Aparna MudiDurga Puja and
Navratra are simultaneously celebrated all over India just before the advent of winters. Hence the time is known as
Sharad Navratra. It is not the time of the year when the mood of festivities catches on like wild fire and everybody regardless of who they are and where they are in India join the celebration. Durga Puja is the celebration of the Goddess in all her different forms. Whether it is called
Navratra or
Durga Puja, the ten days are days of reverence to the woman who is pure energy – without whom even the gods cannot sustain.
The festivities
Durga Puja last for ten days, however the main ritual is only for the last four days. Each day of
Durga Puja has a special significance and the preparation for the festivals begin months before the festival.
On the day of the
‘Rath Yatra’ or the Chariot Festival, the artisans make the foundation for the
Pratima – Durga effigy. Part of the clay used in the festival is brought with the blessings of Courtesans or sex workers, signifying the all encompassing love of the mother. Some people also believe it is because, courtesans are believed to be adept at all the arts. A special
puja is done before the collection of the clay.
The
Pratima is made over the next two months by skilful craftsmen who have been doing this work for generations. They have mastered the art of making beautiful effigies, which in themselves are exquisite pieces of art.
Mahalaya day, or the first day of
Durgotsav, is the day the Goddess is invited to come to earth with her children with
Agomoni. It is the last day of the
Pitri Paksha and the day of new moon. Historically this day has come to be associated with
‘Mahisasur Mardini’, an All India Radio program that plays the
Chandi Path and
Bhakti songs in Bengali in West Bengal and in Hindi all over India.
The
‘Chakkhu Daan’ - literally, the giving of eyes ritual, happens on the day of Mahalaya. The eyes of the
Devi are drawn on this day. This ritual signifies the spirit of the Goddess getting instilled in the clay effigy.
India celebrates
Durga Puja wherein the community comes together for a
‘Sarbojanin Puja’ - community worship. Huge decorative structures called
‘Pandals’ are constructed for the prayers, bhog and cultural functions. These
pandals are mostly temporary structures and are made especially for the festival.
On the sixth day of the moon called
Shasthi, Durga is welcomed with a ritual called
‘Bodhon’ in which the
Pratima is unveiled for the public. Mothers fast for their children and their wellbeing. The fast is broken in the evening with fruits, vegetable and
luchis/ pooris. The next day,
Saptami starts with the bath of
‘Kola Bou’ – Banana Plantain. The twigs of white
aparajita plant along with nine bunches of yellow threads are used to tie the
Nabapatrika and then it is bathed in holy water.
Nabapatrika or the nine plants of worship depicts nine forms of goddess
Durga. The banana plant represents Goddess
Brahmani, the Colacassia plant represents Goddess
Kalika, the Turmeric plant symbolises Devi
Durga, the
Jayanti plant denotes
Kartiki, the Wood apple represents Goddess
Shivaa (another name for
Durga), the Pomegranate represents
Raktadantika, the Ashoka tree symbolizes
Sokrahita, and the Arum plant represents
Chamunda and the Rice plant Goddess
Lakshmi.
This ritual predates the
Durga Puja Celebration as it derives from the nature worshipping rituals of the farming communities in east India, as this time also coincides with harvest time.
Ashtami is the most important day of
Durga Puja.
Pushpanjali (offerings of flowers) is offered in the morning and
Aarati is done by the priest. This is also the day of
Pran Pratishthan – infusing of life in the
murti. In this ritual the
Pratima is reflected on a wide bowl of water.
At the time when
Navami begins and
Ashtami ends,
Sandhi Puja is performed. It was at this moment
Devi Durga transformed into
Devi Chamunda to kill
‘Chand’ and
‘Mund’, the two generals of the demon
Mahishasura . A 108
diyas are lit during the
Sandhi Puja and
dhak is played with fervency and people dance to the beats.
It is customary to perform a sacrifice during the
Sandhi Puja. Obviously only a symbolic animal sacrifice is perform these days with vegetables like banana, cucumber or pumpkin.
Subhasini Puja, Kanya Puja, and
Dampati Puja are observed on
Mahanavami day in
Navratri. On this day, the goddess
Durga is worshipped in the form of
Aparajita, and is offered sugarcane stalks. This day signifies
Durga`s victory over
Mahishasur (The Buffalo Demon). This the last day of last day of
Durga Puja and a
Navami Bhog is served to the people. Goddess
Durga is offered food which is later distributed among the devotees. The ninth day of
Navaratri is also called the
Ayudha Puja. This is the day we worship our tools and instruments, and other objects used in daily life because they help us achieve our goals. It is the manifestation of our earthly being.
Dashami is the day when Goddess
Durga and her children set off for
Kailash, her husband`s abode. Starting with
Sindur Khela – married women play with vermillion like on
Holi, and apply it on each other and give sweets to each other. This day is also called the
Vijaya Dashami, celebrating the victory of
Durga over the
Mahisasur.
The clay idol of
Durga is immersed in the Hoogly or a nearby river or water body in the rest of the country. After the immersion people greet each other with
Bijoya greetings, and the young seek blessings from the elders.
The ten days of
Durga Puja is not just a religious ritual following, it encompasses everybody around without discrimination. The community celebrates it signifying its unity, love and passion. The various cultural aspects are also a big part of the whole celebration, the music the passion of the
dhakis, the
pandal and its decor, are all a part of the festivities.
The 10 days of the
Navratras and the
Durga Puja are a big part of any Indian family. And the rituals signify the greatness womanhood and the energy of the universe. May this energy permeate this
Navratra and spread around the blessings of love and peace all over the world.
