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DURGA PUJA
OR NAVARATRI
SALUTATIONS
to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in
the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the
consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys
the universe.This festival is observed twice a year, once
in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja. It lasts for
nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Durga.
During Navaratri (the word literally means "nine nights")
devotees of Durga observe a fast.
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Brahmins are
fed and prayers are offered for the protection of health
and property.The beginning of summer and the beginning of
winter are two very important junctions of climatic and
solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred
opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. They
are indicated respectively by the Rama-Navaratri in
Chaitra (April-May) and the Durga Navaratri in Aswayuja
(September-October). The bodies and minds of people
undergo a considerable change on account of the changes in
Nature. Sri Rama is worshipped during Ramnavmi, and Mother
Durga during Navaratri.
The Durga Puja is celebrated in various parts of India in
different styles. But the one basic aim of this
celebration is to propitiate Shakti, the Goddess in Her
aspect as Power, to bestow upon man all wealth,
auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge (both sacred and
secular), and all other potent powers. Whatever be the
particular or special request that everyone may put before
the Goddess, whatever boon may be asked of Her, the one
thing behind all these is propitiation, worship and
linking oneself with Her. There is no other aim. This is
being effected consciously or unconsciously. Everyone is
blessed with Her loving mercy and is protected by Her.
Durga Puja
or Navaratri commences on the first and ends on the tenth
day of the bright half of Aswayuja (September-October). It
is held in commemoration of the victory of Durga over
Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. In Bengal Her image
is worshipped for nine days and then cast into water. The
tenth day is called Vijaya Dasami or Dussera (the "tenth
day"). Processions with Her image are taken out along the
streets of villages and cities. The mother of Durga (that
is, the wife of the King of the Himalayas) longed to see
her daughter. Durga was permitted by Lord Shiva to visit
her beloved mother only for nine days in the year. The
festival of Durga Puja marks this brief visit and ends
with the Vijaya Dasami day, when Goddess Durga leaves for
Her return to Mount Kailas. This is the view of some
devotees. In Bengal, Durga Puja is a great festival.
All who live away from home return during the Puja days.
Mothers reunite with their sons and daughters, and wives
with their husbands. The potter shows his skill in
making images, the painter in drawing pictures, the
songster in playing on his instrument, and the priest in
reciting the sacred books. The Bengalis save money
throughout the year only to spend everything during the
Puja days. Cloth is freely distributed to the Brahmins. |
