sugar, honey, fruits, sweets, dry fruits for panchamrita, KumKum, earthen lamp, coconut etc.
Begin with the worship by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, Gajananan who is the popular god and said to earn first place during all devotion.
Pledge
Take water, flowers, and rice in your hands and make an oath what are you doing on these nine and then leave the water in front of the Kalash on the ground.
Worship of Maa Durga
Place the idol of Maa Durga and bathe the statue with water. Make sure it wears new clothes and jewellery. Offer flowers, Kumkum, and holy Thread to her. Now offer lamp and incense sticks. Now chant aarti and recite mantras of goddess Durga.-
Om Dum Durgayai Namah
At last offer coconut to the idol and crack it after 15-20 minutes of worship. Now distribute sweets and Panchamrita to the devotees.
Apologize
Make an apology stating if you did any mistake while puja please forgive us.
This was all about Durga Puja. If you are facing any issues in life or want to add-on to the good days, we recommend you offer a Puja. Call our customer care and book Hindu Vedic Puja now.