Thursday 22 October 2015

22nd OCTOBER 2015 DUSSEHRA/DASARA - VIJAYADASHAMI - MAA DURGA PUJA- SRI RAM SITA MILAN - RAVANA VADH (KILL)

Vijayadashami

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vijayadashami
विजयादशमी
Durga Puja DS.jpg
Also calledDussehra, Navratri ,Pranay
Observed byHindus
TypeReligious
SignificanceCelebrating victory of Shaktiover Mahishasura, of Lord Rama over Ravana, and ofDurga over demons like Mahishasura, Chanda-Munda and Shumbha- Nishumbha; that is victory of good over evil.
CelebrationsThis day marks the end ofDurga Puja so people immerse the idols and go to each others' house and exchange gifts and sweets.
ObservancesPutting Tilaka on forehead, prayers, religious rituals like burning an effigy of Ravana (see puja, prasad)
DateEvery year in October
2014 date4 October 2014
2015 date22nd October 2015, Thursday
23rd October 2015, Friday[1]
2016 date11th October 2016, Tuesday
Part of a series on
Hinduism
Om symbol.svg
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in various forms, across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit. Dasha-hara literally means Dashanan ravan (the name of Ravan and in short Dasha and Hara (defeat)) referring to Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana.[2]
The day also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. The name Dussehra is also derived from Sanskrit Ahaha, which means day. For example, Aharnisha is derived from Ahaha+nisha. The Goddess fought with evils for nine nights and ten days. The name Vijayadashami is also derived from the Sanskrit words "Vijaya-dashami", literally meaning the victory on the dashami (Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month). Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated twenty days after Dussehra.

Significance[edit]

Vijayadashami is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar which corresponds to September or October of the Gregorian calendar. The first nine days are celebrated as Maha Navratri(Devnagari: नवरात्रि, 'nine nights') or Sharada Navratri (the most important Navratri) and culminates on the tenth day as Dussehra.
In India and Nepal, the harvest season begins at this time and so the Mother Goddess is invoked to start the new harvest season and reactivate the vigor and fertility of the soil. This is done through religious performances and rituals which are thought to invoke cosmic forces that rejuvenate the soil. Many people of the Hindu faith observe through social gatherings and food offerings to the gods at home and in temples throughout India and Nepal.

Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana[edit]

See also: Ramayana, Shri Rama and Ravana
Effigy of Ravana burns
As per Hindu religion, on this day in the Treta Yug, King Rama, also called Shri Ram, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, killed Ravana who had abducted Rama's wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Rama, his brotherLakshmana, their follower Hanuman and an army fought a great battle to rescue Sita. The entire narrative is recorded in the epic Ramayana, a Hindu scripture.
Rama had performed "Chandi Homa" and invoked the blessings of Durga, who blessed Rama with secret knowledge of the way to kill Ravana. On the day of Ashvin Shukla Dashami, Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita. Thus it is termed as Vijaya Dashami. Based on the inferences from Valmiki’s Ramayana, Kalidas’s Raghuvamsa, Tulsidas’s Ram Charit Manas, and Keshavdas's Ram Chandra Yas Chandrika as well as common perception in India, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya on the 30th day of Ashwin (19–20 days after Vijayadashmi). To mark the return of Lord Rama, in the evening, the residents of Ayodhya lit their city with millions of earthen lamps (called Deepak). Since then, this day is celebrated in India as Deepawali or Diwali.
Many people perform "Aditya Homa" as a "Shanti Yagna" and recite Sundara Kanda of Srimad Ramayana for 5 days. These Yagna performances are thought to create powerful agents in the atmosphere surrounding the house that will keep the household environment clean and healthy.
Some householders perform Yagnas thrice daily along with Sandhya Vandana, which is also called Aahavaneeya Agni, Grahapatya Agni or Dakshina Agni. In addition, the Aditya Homa is performed with the Maha Surya Mantras and the Aruna Prapathaka of the Yajurveda. These mantras are believed to keep the heart, brain and digestive functions in balance in the absence of adequate sunlight in the winter months.

