More on Durga Puja
The chants of various hymns of “Mahishasura Mardini” remind one that Durga Puja is approaching. Mahalaya ushers in the aura of this grand festival, an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the puja. The countdown for Durga Puja begins much earlier from the day of Janmashtami. On the day of Mahalaya, people offer “tarpan” in memory of their deceased forefathers.The inauguration of the goddess idol starts on Mahashasti. The main puja is for three days - Mahasaptami, Mahaashtami, Mahanabami.According to the Hindu mythology, a demon named Mahishasura, earned a special boon from Lord Shiva after a long and hard penance that no man or deity would be able to kill him and that only a woman could defeat him. Arrogant Mahishasura was very pleased with this boon as he thought a woman can never be successful against him. He started killing people mercilessly, reigning terror over the universe. Next, he even reached heaven and conquered it. This defeat of the gods made them take refuge under Lord Brahma, who took them to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Pure energy blazed forth from Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the trinity forming the pure energy of Godhood, concentrating on one - the form of Goddess Durga. Ultimately Mother Goddess Durga was created, her face reflected the light of Shiva, ten arms were from Lord Vishnu, feet from Lord Brahma, legs from Varuna, the god of oceans, waist from the light of Indra, the king of gods, hip from the light of Bhoodev and the triad of her eyes from the energy of Agni, the fire god. Next, she was gifted the weapons in her battle with the demon, Mahishasura. Vishnu gave her a disc, Varuna gave a conch, Agni gifted a spear, arrows were given by Vayu, the god of wind, the king of gods, Indra gave her a thunderbolt and a bell was gifted by Airavata. She received a sword and a shield from Yama and an axe and armour from the god of architecture, Vishwakarma. She was gifted jewels and a lion to ride on by the god of mountain, Himavat. At last, the powerful trident was gifted by Lord Shiva. Now our devoted mother was ready to engage in battle with the cruel Mahishasura. Her breath replenished her armies bringing them back to life. No demon could fight her and win which shocked Mahishasura. He took on the form of a demonic buffalo and charged at the divine soldiers of Durga killing many. As he was to face Durga, he assumed the form of a lion when our divine mother beheaded it. Next, he escaped in the form of a man and was immediately face to face with a volley of arrows from Durga. Again, he escaped and assumed the form of a huge elephant but Durga hacked the tusk into pieces with her sword. Once more the demon took the form of wild buffalo and hurled boulders on Durga as he hid behind the mountains. Durga then drank the divine nectar, the gift of Kuber and then pushing Mahishasura to the ground with her left leg pounced on him. She pierced him with her sharp trident gifted by Lord Shiva. Thus, at last he fell dead and the gods regained all of their powers.We all wait eagerly for Durga Puja. The most authentic form of Durga today is a ten-armed goddess modelled out of clay, riding on a lion. Each of those hands carry various weapons except the two, which hold the trident struck into the chest of Mahishasura. The complete image of goddess Durga represents destruction of evil and protection of good. She comes to us along with her four children - Laxmi, goddess of wealth, Saraswati, goddess of knowledge, Kartik, god of beauty and Ganesha, the “Siddhidata” or the starter of everything good in sense. The beats of the “dhak” enthrall the people of Calcutta with their majestic rhythm right from “Shasti”. On “Saptami” the ‘pran’ of the devi is brought from a nearby pond or river. The prime time of Durga Puja is reached during “Sandhikhan” or the crossover time between “Ashtami” and “Nabami”. On “Dashami”, the tenth day from the new moon, we immerse our divine mother Durga’s image in a pond or river. Puja is now just a few days’ away. Come, let’s enjoy! SUBHASREE DEY,
Coordinator, Class XIBidhannagar
Municipal School
source: http://www.thestatesman.net