Every festival in India is celebrated with enthusiasm. One such festival is Durga Puja or Navratri. This festival is celebrated every year during the Lunar month of Ashwin or Karthik (September–October). In this festival, Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies, rituals, fast and feast in honour of Goddess Durga. This festival begins with the fast of Navratri and ends with festivities of Dusshera or Vijayadashmi. It is devoted solely to Mother Goddess - known as Durga, Amba, Bhavani, Parvati and her other manifestations. The name Durga in Sanskrit means - “She who is incomprehensible and difficult to reach”.
According to Hindu mythology, a demon named Mahisashura had threatened the Gods and had established his evil control over the heaven. He was a threat to the Universe. Mahisashura could not be defeated, by men or Gods as he had received a boon after offering a prayer to Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu challenged the Demon first as Narsimha- the man lion & then as Varaha - the boar, but each time he failed. Lord Shiva, the supreme ascetic opened his third eye which is capable of destroying three worlds, could not arrest Mahisashura’s march.
The Gods, then decided of creating a powerful being to kill the demon. A steam of lightning dazzled forth from the mouth of Brahma in the form of Goddess Brahmi. Similarly, from Indra rose Indrani, from Kumara rose Kumari, from Vishnu rose Vaishnavi and from Lord Shiva came Shiavani. They rose to the sky and merged with each other in a blinding light. From the light rose a beautiful Goddess - Durga. All the Gods then furnished her with special weapons and she prepared for the battle. A great battle commenced. This battle was fought continuously for ten days. Finally on the tenth day, Devi killed Mahisashura with her trident and hence the day is known as “Vijayadashmi”. All Hindus celebrates this festival at the same time in different ways in different parts of India.
Ø Maharashtra
Durga Puja is a fun occasion in Maharashtra. Puja is performed everyday and the devotees put flower garland on the idol of Durga Ma. They don’t remove flower garland that is put on the idol of the Durga Ma for nine days. After nine days, all nine flower garlands are removed together. Young girls are invited to eat.
Ø West Bengal
Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal for five days. As per Ramayana, Lord Ram wanted to take the blessings of Goddess Durga to kill Ravana. He performed Durga Puja despite the time of the year not being right. So this Puja is also known as Akol Bodhon. Lord Rama started Chandi Puja with 100 lotus flowers. To test his devotion, Devi hid one of the flower. When time come to pray, Lord Rama found himself short of one flower. In order to make for it, he offered one of his eyes as a substitute for the 100th lotus. Durga Ma was pleased and she promised victory to Rama over Ravana. Durga Puja is also known as Bosonto Utsav. People buy new clothes. Pandals are set and Goddess Durga’s idol is worshipped. The people of Bengal celebrate this puja with lots of enthusiasm and joy.
Ø Punjab
People of Punjab observe Navratri. Some of them keep fast for nine days. They worship Durga Ma. Young girls are invited to eat. Jaagran is also kept by many people.
Ø Gujarat
Navratri is devoted to Amba Mataji. People visit Mataji temples. The common form of celebration is performance of Garba or Dandia Raas.
Ø Kerala
Durga Puja signifies the beginning of education for every 3-5 years child. Puja is performed for all ten days. On Ashtami, they do Ayadya Puja (all tools at home are worshipped). No tools are used on this day. On Navami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.
Ø Kashmir
Hindus are minority in Jammu and Kashmir but they celebrate it with pomp and show. Each household does Puja at home. They fast on water and take fruits in evening. They grow barley in Earthen Pots. They believe if grown is good, there will be prosperity all year. On Navratri, an Aarti is performed at the temple after which people break the fast.
In every part of India, people celebrate Durga Puja. It is one of the biggest festivals of India. People pray to Goddess Durga to bring joy and happiness in their lives.
JAI AMBEMA…..
(Some of the information has been taken from http://www.durga-puja.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_puja)
According to Hindu mythology, a demon named Mahisashura had threatened the Gods and had established his evil control over the heaven. He was a threat to the Universe. Mahisashura could not be defeated, by men or Gods as he had received a boon after offering a prayer to Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu challenged the Demon first as Narsimha- the man lion & then as Varaha - the boar, but each time he failed. Lord Shiva, the supreme ascetic opened his third eye which is capable of destroying three worlds, could not arrest Mahisashura’s march.
The Gods, then decided of creating a powerful being to kill the demon. A steam of lightning dazzled forth from the mouth of Brahma in the form of Goddess Brahmi. Similarly, from Indra rose Indrani, from Kumara rose Kumari, from Vishnu rose Vaishnavi and from Lord Shiva came Shiavani. They rose to the sky and merged with each other in a blinding light. From the light rose a beautiful Goddess - Durga. All the Gods then furnished her with special weapons and she prepared for the battle. A great battle commenced. This battle was fought continuously for ten days. Finally on the tenth day, Devi killed Mahisashura with her trident and hence the day is known as “Vijayadashmi”. All Hindus celebrates this festival at the same time in different ways in different parts of India.
Ø Maharashtra
Durga Puja is a fun occasion in Maharashtra. Puja is performed everyday and the devotees put flower garland on the idol of Durga Ma. They don’t remove flower garland that is put on the idol of the Durga Ma for nine days. After nine days, all nine flower garlands are removed together. Young girls are invited to eat.
Ø West Bengal
Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal for five days. As per Ramayana, Lord Ram wanted to take the blessings of Goddess Durga to kill Ravana. He performed Durga Puja despite the time of the year not being right. So this Puja is also known as Akol Bodhon. Lord Rama started Chandi Puja with 100 lotus flowers. To test his devotion, Devi hid one of the flower. When time come to pray, Lord Rama found himself short of one flower. In order to make for it, he offered one of his eyes as a substitute for the 100th lotus. Durga Ma was pleased and she promised victory to Rama over Ravana. Durga Puja is also known as Bosonto Utsav. People buy new clothes. Pandals are set and Goddess Durga’s idol is worshipped. The people of Bengal celebrate this puja with lots of enthusiasm and joy.
Ø Punjab
People of Punjab observe Navratri. Some of them keep fast for nine days. They worship Durga Ma. Young girls are invited to eat. Jaagran is also kept by many people.
Ø Gujarat
Navratri is devoted to Amba Mataji. People visit Mataji temples. The common form of celebration is performance of Garba or Dandia Raas.
Ø Kerala
Durga Puja signifies the beginning of education for every 3-5 years child. Puja is performed for all ten days. On Ashtami, they do Ayadya Puja (all tools at home are worshipped). No tools are used on this day. On Navami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.
Ø Kashmir
Hindus are minority in Jammu and Kashmir but they celebrate it with pomp and show. Each household does Puja at home. They fast on water and take fruits in evening. They grow barley in Earthen Pots. They believe if grown is good, there will be prosperity all year. On Navratri, an Aarti is performed at the temple after which people break the fast.
In every part of India, people celebrate Durga Puja. It is one of the biggest festivals of India. People pray to Goddess Durga to bring joy and happiness in their lives.
JAI AMBEMA…..
(Some of the information has been taken from http://www.durga-puja.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_puja)