Victory of Durga Mata over Mahishasura[edit]

Main article: Mahishasura
See also: Maa Durga
Durga Puja at Bagbazar Sarbajanin, North Kolkata.
Some of the demons, or Asuras, were very powerful and ambitious and continually tried to defeat the Devas, or Gods, and capture Heaven. One Asura, Mahishasura, grew very powerful and created havoc on the earth. Under his leadership, the Asuras defeated the Devas. The world was crushed under Mahishasura's tyranny, the Devas joined their energies into Shakti, a single mass of incandescent energy, to kill Mahishasura.
A very powerful band of lightning emerged from the mouths of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and a young, beautiful female virgin with ten hands appeared. All the Gods gave their special weapons to her. This Shakti coalesced to form the goddess Durga. Riding on a lion, who assisted her, Durga fought Mahishasura. The battle raged for nine days and nights. Finally on the tenth day of Ashvin shukla paksha, Mahishasura was defeated and killed by Durga.
Hence Dasha-Hara is also known as Navratri or Durgotsav and is a celebration of Durga's victory. Durga, as Consort of Lord Shiva, represents two forms of female energy – one mild and protective and the other fierce and destructive.

Homecoming of Durga Mata[edit]

Main article: Maa Durga
Daksha, the Lord of the Earth, and his wife Prasuti, had a daughter called Sati. As a child, Sati started worshipping Lord Shiva as her would-be-husband. Lord Shiva was pleased with Sati's worship of him and married her. Daksha was against their marriage but could not prevent it. Daksha arranged a yagna to which everyone except Lord Shiva was invited. Sati, feeling ashamed of her father's behaviour and shocked by the attitude meted towards her husband, killed herself. Lord Shiva was anguished when he discovered this. He lifted Sati's body on his shoulders and started dancing. As the supreme power was dancing with wrath, the world was on the verge of destruction.
Then Lord Narayana came forward as a saviour and used his Chakra to cut Sati's body into pieces. Those pieces fell from the shoulders of the dancing Shiva and scattered throughout the Indian subcontinent. Shiva was pacified when the last piece fell from his shoulder. Lord Narayana revived Sati. The places where the pieces of Sati fell are known as the "Shakti Piths" or energy pits. Kalighat in Kolkata, Kamakshya near Guwahati and Vaishnav Devi in Jammu are three of these places.
In her next birth, Sati was born as Parvati or Shaila-Putri (First form of Durga), the daughter of Himavat, ruler of the Himalayas. Lord Narayana asked Shiva to forgive Daksha. Ever since, peace was restored and Durga with her children Kartikeya, Ganesh and her two sakhis – Jaya and Vijaya visit her parents each year during the season of Sharatkal or autumn, when Durga-Puja is celebrated.

End of Agyatawas of Pandavas[edit]

See also: Pandavas
In the age of Dvapara Yuga, Pandavas – the five acknowledged sons of Pandu (Sanskrit: पाण्डु ), by his wife Kunti – lost to Kauravas in a game of dice, and both spent twelve years of Vanawas, or exile to the forest, followed by one year of Agnyatawas. The brothers hid their weapons in a hole in a Shami tree before entering the Kingdom of Virat to complete the final year of Agnyatawas (exile incognito). After that year, on Vijayadashmi, they recovered the weapons, declared their true identities and defeated Kauravas, who had attacked King Virat to steal his cattle. Since that day, Shami trees and weapons have been worshipped and the exchange of Shami leaves on Vijayadashmi has been a symbol of good will and victory. This is also called Shami/Jambi Puja.

Kautsa's Guru Dakshina[edit]

