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DURGA PUJA 2017: Important Rituals for Durga Puja

India is a country full of festivals, Right after the national celebrations for Ganesh festival now is the time for the next big thing, it’s time to say Jai Mata Di everyone. A festival filled with enthusiasm and cheerfulness.

Durga Puja isn’t just about worshipping an idol for 9 days. What brings Maa Durga’s devotees together is the belief that ‘Maa’ will comfort them and ease them from all worries and fill their lives with happiness.

Akalbodhon (‘ultimate awakening of Durga’) in Bengal, Assam, and Odisha.

There are certain very special rituals that mark its celebration.

durga puja

Mahalaya:

The It is believed that this is the day when the Goddess begins Her journey from Kailash Parbat on Amavasya (New Moon Day). They say various Gods present the Goddess with a variety of gifts. In its 17th edition, Vodafone Aagomoni will see an eclectic mix of music and dance legends – Gulzar, Bhupinder Singh, Mitali Singh, Mamata Shankar, Usha Utthup, Soumyajit Das, Sourendra Mullick, Upal Sengupta, Anindya Chatterjee, Iman Chakraborty, Indrani Dutta. It can be viewed LIVE on Vodafone Play app. If you are in Kolkata do try to make it to the celebrations on Monday, September 18, 2017, at Science City Auditorium, Kolkata from 7: 30 PM onwards.

Shashthi: Kalaparambho (Pre-Puja Arrangements)

This day marks the beginning of the actual celebrations as the deity is believed to have arrived in the mortal world, on this day, with her four children – Ganesha, Kartik, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The idol of Mother Durga is welcomed at pandals and devotees celebrate her arrival after a yearlong wait.

Saptami: Kola Bou worship

On Saptami, “Kola Bou” (Banana Plant) is worshipped and placed beside Lord Ganesha, signifying the arrival of his wife. Nine different plants are brought together and tied to the banana tree – each representing a Goddess – and they are collectively called “Nabapatrika” or “Kolabou”. The turmeric plant signifies Goddess Durga and is dressed in a yellow, red-bordered silk sari.

‘Durga Ashtami’: The Ritual of Rituals

This is considered the most important day of the festival – the day you tend to save your best clothes and make up for. Of course, people still want to stand in queues outside the crowded ‘pandals’ and they make sure they don’t miss the morning ‘pushpanjali’ (flower offering to the God)!

Major rituals on the day include the sacrifice of a bottle gourd symbolizing the end of the demon ‘Mahishasura’ who was believed to be half-human and half-buffalo.

Nabami: Pandal Hopping Day

The day commences with ‘Sandhi Puja’ which starts in the last 24 minutes of Maha-Ashtami and extends into 24 minutes of the 9th day.

Dashami: ‘Shubho Vijayadashami’

The final day of the long festive celebration. Women playfully smear the faces of their companions with sindoor (vermilion) as a mark of the victory of good over evil.

‘Ma Durga’ is immersed with the promise ‘Asche bochhor abaar hobey’ (May the celebrations resume next year) and the belief that she will now return to Mount Kailash to be with Shiva and the cosmos. People greet each other with the salutation ‘Shubho Bijoya’ – meaning ‘The Auspicious Victory’ – and exchange sweets and gifts, amidst the grief of the immortal power departing.

 

Author

Snehalata Jain, Mother, Lifestyle blogger, Traveler, Foodie and has a knack of parental advice. She loves to travel with her family and especially her daughter angel so that she can teach her kid the real life experience. A Micro Biologist and lecturer by profession, a full time mother and blogger by choice. She is a social media pro since 2012 handling over 100 profiles till now. Stepping to blog was her decision when she realized that whatever you do or experience, documentation makes it authentic. She loves photography and traveling and creating unique recipes which are healthy and tasty. She writes what she experience during her trips. About Blogsikka : It was just a quick decision to make my lifestyle blog , while searching for blog name. I wanted a name which is not related to specific things as my life is so dynamic that I can’t stick to one thing. I love travelling and eat delicacies from around the world. My love doesn’t stop here , infact I love to cook delicious thing which I see during my trips and replicate at home. Blogsikka is all about my own experiences of life and i write whatever i experience. And my backbone support is my husband DILKHUSH SHAH who is chartered accountant by profession and a hard core traveler by passion. He is the reason behind my all trips. DO FOLLOW MY BLOG : https://blogsikka.com and my all social media tabs

27 Comments

  1. Wow so much of detailing, I have knew that our festivals are in so much of depth and beauty of culture and religion

  2. I loved the article, it’s full of knowledge, culture and religion of India. Thanks Snehalata Jain for the beautiful article

  3. This is wonderful detailing you jave provided. It feels great to know so much about this Indian festival. ? good job.

  4. Lovely post dear. I’ve been to a Durga Pandal few years back must say Bengali people celebrate it with so much of enthusiasm. I dint know about such details first. This adds value to my knowledge about Durga Pujo now ❤️

  5. Nice article, perfectly described all about durga puja good job

  6. U refreshed my childhood memories…… Wen I was kid I used go with my parents to see puja celebration by bengalu association…… I miss dose.days…food stalls were the best…..??????

  7. Alexx bloom Reply

    Thank you for information, now with rituals in mind will surely have great time in Durga Puja

  8. Loved reading about Durga Pujo easily the most awaited event for a Bengali every year.

  9. Papri Ganguly Reply

    Just love this post. Being a bong what can make me feel so happy then reading such wonderful informative post.

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