Navratri has its own significance, the nine days of the festivities are dedicated to the power of Goddess Durga. Each day is devoted to the nine avatars of Durga that has their own significance. These days are to celebrate the power through worship.

The days also are differentiated into different colors. Each color has a statement to express the power of the avatars based on the days. Based on the days the colors are specifically worn by the worshippers and devotees. Durga puja is one of the popular festivals of the Hindus. It may be in any corner of the world, people celebrate it from the core of their hearts.

Significance of Navratri and its colors

The avatars of Durga are based on the incarnations that symbolize the triumph of the Goddess. On these days devotees spend to celebrate the energy, positivity, and strength of the Goddess through prayers, chants, music, and rituals. The rituals for each day vary including the prayers for the nine days.

Shailaputri, the first day

The first day of Navratri begins with worshipping Goddess Shailaputri. She is also known as Hemwati, Parvati, Sati, the daughter of the mountains (Shaila). The Goddess is considered the embodiment of the Tridev. On this day people wear orange colors and worship the Goddess.

Brahmacharini, second day

The avatar of Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day. It is the Incarnation of the Goddess that symbolizes the state of brahmacharya. Female practices and adapts the path of Brahmacharya which is known as a brahmachari. White is considered the auspicious color for this day.

Chandraghanta, the third day

Devotees pray on this day for prosperity and progress, she wears a half moon on her forehead. The avatar of Chandraghanta shows her appearance after marrying Lord Shiva. She wears a third eye with ten hands. It is the avatar after marriage, devotees red color on this day.

Kushmanda, the fourth day of Navratri

The Goddess with the cosmic power, devotees worship the avatar of Kushmanda for their well-being as well as strength. She is the Goddess with eight hands that are also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. On the fourth-day people wear Royal blue which describes her radiance and elegance.

Skandamata, the fifth day

The idol of Skandamata is known as the Abhaya Mudra. Goddess Durga who is known as the mother of war carries a child, Lord Skanda in her lap. It is one of the brave and ferocious avatars that is celebrated on the fifth day. To express energy and fire the auspicious color of the day is yellow.

Katyayani, the sixth day

On the sixth day, Katyayani day is celebrated which symbolizes prosperity and fertility. It is also the avatar of Mahalaxmi. The day is adorned by the color green which defines prosperity and staying away from evil.

Kalaratri, the seventh day

The avatar of Goddess Durga, Kalaratri is on the seventh day of Navratri. A black complexion with red eyes also known as Kali Mata. The color for this day is grey which helps to remain balanced.

Maha Gauri, the eighth day

One of the popular avatars is Maha Gauri, it is on the eighth day. She symbolizes purity, trust, and peace. Worshippers pray for her blessings and purple is the color of this day.

Siddhidharti, the ninth day

On the last day of Navratri, the idol of Siddhidharti is worshipped. Devotees pray to the Goddess for its strength to develop the power of natural healing. The color of the day is green which describes integrity and grace.

The nine days of Navratri are cherished with rituals, prayers, and fun for families and friends. Above all apart from receiving the blessings of Goddess Durga, devotees pray to acknowledge the victory and grace.

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The beautiful eyes that are compared to the Blue lotus, in Hinduism, when a person who possesses lotus-like eyes is known as “Padma Lochan”. The Padma means Lotus, Lochan means eyes. The mythological tale of Lord Rama whose eyes were always known to be attractive has given rise to a historical and religious belief that we know as the “Akalbodhan” Durga Puja.

Ritual by Lord Rama to Convince Goddess Durga

After Sita was abducted by Ravana, it became a difficult task to rescue her from the Kingdom, Lanka defeating the demon with ten heads. Ravana, who had the blessing of Lord Shiva and Durga, he was one of the strongest and efficient disciples. The demon was immortal which made it impossible for Lord Rama to easily defeat and rescue Sita.

So, it became necessary to gain the strength and capability to fight the battle and kill Ravan, who was known to own the tenacious and substantial abilities. Rama is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who had his wife as Sita and brother Lakshman. Being in doubt finally he decided to convince Goddess Durga. Why Durga? She is believed to have the superior power to defeat all evils and power to sustain the holiness and greatness also known as Adyashakti.

So, the incarnated phase of Vishnu decided to worship Goddess Adyashakti to gain the power, sense, and ability to fight the battle, win and return back to Kingdom with his wife “Sita”. But in order to offer prayer to the Goddess, it was important to fulfill the requirements for the rituals. The offerings were of 108 blue lotuses, which is rarely found but in order to complete the rituals and convince Goddess, it was necessary. After wandering around the forests and lakes he was able to collect the 108 lotuses.

Unfortunately, while offering the “Neel Kamal”, it was found that only 107 were present as one was hidden by Durga, herself. So, Rama decided to offer one of his eyes that is compared to the beauty of Lotus.