Kautsa, the young son of a Brahmin called Devdatt, lived in the city of Paithan. After completing his education with Rishi Varatantu, he insisted on his guru accepting Guru Dakshina, a present. The guru said, "Kautsa, to give dakshina in return for learning wisdom is not appropriate. Graduation of the disciple makes the guru happy, and that is the real Guru Dakshina."
Kautsa was not satisfied. He still felt it was his duty to give his guru something. The guru said, "All right, if you insist on giving me dakshina, then give me 140 million gold coins, 10 million for each of the 14 sciences I have taught you."
Kautsa went to King Raghu. Raghuraja was an ancestor of Lord Rama, famous for his generosity. But just at that time he had spent all his money on the Brahmins, after performing the Vishvajit sacrifice. Raghuraja asked Kautsa to return in three days. Raghuraja immediately left to get the gold coins from Indra. Indra summoned Kuber, the god of wealth. Indra told Kuber, "Make rain full of gold coins, fall on the Shanu and Aapati trees around Raghuraja's city of Ayodhya."
The rain of gold coins began to fall. King Raghu gave all the coins to Kautsa, and Kautsa hastened to offer the coins to Varatantu Rishi. Guru had asked only 140 millions, so he gave the rest back to Kautsa. Kautsa was not interested in money, considering honour to be more valuable than wealth. He asked the king to take the remaining gold coins back. But the king refused, as kings do not take back the daan (gift).
Finally Kautsa distributed the gold coins to the people of Ayodhya on the day of Ashvin shukla dashami. In remembrance of this event, there has been a custom of plucking the leaves of the Aapati tree, and then people present these leaves to one another as gold.

Dasha-Hara in different parts of India[edit]

A scene of Dasratha sending his son Ram for training

Northern India[edit]

In Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and western Bihar, it is tradition to plant barley seeds in earthen pots on the first day of Navratri. On the day of Dasara, the nine-day-old sprouts (called noratras or nortas or of nav ratris or nine nights) are used as symbols of luck. Men place them in their caps or behind their ears.
In most of northern India and some parts of Maharashtra, Dasha-Hara is celebrated more in honour of Rama. During these 10 days many plays and dramas based on Ramayana are performed. These are called Ramlila. There are outdoor fairs and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a king of ancient Sri Lanka), his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghanad. The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening. After Dasara, the hot summer ends, especially in North India. The onset of cold weather is believed to encourage infections. The burning of the effigies, filled with firecrackers containing phosphorus, supposedly purifies the atmosphere, while the temples perform Chandi Homa or Durga Homa, with the same intent.
In the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, the Dasara festival starts with the performance of Ramlila which is unique as it is based on the musical rendering of the katha or story of Lord Rama. It is based on the theatrical traditions set by Uday Shankar during his stay in Almora; these traditions were further enriched by Mohan Upreti and Brijendra Lal Sah. Known as the Almora or Kumaon style, Ramlila has been recognised by UNESCO in its 2008 report as one of the representative styles of Ramlila in India.[3]

Himachal Pradesh[edit]

Main article: Kullu Dussehra
Kullu Dussehra is celebrated in Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan in the Kullu valley. Dussehra at Kullu commences on the tenth day of the rising moon, i.e. on 'Vijaya Dashami' day itself and continues for seven days. Its history dates back to the 17th century when local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath on his throne as a mark of penance. After this, god Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Valley.

Southern India[edit]

Vijayadashami is celebrated in various ways in different parts of South India. It is seen as a day to express gratitude to everything that bring success in life.[4] Celebrations can take many forms, ranging from worshipping the goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) to exhibiting colorful gift -,they also take admisson in school, celebrated as Golu in Karnataka,Kerala,Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu from Navratri onwards.
Navaratri Golu, dolls and figurine display festival for girls and women inSouth India
There is a legend related to the exhibition of toys that is known as "Bombe habba" in Karnataka, "Bommala Koluvu" in Andhra Pradesh,"Bomma Gollu"in Kerala and Golu or Kolu in Tamil Nadu. Since the goddess Durga needed tremendous power, all other gods and goddesses transferred their power to her and they all stood still as statues. To respect the self-sacrifice of these deities during the festival days, Hindus revere murities, which are small statues in the shape of particular gods and goddesses. Golu ends on dussera.
Vijayadashami is also the auspicious day for starting their formal education. Students keep their books and workers their tools for puja on the ninth day of Navratri (Ayudha Puja, Saraswathi Puja); these are taken back and used after puja on the tenth day (Vijayadasami). The practice is so old that in many parts of south India, even non-Hindus follow this tradition. In 2004, many churches in Kerala formally adopted the same tradition of introducing young children to education on Dussera day.
Effigy of Ravana to be burnt at Multipurpose Ground, South Goa – 2012
Vijayadashami has great importance in the Telugu household. For life events such as starting a new business/ venture, or buying a new home or vehicle, rituals take place on this auspicious day. They perform Ayudha Puja where they sanctify vehicles and other new items. In the evenings, a procession is taken up in all major cities where people dress up as characters from the Ramayana and perform stage shows called Ramlila. Huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit or Meghanada are burned, signifying victory of Lord Rama.
This festival is celebrated in all temples of Durgamata. Shodasa Upacharam is offered to her. During Navratri ("nine nights"), Goddess Durgamata is decorated in her different aspects like Bala Tripura Sundari, Mahishasura Mardhini, Annapoorna, Kali, Raja Rajeshwari, Kanaka Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Gayatri Devi. On the river banks of Krishna at Vijayawada, in an age-old temple of "Sri Durga Malleswar Swami" and on a hill called "Indra-Kila-Adri", Dasara & Navratri are celebrated every year with great pomp & show and tens of thousands of people visit this temple during this time. These celebrations are concluded on the tenth day of "Vijaya Dashami", which is usually a national holiday. In Vijayawada on Vijayadashami day, Teppa Utsavam is celebrated, in which Durga's image is placed on a big boat decorated with flowers and lights, is celebrated in the evening.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana[edit]

