Customs And Rituals Of Durga Puja
Durga Puja or Bengalis' Durgotshab, is the greatest annual festival in the eastern region of India
, mainly in West Bengal. Starting from Mahalaya or Debipokkho (Fortnight of the Goddess) this amazing festivity continues until the immersion of the Durga idol i.e. on Vijaya Dashami. Though this eminent festival is five day long but the zeal takes a flying start months before. Mahalaya, the no-moon day(Amavyasa) of the month of Ashwin, marks the beginning of the Durga puja festivities. Then after six days, the Durgotshob starts with Panchami (fifth day) and ends with Dashami (tenth day). Though the main rituals starts from the seventh day from Mahalaya, that is from Saptami, for the mass, the festivity begins from the fifth day (Maha Shasti). For these six consecutive days, Bengal and Bengalis engross themselves in a week-long gala festival marked by unbound fun, frolic and feasting.
The following paragraphs discuss about the customs and rituals of a traditional Durga Puja. In case if you are wondering when is Durga Puja 2010, then it is to inform you that this year, Durga Puja starts from 14th October, 2010 and ends on 17th October, 2010.
Maha Shashti ~ According to the Hindu mythology, on this day, Goddess Durga from her ethereal adobe comes to the earth, accompanied by her four children. Devotees on this earth welcomes the Divine Mother with the dhak beats and great pomp. On this day the ritual of unveiling the face of the idol is performed which is considered as the most significant ritual of the day. This face unveiling ritual is followed by some other meaningful rituals like Bodhon, Amontron and Adhibas. Finally the main Durga puja commences.
Maha Saptami ~ Traditionally Saptami is considered as the first day of Durga Puja. Nabapatrika or Kola-Bou, is given a holy bath when the first rays of the sun kiss the surface of the earth. Then the tree-goddess is dressed in a yellow silk sari with a red border and it is placed beside Lord Ganesha. Subsequently, the ritual of worshipping of nine types of plants is performed. These nine types of plants are worshipped as nine different avatars of Durga. After this Kalparambha and Mahasnan, Maha Saptami puja begins.
Maha Ashtami ~ The next day is Maha Ashtami which starts with reciting holy hymns from Sanskrit scriptures. Thousands of people take part in this recital and offer Anjali to the Goddesses and Gods. This is a very popular part of the whole puja. Kumari Puja or worshipping little girls as Devi Maa is probably the most significant part of the rituals performed on this day. Another main part of Durga puja i.e. Sandhi Puja is performed in the evening of Maha Ashtami. Sandhikhhon is a point of time when Maha Ashtami ends and Maha Navami begins. Thousands of diyas are illuminated, hom-yajna is perfomed as it marks the sacrifice of the buffalo demon king, Mahishasura.
Maha Navami ~ The ninth day of Durga Puja is Maha Navami. The end of Sandhi Puja marks the beginning of Maha Navami. By performing Maha Arti the priest brings a formal end of the religious customs of Durga Puja. The rest of the day observes a grand celebration and merrymaking among the common people. Bhog is offered to the Gods and Goddesses. Afterwards, this bhog is partaken by all as Maha Prasad.
Vijaya Dashami ~ The last and final day of Durga Puja, Dashami is a day when everybody bids adieu to the Mother Goddess with a heavy heart. Dashami paints the city in a morose shade of crimson red of sindur where amidst the melancholic beats of dhaak and thick smoke of dhuno, Devi Durga returns to her heavenly adobe. The tearful farewell is known as Visarjan. In this grand send-off, the idols of Durga and her children are brought to a riverside to immerse it in the water. After this immersion ceremony people greet each other hearty Bijaya wishes.
Today, this carnivalesque celebration of Durga Puja can be observed in different parts of the globe. The Bengali communities abroad make it a point to celebrate this extravagant festival with same vim and brio. It brings some nostalgic moments of their childhood days. If you are one who is settled abroad and away from your family in India on Durga Puja, then make sure you send some gifts to India online and convey the heartfelt wishes. Cherish those sweet memories by sending Durga Puja gifts to your loved ones in India. The premier online gift portal, GiftstoIndia24x7.com offers you an extensive collection of Durga Puja special gift items from which you can choose and send gifts to India.
Considering the whooping number of Indians now being settled abroad, GiftstoIndia24x7.com also facilitates e-gifting to offshore countries as USA, Canada and UK. Send gifts to USA or to UK or to any offshore countries through GiftstoIndia24x7.com. So send gifts to USA wrapped with Durga Puja wishes. Let material barriers of distance and spaces fade; express the innermost feelings of the heart.
Festivals epitomize the rich cultural heritage of India and gifting has been an inseparable part of all Indian festivals. This Durga Puja, send gifts through GiftstoIndia24x7.com and spread the happy spirit all over!
by: Vishal Shetty
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