But due to his intense devotion, Devi Durga returned the blue lotus, as she was pleased and accepted his prayers with 108 lotus, appeared in front of Rama. Adya Shakti Durga assured Rama to bless him with the power and strength to defeat the King of Demons in Lanka Ravana.

Akalbodhan Durga Puja in autumn

The arrival of the Autumn season has been auspicious for the Hindus, throughout the year kids to elders wait for this season when the Durga Puja is celebrated. Few families have the tradition to celebrate the Puja decades after decades that retains the peace and strength of their family tradition. People have always been experiencing wonders in this festival with the sounds of  Drums, chants, and laughter, happiness that is ample. The time when people forget about their anxiety, illness, and sorrows, the only thing that is inside their mind is the so-called “Maa Asche”. The power of Goddess Durga and the victory of Lord Rama to defeat Ravana is celebrated as “Akalbodhan”, it is performed with a greater belief to overcome evils and celebrate the joy of victory.

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In Hinduism, it is observed that the sacred number is considered as 108. According to the Vedas, the entire existence of the universe is connected almost to the distance. You will find the beads present in a Rudraksha has total the same numbers of beads. So, when a complete meditation according to yoga is after completing the counting of the beads to 108. Both Yoga and Vedas mention the holiness that is present within the number.

An elaborate description of the sacred number…..

• “Nadi” is the term that is used in Ayurvedic medicine, in which spiritual flow, physical flow, and the soul of a body are described with the 108 connection to flow. The energy flow throughout the body with the sacred number which connects the three main chakras through the energy channels.
• Did you ever check into the features of Upanishads? The Veda was composed after the great epic Mahabharata. Written by Veda Vyas, It is also known as the base of Hinduism that has been divided into 108 parts. Not only that the indication of the holiness is explained but also the total number of Puranas is 108.
• We all know about the importance of acupuncture that mentions the 108 points which are similar to the world’s ancient medicinal treatment of Ayurveda. Completeness is observed in the number that helps in healing the diseases. Inspired by the ancient medicines the sacred number has been initiated in treating many diseases when modern medicine was not around.

• Krishna has a total of 108 names, which itself indicates the importance of the sacred number in Hinduism. The Lord of Kalyuga, with incarnation to different forms, he is the Avatar of Vishnu and was born to different families.
• In the yoga poses a complete set of Sun salutation or Surya Namaskara has a set of movements of the sacred number. When elaborating on Vinyasa, it is completed with postures and stretches which are differentiated into Astanga Vinyasa and Power Yoga. Another ancient form of meditation which helps in developing a healthy body to proper breathing.
• Vishnu temples in India are found to be built in the holy number of Hinduism. In the works of Alvars, the name of the temples is present which is known as Divya Desam. It means the place of the lord, Vishnu. Three temples, belonging to the holy number is outside India, and 105 are established in India.

• After Vishnu, when the mythology speaks about Lord Shiva when looking in the 54 letters of Sanskrit. The alphabets describe the Shiva-Shakti in two genders that totals up to 108.
• To complete 108 Lotus; Lord Rama had given one of his eyes to complete the sacred number which was necessary for the rituals and prayers offered to Goddess Durga. Even today the Durga Puja needs 108 items each as offerings for the puja Known as “Ram’s Akalbodhan”.

In the Hindu religion, the contribution of the sacred number 108 has been established in Vedas and mythology. The importance and necessity still exist in the calendar and activities of Hinduism.

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Mahalaya – All year, we sorrow on having to be in the corporate grind for bread-winning.

But during the time of festivities, we really go bananas over shopping, catching up with friends, relatives and sharing gifts. This is that time of the year when there will be three major festivals lining up in the span of three consecutive months and we can’t keep calm. The three festivals referred here are Durgapuja which is the main festival in West Bengal so of the Bengali populace, then Diwali which is has a pan-India celebration and then will Bhai Dooj follow suit.

Bengalis wait all year for Durgapuja and the nature itself drops hint at the arrival of Sarat kaal or Autumn which is the most effervescent of all the seasons. Goddess Durga, who is symbolic of power and purity, is worshipped for four consecutive days in the major parts of West Bengal.

It ambience soaks up the festive spirit from the day of Mahalaya which is called the Devi Paksha in West Bengal. In the day of Mahalaya, people throng the ghats of holy Ganges to offer water and rice to their ancestors for appeasing their departed soul. This process is called Tarpan which insures you for lifelong prosperity with the blessings of your ancestors.