In Andhra and Telangana, younger family members usually pay respects to their elders by giving them the leaves of Shami tree/ Jambi tree, and seeking their blessing. The Durga temple in Warangal is located adjacent at the centre Badrakali Lake. Alampur Jogulamba Temple is one of the Astadasa Shaktipeethas, 18 prominent Temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It was also mentioned several times in ancient scriptures. Sharan Navaratri is the biggest festival at Alampur Jogulamba Temple. The concluding event, Theppotsavam (boat festival) is an eye-catching event held on Vijaya Dasami at Krishna – Thungabhadra sangamam (confluence of River Krishna and Tungabhadra). Women play Bathukamma by placing a clay pot decorated with flowers around which they dance.

Tamil Nadu and Kerala[edit]

The ninth day of the Navratri festival is celebrated as Saraswati Puja. The celebrations start with the Puja Veypu (Offering for Worship). It consists of placing the books for Pooja on the Navami day. It may be in one’s own house, in the local Nursery School run by traditional teachers, or in the local temple. The books will be taken out for reading, after worship, only on the morning of the third day (Vijaya Dashami). It is called Puja Eduppu (Taking back after Puja). On the Vijayadashami day, Vidyarambham also known as Initiation of Writing is celebrated where education for children is formally initiated before they are admitted to nursery schools. The child is made to write for the first time on the rice spread in a plate with the index finger, guided by an elder of the family or by a reputed teacher. Ayudha Puja , ayudha means tools, (a kind of Giving respect to the tools used for work) is also celebrated by business and industrial houses during this period.....

Western India[edit]

Maharashtra[edit]

Leaves of the Apta tree that are exchanged during Dasara
Saffron Marigold (Tagetes patula) flowers also known in Marathi asJhendu (झेंडू) assume special significance
In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin (which falls in October) according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar. These three and a half days in the Hindu Lunar calendar are considered very auspicious. On the day of Dasara,[5] the deities installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water. People visit each other and exchange sweets.
People worship the Apta tree (Piliostigma racemosum) and exchange its leaves (known as golden leaves) as a symbol of gold wishing each other a bright and prosperous future. The tradition of exchanging Apta leaves is symbolic of Raghuraja, an ancestor of Rama and Kubera. Many artisan communities ritually worship tools of all kinds and they are given rest on this specific day. The saffron-coloured Marigold are particularly associated with and sold in significant quantities during this festive period. They are used for both worship and decorating homes and work-places.[6]
On this day people also ritually cross the border of their community in a ceremony known as Simollanghan (Marathi: सीमोल्लंघन translation: crossing the border). This practice has its roots in the idea that this day is an auspicious one on which to start new ventures. In ancient times kings used the feast of Dasara to cross the frontier and fight against their neighbouring kingdoms. Thus Dasara also marks the beginning of the war season[citation needed].

