DURGA PUJA AS A FESTIVAL... RITUALS OF DURGA PUJA

Durga puja is a famous Hindu festival. The Puja starts with the Shasti Tithi of Ashvin month falling during the Shukla Paksha of Ashvin month. Durga puja is celebrated during the last five days of  Navaratri and Dussehra.  In 2018, Durga Puja takes place from October 15 to October 19. We know that Durga Puja is the main festival of West Bengal, particularly in the city of Kolkata. But it also popular in Assam, Odisha and Tripura. When the Puja is start that time people are enjoy very much and the whole city and town decorate nicely. Everywhere is lighting and is very beautiful to see.

RITUALS OF DURGA PUJA

Durga Puja’s rituals start from Mahalaya, which is one week before the Puja. That day, the eyes are drawn on the idols of the Goddess, this rituals is called “Chokkhu Daan”. In Mahashasthi “Sasthi Bihit Puja” is held on that day in the morning time. Same day in the evening time another Puja is held, this rituals is called “Aamontron puja”. 

Mahasaptami:-

In the Mahasaptami day, Goddess Durga is invoked into the idols in a ritual called “Pran Pratisthan”. “Kala Bou or Nabapatrika” is held on Mahasaptami. In Nabapatrika a banana tree is bathed in a nearby river dressed in a saree. Nine different types of plants are worshiped, representing the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga.  Idol of Ganesh is establishing the right side of the nabapatrika tree. The Sapthami Puja is finish in the morning time. After the puja “Aaroti” is begin. There are seven things in the Aaroti, this are- Dhuna, pancha, Korpur, Jolshankar, Bastra, Phul and Pakha. Annavug (food) is given to the goddess after the Aaroti. Then the curtain is open. This is called “Vugdarshan”. In the evening “Sitavug” is given to the goddess and the other people. Halua, Misty, puri and other sweets are including in the Sitavug and again Aaroti begins.

Mahaashtami:-

Ashtami is one of the most significant days of Durga Puja. Another important Puja is done on this day. This name of the puja is Sandhi puja. During the Sandhi Puja 108 lamplights have to shine. In 2018, the time of Sandhi Puja is 48 minutes. It should be finished by this time. Puspanjali gives after the Sandhi Puja.Fesh flowers and bel leaves are in Puspanjali and handed by the priest. This can be seen any pandal. In Mahasthami day another important puja is Kumari puja. In this puja Unmarried young girls worshipped as like goddess. In some pandals, this type of girls dressed up as the goddess and worshipped.

Mahanavami:-

Navami is the last day of the worship. Maha aaroti is concludes in this day. Maha Aaroti marks the end of the important rituals and prayers. The main Navami puja begins after the end of Sandhi Puja. Navami is also called Jironi and navami bhog is offered to the goddess.

Dashami:-

MahaDashami is the last day of the Durga Puja festival.The Visarjan is held on Maha Dashami. In this day the priest symbolically immerses the idol by capturing the reflection in a bowl of water and it is called “ Darpan Bisarjan”. After worshipping for five days, the visarjan process is very emotional. Everyone comes and gives their last respect to maa durga. The whole city happily gives final farewell of maa durga and the mother goddess is immersed in a pure place. After Visarjan Bijaya Dashami is start. In Assam, Visarjan is nicely celebrated but Dussehra is not so much celebrated. 

Durga Puja is a very entertaining and interesting festival. We all enjoy this festival very much. Even I also enjoy this festival. Every year I go to watch different types of Puja mandap and Idols and I also eat different types of sweets and food. In this year, I enjoyed very much with my family and friends.