Durga Puja -Rituals & Facts

Mahalaya

Mahalaya is celebrated before seven days of Durga puja celebration. As per hindu mythology tribhuvan (heaven, world & hell) became restless due to the oppression of demon king Mahisasura. The gods could not get along with him. It is believed that Goddess Durga was created by Bramha- Vishnu-Maheswar on the  day  of Mahalaya to conquer the demon Mahishasura . For that reason devotees mark this day as the appearance of Goddess Durga from Kailash to earth with her divine power. On  Mahalaya, artists only prepare the eyes of the Goddess Durga & fill colours them.

After a terrible war of nine days Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura. The next day she killed Mahishasura.  Hindus believe Maa Durga is a goddess of divine power & she always defeat evil power & save her devotees. Durga Puja celebrates all over the world by devotees.

Mahalaya  also known as the last day of Pitru Paksh.  Many individuals recollect their predecessors on this day and offer Tarpan or Shraddha to satisfy their spirits. This day the ghats of Ganges crowded by devotees.One of the most celebrated festivals across West Bengal  is Durga Puja. The festival of Durga Puja takes place during the season of autumn. This festival holds the emotion of a woman returning to her maternal house for a week which is portrayed through Goddess Durga’s stepping into the earth with her four children. Durga Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm and love all over India, but the real taste of Durga Puja, the fragrance of Kash full, the excitement and the lightning prevailing in the shorten to the shortest street lies in the city of joy, Kolkata.

An enriching history patiently hides behind this Durga Puja which waits to get revealed.

As per Hindu Mythology  the king of demons Mahishasura started thinking of a trick by which the Gods could be defeated. So he prayed to Brahma and ask him to bless him with such powers that no man, god, demons could defeat him. Acquiring such powers, he tried to attach and rule over the divine power. At that time Shiva, planned to introduce a female divine power with the collective energy of all Gods. They named her Goddess Durga and she brought an end to the king of demons Mahishasura , as he did not mention to Bramha that, no women should defeat him too.

            Tarpan-

Mahalaya descends Goddess Durga to to earth on the day of amavashya, which is known as mahalaya. In this day by honour and respect is offered to the ancestors. Early in the morning hindu mythologicalare played.

Bodhon-

 Six days latter Mahalay, on Maha Shasti, it is said that Goddess Durga enters in her idol among with her four children. Goddess’s face is uncovered and hence the glamourous celebration of Durga Puja starts.

Nabapatrika- MahaSaptami –

Before the break down, nine plants which resembles the nine form of Goddess Durga is bunched together. In front of GoddesssDurga’s idol a mirror is made to stand and the reflection of the mirror is give a bath.

1. Banana plant- Represents Goddess Brahmani
2. Colocasia plant- Goddess Kalika
3. Tumeric plant- Goddess Durga
4. Jayanti plant- Goddess KartikiAfter this they play with sindoor vermillion among the
5. Bel leaves- Lord Shiva
6. Pomegranate leaves- Goddess Raktadantika
7. Asoka leaves- Sokrahita
8. Arum plant- Chamunda
9. Rice paddy- Goddess Lakshmi

Sandhi Puja-

  Maha Nabami – At the exact movement of the ending of Ashtami and the beginning of Nabami, it is said that Goddess Durga assassinated the demon Mahishasura. The last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Nabami Sandhi Puja takes place.

Sindoor Khela-

Dashami- On the last day of Durga Puja, people bade Goddess Durga a goodbye, tinge of sindoor or vermilion on her forehead and a piece of sweet her lips is given by marraid women. After this they play with sindoor vermillion among themselves.