This year 24 October is Durga Puja. As much as the theme is all around now, it wasn’t like that in the beginning. Many people seem to have forgotten the original form of Durga Puja. How many centuries of history are associated with Durga Puja? There are many folklores and mythological stories behind it. How many people know that? According to popular belief, Durga was invoked by Rama in autumn to defeat Ravana. Although Durga Puja is traditionally celebrated in spring.
The beginning of Durga Puja in autumn has multiple histories but is not uncontroversial and complex. However, the most common and popular information is that Ramachandra performed the premature birth of Durga in autumn to defeat Ravana in battle. Traditionally Durga Puja was held before that in the spring.
According to Puranas spring is the real-time to worship Goddess Durga. But to kill Ravana, Ramachandra invoked the goddess prematurely to seek her blessings. Durga whom Rama worshiped has ten arms and killed Mahishasura. As a result, another name for the festival that we have always known as Durgotsava is Akal Bodhan.
Goddess Durga is a very ancient goddess, so it is believed based on archeology. It is not known for sure when Durga Puja started. Durga Puja dates back to the Mughal period in the wealthy homes of Bangladesh. you may reWorld Understanding and Peace Day 2023ad
History of Durga Puja
Initially, when Durga Puja started, only Durga was worshiped and Durga was accompanied by buffaloes and demons. There is evidence of this in the ancient idols of Durga that have been found. But the Durga Pujas that started after 1600 were started by the kings, and the kings wanted a big and crowded festival for a few days, because they had no problem with money, in this case, the bigger and more idols, the more crowded and suitable the festival was;
Because if you want to organize such a big event, this kind of dress would be worn in the ceremony, this is a social reason. This puja probably started in the early 1500s. It is believed that the zamindar of Dinajpur Maldar first started this puja. He started this puja in a family way after receiving the dream of the goddess. But that Goddess Durga had a different form. According to folklore, the vehicles of the goddess of this house are the white tiger and the green lion. On the other hand, the eyes of the goddess are round.
But according to another legend, Durga Puja of Bengal was started by King Kangsnarayan of Taherpur or Bhavananda Majumda of Nadia. Barwari Puja has a history. Twelve friends started this puja for the first time, so named. In 1790, 12 people started a puja together in Guptipara. This puja was called Baro Pal Puja.
On the other hand, Raja Harinath of Kasimbazar started the first Durga Puja in Kolkata. Durga Puja was celebrated even during the British period in many zamindar houses in Kolkata. The puja turned into a grand feast with what was spent on Durga Puja in those days at Nabakrishna Dev’s house.
However, the first Barwari Puja in Kolkata was officially started in 1910. Sanatan Dharmatsahini Sabha started this puja in Bagbazar. But residents helped. Since then, the prevalence of Durga Puja has increased throughout Bengal. This year it has been recognized by UNESCO.
Why do people celebrate Durga Puja?
The worship of Mahamaya Durga is specifically mentioned in Chandi of the Markandeya Purana. In Asuradlan, the worship of Maa Durga, the destruction of sorrows and misfortunes, must be done by God and man. In Durga Puja, profit, enjoyment, and liberation – one gets what one wants. (Svargapavargade Devi Narayani Namohastu).
Ramachandra himself performed Durga Puja prematurely in the destruction of Ravana. In the battle of Kurukshetra Krishna asked Arjuna to praise Durga to win the battle. And Lord Vishnu himself has told about the appearance of Goddess Durga and her worship in Bhagavata Yogamaya. Satisfied by Durga’s worship, Durgatinasini frees the saint from the gates of the hell of lust-anger-greed. Manifestations of unrighteousness—arrogance, arrogance, arrogance, anger, ill-behavior—are described in the Gita as manifestations of demonic nature.
