Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shakti rupena sangsthita
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, matri rupena sangsthita
Yaa devi sarva bhuteshu, buddhi rupena sangsthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha
With Durga Puja only a week away, the pujo-pujo gondho is everywhere.
I am sure even the last-minute plans have started to take better shapes.
Durga Puja, also known as Sharodotsav is an annual festival that is celebrated during the autumn (Sharat) season around the world mainly in the eastern states of India such as West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar, and Bangladesh. It is a festival where devotees pray to Goddess Durga, the ten-armed goddess. Goddess Durga is associated with protection, strength, and destruction.
To the 266 million Bengalis around the world, Durga puja is more than a festival. It is an emotional roller-coaster with several heaps of happy moments and sadness on the last day. During the nine festival days; every Bengali’s heart echoes to the tune of ‘Dhak’, ‘shonkho’ and ‘uludhoni’.
In this blog, we will share six interesting things related to Durga Puja and the Bengali community:
1) What is Mahalaya and what is its significance?
Mahalaya marks the end of Pitru Paksha Shraddha and the beginning of the auspicious Durga puja festival which falls on Sarvapitri Amavasya (new moon) in the month of Bhadrapada.
It is believed that on this day, Devi Durga starts her descent from her mythological home in Mount Kailash, to visit her maternal home on Earth along with her four children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesha.
On this day, it is a tradition in every Bengali house to listen to ‘Chandi path’ or the chants of ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ in the wee hours. Radios and television echo with the unified sound of the chants across Bengali households.
Mahalaya is special for a ritual called ‘ChoukhuDaan’, when artisans do the final touches and paint the eyes on the idols of Durga Maa.
(Image credits: http://www.pixabay.com)
Mahalaya also marks an important day for Hindus where a ritual called ‘tarpan’ is performed by offering water and food to their dead ancestors.
2) Why is Maa Durga referred to as ‘Mahishasura Mardini’?
The reference of ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ is related to the birth of Devi Durga. Having received a boon from Lord Brahma that neither a man nor a God could kill him, Mahishasura considered himself immortal and along with this Asura troops were creating havoc on ‘Trilok’ (the three worlds- Heaven, earth, and hell). Hoping to find a solution, The Tridevas (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh) then using their supreme powers together created Devi Durga.
Mahishasura, on the other hand, being blinded by his power was mocking at the very thought of fighting a woman. The battle between the two continued, and when Asura changed to its original form of a Mahish (buffalo), Maa Durga swiftly beheaded him freeing everyone from the havoc of the tyrant.
Hence, Maa Durga came to be known as ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ (The Killer of Mahishasura). The killing scene is what we see as the most common form of Maa Durga idol being worshiped during the auspicious Durga Puja festival.
3) Why soil from brothels is used to make the idols of Durga puja?
Using soil from brothels, also called ‘Nishiddho pallis’ (forbidden lanes) is a century-old ritual. It includes a collection of ‘punya maati’ (sacred soil) by a priest. According to traditions, a priest needs to obtain this soil from a brothel after begging from a sex worker.
The mud is then mixed with mud from the holy banks of river Ganga, cow dung, cow urine, husk, and straws, which are then used to carve out exquisite pieces of idols by artisans and prayed during the puja.
4) What is the symbolism of the ten arms of Goddess Durga?
In Hindu Mythology, Goddess Durga is considered to be one of the most powerful avtars symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
Devi Maa’s power is symbolical to each one of us, the strength that lies in us to fight the bad.
Goddess Durga’s ten arms hold various weapons to fight wars against evil, showcasing the strength of shaktis that a human possesses. The ten arms also symbolise that she protects her devotees from eight directions and the sky and the earth.
The ten weapons held by her ten arms were gifted from other gods in heaven (Vaikunth) to help her fight the war against Mahishashur:
i) Trident (Trishul)
ii) Sword (Kharag)
iii) Conch (Shankha)
iv) Bow and Arrow (Dhanuk)
v) Discus (Sudarshan Chakra)
vi) Flame (Agni)
vii) Spear
viii) Snake
ix) Half bloomed lotus
x) Thunderbolt (Vajra)
5) Who do Bengalis eat non-vegetarian when most others fast during Navratri?