Eastern India[edit]

Odisha[edit]

Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra is celebrated as Durga Puja in two different ways in Odisha. In major Shakti Peethas like Tara Tarini (Breast Shrine of Adi Shakti) and Bimala (Jagannath Temple) or other temples of the goddesses, the Durga Puja is observed with rituals for a period of 10 to 16 days, known as Shodasa Upachara. The goddess Durga is also worshiped by devotees in different pendals throughout the state. The pendals are beautifully decorated. The last day of the Sharodiya Durga Puja is known as Vijayadashami. After the last ritual Aparajita Puja is performed to the goddess, a tearful farewell is offered to her. The women offer Dahi-Pakhal(cooked rice soaked in water, with curd), Pitha (baked cakes), Mitha (sweets) and fried fish to the Goddess. Most of the community pujas postpone the farewell as long as possible and arrange a grand send-off. The images are carried in processions known as Bhasani Jatra or Bisarjan Jatra around the locale and finally are immersed in a nearby river or lake. After the immersion of the deity, people across the state celebrate Ravan Podi, in which they burn an effigy of the demon Ravan.

Bengal[edit]

Sindur being applied on the forehead of Goddess Durga during Vijaya Dashami.
In Bengal, Dussehra is celebrated as Durga Puja. Deities of the goddess Durga are worshipped for five days, and on the fifth day (Vijaya Dashami) immersed in a river or pond. This is referred as Durga Bisarjan/Bhashaan. In Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha, the goddess Kali, an appellation of Durga, is also worshipped as a symbol of Shakti (Power).

Ashok Vijaya Dashmi[edit]

The Ambedkarite people in India celebrate this festival as Ashok Vijayadashmi, since the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka is believed to have converted to Buddhism on this day.[7] Also Dr. Ambedkar had converted to Buddhism on this day at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur in 1956, which fell on 14 October in that year.
Nowadays Ashok Vijaya Dashmi is being celebrated all over India by the followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. The grand festival and congregation is held at Nagpur, Maharashtra, where millions of people gather to remember the Dhhamma-Chakra Pravartan done by Dr Ambedkar and to celebrate Ashoka Vijayadashami. These people do not burn an effigy of Ravana.
Ambedkarite people celebrate it by organizing community celebrations, with speeches and meals. It also accompanied by entertainment programs based on Buddhist themes. In some places it is a full day program.

Other Dusshera celebrations[edit]

Vishwakarma Divas[edit]

Dasha-Hara is also Vishwakarma Divas, the National Labor Day of India. Veda Vyasa is considered the foremost guru, and Vijayadashami is also celebrated as Vyasa puja.

Dasain in Nepal[edit]

Main article: Dasain
An elder of the family doing tika ritual to the younger
Vijayadashami (विजयादशमी) or Dasain (दशैं) is the biggest festival of the year in Nepal that falls in September/October and is celebrated by Hindu and non-Hindu Nepalis. Among the Newars, it is known as Mohani. The 10th day of Dasain is Vijayadashami, on which elders put Tika and Jamara on the forehead of younger members of the family. Jamara is sown on the first day of the festival which becomes greenish yellow of about 10–20 cm length which represent symbol of victory. Some ethnic groups receive Tika and Jamara only on the 10th day whereas others continue to receive until the following full moon. Depending upon the relationship, people offer 'Dakshina' after receiving the Tika and Jamara. On the eighth day of the festival, people offer sacrifice of goats, buffalo, chicken etc. to goddess Durga. Meat is heavily consumed after the sacrifice taken as the gift of god. People visit their relatives and exchange greetings throughout the 15 days of the festival. Temples of goddess Durga are crowded throughout the days of the festival in different parts of the country. For many people and specially children, buying of new clothes bears special importance. Since the expenditure during the days of the festival is significant, many poor people find it difficult to manage. Nepal observes the longest holidays of the year and highest mobility of the people during these days as people visit their relatives. In the past, until the fall of Monarchism in 2008, the only Hindu Monarch on the Planet, the King of Nepal, used to put tika on the foreheads of the people.

Dussehra in Bangladesh[edit]

In Bangladesh, it is a five-day-long festival and is celebrated in mandaps (congregation). The largest festival is held at Dhakeshwari temple and Ramkrishna missionary in Dhaka. On the day of Dasha-Hara, clay statues of the Goddess Durga are submerged in rivers. The pooja is performed with turmeric and other pooja items, which are added to the river in order to help the water yield better crops.