As Bengalis, we have a collective frenzy towards Mahalaya because we wake up in the wee hours of morning to hear the Agomoni mantras chanted by Birendra Krishna Bhadra in his stomach-churning baritone. We always ere excited as puppies in our childhood as the parents readied the old box-like radios to hear Mahalaya in the crack of dawn. Some of us would also prefer to stay awake all night fearing we would miss the broadcast and sadly, we did sometimes. In the time of age when we get easy access to everything in internet, that Mahalaya excitement is in the middle of a losing streak but tradition still perpetuates.

In West Bengal, there are whopping pandals that start being raised and one can figure from their very appearance that a lot of money has been exhausted on them. In such a time, when the streets, especially the market areas like Esplanade, are bustling with busy buyers, traffic rules are beefed up because the indiscriminate emergence of pandals here are there, big and small, the office-goers face a lot of rigmarole to reach in time. The traffic woes start from the very day of Mahalaya because people can’t contain themselves when it is finally that time of the year and we can’t complain much.

During Mahalaya, even those offices that have a miserly approach towards holidays, announce it but major corporate houses remain open. If you are in Kolkata during the time of Mahalaya, you will hear the Mahalaya Mantras by Birendra Krishna Bhadra being played in every nook and cranny of the city, even in the traffic signals.

Durga Puja brings an inexhaustible ecstasy among the Bengalis which start from the day of Mahalaya itself.

The post How Mahalaya Rings The Durga Puja Bells For The Bengalis appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

Durga Puja is the most happening festival for Bongs throughout the country which can be sensed with endless events, food and fun happening across the pandals.

It not only brings the city of Kolkata to halt, but it is the most awaited carnival for all the Bengalis across the world. Bongs have been waiting to meet their universal Ma, whom they welcome with lots of Dhaaks, Dhunuchi naach, prayers and many more things.

Regardless of caste, age and class, the fever of Durga Puja grips every heart in the city.

Because Durga Puja is around the corner, here we would mention you some things that capture the perfect emotions of Bongs during the Durga Puja.

1. Enjoying the Dhak, Dhunuchi naach and mild fragrance of shiuli

Enduring the sound of Dhak along with Dhunuchi dance just before offering Bhog to Ma Durga gives a familiar tug to every Bengali heart. Dhunuchi naach is basically an inherited form of dance which is performed using burning clay lamps in front of Goddess Durga. Dhunuchi naach is an important ritual during Durga Puja and is not just a form of dance.

2. Forget our Maach Bhaat but love the traditional Bhoger Khichudi

When it comes to Bengali’s, there is a common myth that we cherish dining on rice and fish throughout the year. Although rice and fish hold a special place in our hearts, we love to gorge on Bhoger Khichudi during Durga Puja. Khichudi with some tomato chutney, labda, and Rosogolla forms to be the best feast of the year.

3. Pandals forms to be the most spectacular thing you have ever seen

Not only Bengali’s but even Non- Bengali’s wait for Durga Puja, in order to experience the joy of hopping from one pandal to another. Because Ma Durga is arriving, practically every locality has come up with pandals in their own style. With so many lights, decoration and giant idols, everything seems to be perfect.

4. Magnificent idols of Durga Puja is sumptuous

There is no denying fact that Durga Ma Bhakts literally shed their tears in front of the Goddess. From award winning Durga Ma idols to innovative designs of pandals and creative themes, watching the magnanimous idols of Durga Puja is a pleasant sight for your sore eyes. The city welcomes Durga Ma along with mighty demon Mahishasura with open arms and hearts filled with lots of love and sentiments.

5. Mouth watering delicacies

As Durga Puja arrives, the city awakes with a new level of enthusiasm and delight! Sumptuous idols, the sound of dhaak, legendary Bhog aren’t enough describing Durga Puja. Durga Puja is also much like a 4-day open food festival with a large variety of food served every day. From chops, cutlets, Calcutta Kathi rolls to biryani and chicken curries, everything is just classic when Ma arrives in the city. Yes, even the taste buds are happy!

6. Waiting impatiently

The zest for this festival is so deep that Ma Durga Bhakts don’t mind standing throughout the day in a long queue. No matter how big the pandal is, how much the traffic is or how crowded the street is, we love to wait patiently to get a glimpse of Goddess Durga.

7. Get to soak in some culture

A series of puja is performed every day at the Puja Mandal. As usual, a Bengali starts his day giving Pushpanjali during Durga Puja which is all about chanting in front of Ma and offering flowers.  The evening ritual consists of Dhunuchi dance which is performed in order to impress the universal God. Finally, Dashami is the last day of Durga Puja where women’s bid goodbye to Ma Durga with the Sindoor Khela ritual and Dhak’s final beat.

Durga Puja comes with a sudden rush of liveliness in every Bengali’s heart! Ma arrives and goes in a span of 4 days and it is all too much for you! Bolo Durga Maa ki, Jai!

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