The nine-day festive period of Durga Puja is celebrated as Navratri by non-Bengalis and it is a period when people give up eating non-vegetarian food and even strictly refrain from the consumption of alcohol and other such substances.
On the other hand, Bengalis are seen feasting and gorging on non-vegetarian food. Why the difference you ask?
Here are a few theories to explain that:
- During the earlier days, animals were sacrificed and offered to the goddess to appease her. The meat was later distributed to all as prasad.
- It is believed that Durga Maa and Chandika Devi are fond of meat and wine. As a customary practice in a Bengali household, when a daughter visits her maternal home, it is considered a celebration time and family members prepare the best dishes that they like to feast on- meat, fish, and sweets.
As per Mythology, Durga Puja symbolizes the celebration when Devi Durga visits her maternal home on Earth along with her four children. Hence the entire community celebrates the time by feasting on their favourite foods.
6) The five days of Durga Puja: Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Nabami, Dashami and their significance
Durga Puja is a ten-day festival where the last five days involve rituals and practices.
During Saptami, Ashtami and Nabami, devotees pay respect to the goddess in pandals through a ceremony called Pushpanjali (shortened to ‘anjali’- floral offerings made to the goddess). Pushanjali is always performed in the scheduled morning hours during which mantras are chanted. It is customary for devotees to fast until Pushpanjali is offered to the goddess.
Shashti (also referred to as ‘Maha Shashti’): The sixth day is referred to as Shashti which marks the entry of Durga Maa into her abode. On this day, Goddess Durga along with her children are welcomed by playing ‘Dhak’ and processions.
In the evening of Shashti, a ceremony called ‘Bodhon’ is performed which is the awakening of the goddess for the seventh, eighth and ninth day of puja. Bodhon is marked by a ceremonial puja during which Durga Maa’s face is unveiled in pandals. The goddess is also gifted weapons on this day to kill the demon, Mahishasura.
Saptami (also referred to as ‘Maha Saptami’): Celebrated on the seventh day, Saptami marks the start of Durga Puja. The day is marked by a ritual called ‘Mahasnan’ involving bathing of the Devi and performing ceremonial aartis. It is believed that Maa Durga started the epic battle against Mahshasura on this day.
Other rituals performed on Sapatami include ‘Kola bau’ or Navapatrika, and Prana Prathishta.
Astami (also referred to as ‘Maha Astami’ or ‘Maha Durgastami’): Falling on Ashtami tithi, the eighth day of Durga Puja is referred as Ashtami or Maha Durgastami. Astami is the day when Durga Puja is in full grandeur. The day is marked by a special puja called ‘Kumari Puja’ where a pre-pubescent girl is worshipped as the living incarnation of the Goddess.
Sandhi Puja is performed as Ashtami ends and Navami begins. It is conducted during the evening hours and marks the time when Devi Maa emerged in her Chamunda form (Chandiavatar) to kill the demons Chanda (Chando) and Munda (Mundo), the two allies of Mahishasura, who attacked her from behind during their epic battle.
Nabami (also referred to as ‘Maha Nabami’): The ninth day of the puja is called Navami which is celebrated with a series of pujas including Boli and Homa. Boli is a sacrificial tradition done to appease the goddess. In the present day, a pumpkin or sugarcane is usually used to mark the ritual.
Navami evenings are celebrated with ‘dhunuchi-nach’, a dance form performed using a clay pot incense burner.
Dashami (also referred to as ‘Bijoya Dashami’): On the tenth day, Dashami also known as Bijoya Dashami (victory on the tenth day) is celebrated symbolizing the victory of good over evil. This day marks the return journey of Devi back home in Kailasha. Rituals such as Sidoor Khela (married women playing with red vermillion) and Bisorjon/ Bhasan (immersion of the Goddess idol) are performed on this day to bid farewell to Durga Maa. Greeting each other ‘Subho Bijoya’ and distributing sweets is customary on this day.
It is an emotional moment for many to see Devi Maa leaving after days of celebrations.
The farewell day ends on a melancholy note with a feeling of emptiness seeing Maa Durga’s bisharjon and a silent prayer from every devotee wishing her to come sooner the following year with the roaring chant, ‘Asche bochor abaar hobe!‘.
Here is a bonus audio track for you to completely immerse yourself in the spirit of Durga Puja.
What are your best memories of Durga Puja? Share with us in the comments below.
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