Punjabi Harvest[edit]

On the first day of Navratri people in Punjab sow pulses, cereals and other seeds in a pot which is watered for nine days at the end of which the seeds sprout. This custom is known as "Khetri". It signifies prosperity and abundance. It is very important to plant grains of barley in a pot. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3 - 5 inches in length. After saying prayers, these seedlings or the "Khetri" is submerged in water on Dussehra. This custom suggests a link to harvesting. The sowing and reaping of barley is symbolic of the "first fruit".[8]
Accordingly, Punjabi farmers harvest the kharif crop after Dussehra with the rabi crop being planted after Diwali. Alankarams:
Day 1 -SRI SWARNA KAVACHALAKRUTA DURGA DEVI
Day 2 - SRI BALA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI
Day 3 - SRI ANNAPURNA DEVI
Day 4 - SRI GAYATRI DEVI
Day 5- SRI LALITHA TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI
Day 6 - SRI SARASWATI DEVI
Day 7 - SRI MAHA LAKSHMI DEVI
Day 8 - SRI DURGA DEVI
Day 9 - SRI MAHISHASURA MARDHINI DEVI
Day 10 - SRI RAJA RAJESWARI DEVI
Note: Alankarams may change according to Thidis and nakshatrams every year

 BY 

Memories of Durga Puja at Kolkata!!!

Its Mahalaya today, the day when its said Maa Durga starts her journey from Kailash to visit us all. Last many years I have been part of this big festival of Bengalis, got involved so much that last year I recall many commented I become more of a bengali during this festival than Himachali. :-D
This year being so far off from Kolkata I really feel nostalgic. Its a fact, Durga Puja anywhere other than Kolkata (Bengal) is not the same. The festival has a completely different charm there. That booming sound of “Dhak”, the “Ulu’s” by women, the reverbating sound of “Shankha”, the chantings and “Ghonta” of priests, they all ushers an atmosphere of pure bhakti, joy and bliss. And this does not start with Mahalaya or Shashti. It starts with Dashami. Yes friends, on Vijaya Dashami, when Maa leaves for Kailash, after immersion the first thing we say – Just 365 more days and pujo comes. That is how I have always waited for Durga pujo every year.
Shiuli flower, blooming of the same passes the message Maa Durga is coming soon.
Its on the day of Jagannath Snan that making of our idol used to get started with tying of dry paddy plants to the main wooden structure. Today Mahalaya and we would have “Luchi” and “Chhola Daal” with jelebis. Mahalaya breakfast without “Jilipi”, nah, never!!! Early morning and throughout the day you would hear mahisasur mardini being played at different “Para Pujo”. Pandals are almost ready and puja committee people are busy getting things finalised.
Panchami night our guru Maa would adorn the idol with special “Abhushan” and “Ashtra”. Bodhon as we called it and Sree Sree Maa would infuse “Pran” and shakti into the idol.
Kash, the sachharum flowers. They also mark the coming of Durga. Fields full of Kash flowers and sky turning red in the evening, bengalis say its because Maa Durga is fighting everything evil and making plans to visit us. Kash flowers are blooming to welcome the Goddess.
On the beat of Dhak, and other instruments, its always something I looked forward to. After that there would be no sleep whole night. Next day Shashti, early morning before sun rises we would be going to the Ganges on lorry. “Kola Bou Snan”, after which the actual puja starts. A Banana plant is taken and bathed, drapped with a yellow red border new saree. Giving it the look of a newly wed bride!!!
Saptami through Dashami, puja continues with us all busy, running around, not just with pujo arrangements but also pushpanjali. Food being an important part of pujas. Saptami used to be Khichuri, Labda, Beguni. Ashtami was luchi and special bhog. Nawami was special with a special “Payesh” bhog from Sree Sree Maa besides pulao, paneer, cauliflower preparation, chutni and papad. The taste of all these food still lingers now while I write, miss them all today!!! :-(
Shandhi puja on all these days have been a special attraction for me. Besides ofcourse the Yagna. More than 200 people sitting together and chanting the
Aparajita, another flower closely associated with Durga Puja. And I love the long garland made from this flower for Maa Durga on Navami. Then on Dashami, Aparajita plant puja is done as the flower is considered to be mark of Shakti.
mantras while yagna is done, it would bring in a feeling I can’t even put down in words. Pandal hopping late night and having all junk food through out the night, that was added attraction. :-D
Dashami and the “Sindor” khela, that is a spectacle never to be missed. Women besides putting sindur on Maa Durga, get down to play holi with the same sindur. And then comes the moment of truth, Maa with her children would be leaving for Kailash!! Its time for immersion or as said “Bishorjon”. Sree Sree Maa does the “Boron” and bids  Maa Durga goodbye with specially made sweets and “Paan” at ashram. Few with strength and few others with lot of advises and instructions, Maa and her children are loaded on lorry without any damage. We all would also board the lorries with Dhak and start towards  Ganges while dancing on the beats of dhak. And then the immersion. The idols would be next boarded on boats and taken to the middle of the river where now Maa is bidden farewell, with the hope, she’ll be back after just 365 days. “Shanti Jol” is collected and we all get back with shouts “Durga mai ki Jai” and “Ashche bachor abar ashbe”.
Bisarjan, immersion of Maa Durga idol. This is something which always left me very sad. I recall times when I even shed tears while bidding her good bye.