On completion of Durga Puja, the saint is blessed with divine wealth i.e. lack of pride, non-conceit, non-violence, etc. by the grace of the mother. People cannot be easily freed from the influence of Mahamaya. Only by taking refuge in Him can one be freed from the influence of the world. This is what is said in Chandi (Chandi 11/54-55). The Gita also mentions such refuge – Daibi Hyesa Gunamayi Mam Maya Duratya. Mameb that prapadyante mayametang taranti ॥
Goddess Durga’s opulence is revealed again through mythology. At the beginning of creation, Brahma will come out of Vishnu’s navel and start creating. At such a time the demon Madhu-Kaitava from Vishnu’s Karnamal is determined to attack Brahma. Vishnu is engrossed in yogic sleep. Mahamaya appeared from Vishnu’s Akhipallab at the praise of Brahma and awakened Vishnu. Asura Madhukaitava was killed, and creation was saved.
On the other hand, Mahisasur occupied the kingdom of heaven and drove away the hearts of the gods. The gods too were appeased by worshiping Mahamaya. Brahma-Sakti Mahamaya saved the rights of the gods by killing Mahisasu. Mahamaya saved the creation by killing the demon Shumbha-Nishumbha. Due to pride, lust, anger, and greed, people are drowned in the sea of sorrow and suffering. By worshiping mother form Mahamaya, freed from these demonic forms, people can attain supreme bliss.
Suratha can enjoy the riches of the world without interruption like a king, and if he is a libertarian, he can also get liberation like a Samadhi Vaishya. So in the praise of the goddess in Chandi, it is said – Svargapavargade Devi Narayani Namo’stu. –
That is, for attaining heaven, the place of enjoyment, and for attaining liberation, O Goddess Narayani, I offer my obeisances to you. Maternal worship of Lord Sri is mentioned in Markandeya Purana. God also said in the Gita – I am the mother of the world. (Gita-9/17). Bengali society is fascinated by the mother’s love. God exists as the mother of all living beings. ‘which is the Goddess Sarvabhutesu Matrurupena Sansthita.’ Motherly worship of God is therefore natural. So the saintly poet sings—’When work is done, the mother will hold me in my lap, we are mother’s sons.’
How do people celebrate Durga Puja?
Durga Puja starts on Shashti day. Durga Puja is believed to have been initiated by Rama in autumn. It was he who performed Durga Puja at this time seeking the blessings of Dashabhuja to defeat Ravana. Durga is invoked through Bodhana. In addition to this, many other rituals are observed on the sixth day and everyone is committed to worshiping Durga by following the customs.
This custom points to the roots of Bengal’s agrarian society. This custom is observed on Saptami day. On this day, a small banana tree is tied with the leaves of 8 other trees and it is bathed. Among them, the banana tree is visible, so many people call this practice Kalabau Snan. The 9 leaves of the tree represent the 9 forms of Shakti — Brahmani (Banana), Kalika (Kachu), Durga (Yellow), Karttiki (Jayanti), Shiva (Katbel), Raktadantika (Vedana), Shokarhita (Ashoka), Chamunda (Ghatakchu), Lakshmi. (paddy).
On the morning of Saptami, Navapatrika is taken to a river or pond for bathing. After this, the red fringe is wrapped in a white sari and replaced next to Ganesha. Anjali- Devotees express their faith and respect towards Durga by offering flowers. Generally, Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami are all three days, but Ashtami Anjali is given more importance. After the chanting of the priest, it is customary to offer the flowers and leaves held in the hand at the feet of Mahishasuramardini. Kumari Puja – Kumari Puja is performed on Ashtami day.
On this day, baby girls are worshiped as Durga, with the status of Durga. Sandhipujo- Sandhipujo is held at the junction of the end of Ashtami and the beginning of Navami. At this time Durga assumed her Chamunda form to kill Chanda-Munda. At this time 108 lamps were lit. Once animals were sacrificed on this day, but now vegetables are sacrificed. Dhunuchi Dance- Though men were once proficient in Dhunuchi dance, nowadays women also participate in this dance with equal skill. On the Navami day, all men and women dance to the beat of Dhak.