51 SHAKTI PEETHAS

VISHALAKSHI MANIKARNIKA OR VISHALAKSHI MANIKARNI SHAKTI PEETH – 5TH AMONG 51 SHAKTI PEETHAS

Vishalakshi Manikarnika or Vishalakshi Manikarni Shakti Peeth is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas mentioned in the Puranas.  It is said that karna kundala (earring) of Devi Sati fell here. Hence Devi Maa here is also known as Manikarni or Manikarnika. The Puranas say that this city exists even after the Pralaya. The famous place […]

SHREE PARVAT OR SHRIPARVATA SHAKTI PEETH LADAKH – 4TH AMONG 51 SHAKTI PEETHAS

Shree Parvat or Shriparvata Shakti Peeth is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where the right anklet of Goddess Sati have fallen. Here the worship of idols are – Devi as Shree Sundari (beautiful) and Lord Shiva as as Sundaranand (the handsome one). The place is situated in Ladakh (Kashmir). Another belief: at Srisailam in […]

MAHISHAMARDINI SHIVAHARKARAY OR KARAVIPUR SHAKTI PEETH – 3RD AMONG 51 SHAKTI PEETHAS

Shivaharkaray or Karavipur is a Shakti Peeth dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga located near Parkai railway station, near Karachi, Pakistan. As per Puranas the three eyes of the Devi Sati fell here. The Goddess is worshiped as Mahishamardini or the slayer of the Demon Mahishasur and and Shiva as Krodhish (the one who can […]

UMA SHAKTI PEETH VRINDAVAN – 2ND AMONG 51 SHAKTI PEETHAS

Uma Shakti Peetha located in Vrindavan is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas where the ‘Ringlets of Hair’ of Devi Sati have fallen. Here the worship idols are – Devi as Uma (also known as another name of Goddess Parvati) and Lord Shiva as Bhootesh.   The location of temple is very clear in Vrindavan, near […]

KIRITESHWARI, KIRITKONA, MUKUTESHWARI – 1ST AMONG 51 SHAKTI PEETHAS

Kiriteshwari or Kiritkona also known as Mukuteshwari One of the 51 Shaktipithas where the Kirit (the crown or headdress) of Goddess Sati have fallen. Here the worship idols are – Devi as Vimala and Lord Shiva as Sangbarta. Maa Kiriteshwari’s temple is main temple in the town. The unique feature of the temple is the […]

51 SHAKTI PEETHAS OF MAA DURGA – MAA SATI, DAKSHAYANI

Maa Sati also known as Dakshayani is a Hindu Goddess of marital felicity and longevity. She is worshiped particularly by Hindu women to seek the long life of their husbands. An aspect of Devi, Sati is the first consort of Shiva, the second being Parvati, the reincarnation of Sati herself. In the Satya Yuga, Daksha […]

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