Even if it is held in hand, many people do not hesitate to perform Dhunuchi dance even if they hold it on their head or squeeze it with their teeth. Sindoor Khel- It is customary to welcome Uma before leaving for Patigrah on Dasami after spending a holiday at her father’s home. On the 10th day, Durga is welcomed by dyeing vermilion, and eating sweets, beans, paddy, and durbar. After the marriage of Uma, women always indulged in the sindur game.
Bisarjan- After the festival, it’s time to leave, time to go to Kailash. While the Banedi family once used to carry the Durga idol on their shoulders, nowadays trucks are the only option. After reaching the river bank, the Durga idol was taken to the middle of the river in a boat and sacrificed. Vijaya- Vijaya announces the end of the Sharadiya festival. On the day of Vijaya, the younger ones bow down to the elders and take their blessings. Peers cooed and shared joy. Sweets are also exchanged at this time.
Durga Puja Messages / Wishes/ Statutes
Durga Puja is a combination of Vedic, Tantric, Puranic, ceremonial, and social aspects. The spirit of different sects of Hinduism is respected in Durga Puja. According to the Ganapatya sect, the worship of Ganesha, the worship of Shiva in the Shaivite community, the worship of Surya in the Saurian community, the worship of Narayan in the Vaishnava community,
the worship of Kaushik (Jayadurga) in the Shakta community are performed with great devotion. These Gods and Goddesses are the development of one Sacchidananda Brahmasvarupa. Reminds one of the varieties of pursuits. Here are some Durga Puja Messages / Wishes/ Statutes –
Happy Durga festival. May Maa Durga bless you and your family and fill your family with happiness, prosperity, and peace. I pray to mother to give you the strength to overcome all obstacles in life. Sharadiya wishes you and all your family members on the occasion of Durga Puja.
Hope this Durga Puja is going to be the best Durga festival of your life. May the blessings of Mother Durga bring peace to you and your family. Enjoy this puja with all the family members. Happy Durga Puja.
Hope, Maa Durga will always protect you from all dangers in your life and always give you strength to fight against all problems. Celebrate this Durga Puja with peace and joy. Happy Durga Puja.
Wishing you and your family members a very happy Durga festival. Hope you can celebrate this Puja with your family and friends with joy. Happy Durga Puja.
FAQ About Durga Puja
Why Durga Puja is celebrated?
Ans: In Asuradlan, the worship of Maa Durga, the destruction of sorrows and misfortunes, must be done by God and man. source wikipedia https://www.wikipedia.org/
How to Celebrate Durga Puja?
Ans: Durga Puja is believed to have been initiated by Rama in autumn. It was he who performed Durga Puja at this time seeking the blessings of Dashabhuja to defeat Ravana.
Mother Durga’s son Karthik Ganesh, daughter Lakshmi Saraswati – they are siblings – Bengalis are also siblings. Son of Jagajjanani. Sri Bhagavan has divided according to Guna and Karma. So the Brahmin who practices knowledge, the Kshatriya who governs the country, the Vaishya engaged in business and the Shudra who works are all members of the mother’s family. The concept of Vedic Purushuktam is reflected here.
Like different parts of the same body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unity among all is established through devotion – we are all mother’s children – all belong to us. Doel-Shyama heralds the arrival of autumn by calling. Along the banks of the river, water lilies, morning dew, and sedum flowers are welcoming the autumn season. Manifestation of nature towards nature. The religious sentiment makes the poetry more lively.
The sound of mother’s arrival sounded in everyone’s heart. Jagajjanani Durga will be worshiped and worshiped in autumn. After the monsoons, the river is full and clapping happily to the cool sound. The grass will wash mother’s feet wet with autumn dew. And Dharani will wipe her feet on her green skin. The poet has drawn the hearts of Bengalis and is ready to greet nature with branches. After preparing the dish of Gagan and mixing it with Prabhat Red and coloring it, the Dik Bala Alta Gul is prepared. Surya started to perform aarti after lighting the moon lamp. Thanks for being with us.
Celebrate the festival of Sharadiya with happiness, joy and heartfelt love. Enjoy the Puja days with family and friends with the blessings of Maa Durga. Happy Durga Puja.
