Durga Pujan

!!...On the eve of Durga Puja, Maa I've made this for you...!!

Jai Mata Di...

Tomorrow is the sixth day of Navratre and as per Bengali tradition, Durga Puja is going to start tonight and will progress till Dussharra. 

The five festive Puja days are spent welcoming Devi Durga, aplomb with rituals and accompanied with dhak, dhunuchi and shiuli.  

Sasthi
Sashti, the sixth day of the moon when Goddess Durga is welcomed with much fanfare and gusto. Look for the 'Bodhon' rituals when Goddess Durga is unveiled.
 

Saptami_________________________
Saptami features the first day of Durga puja; commencement of rituals; predawn bathing of ' Kola Bow '.

Ashtami___________________________
Most important day of Durga Puja; celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasur; devotees recite the mantras and offer flowers to Devi Durga ( pushpanjali ) and pray for her blessings; rituals of animal sacrifices; animals are now substituted with 'chalkumro' (type of pumpkin), cucumber and banana.

Nabami______________________________
Last day of Durga Puja; commencement of ' Sandhi Puja '. Nabami Bhog...Goddess Durga is offered food which is later distributed among the devotees.

Sandhi puja___________________________
( 108 'Dip' lighted ) End of Ashtami and the beginning of Nabami is the time for Sandhi Puja. It was at this moment Devi Durga transformed into Devi Chamunda to kill "Chando" and "Mundo", the two generals of  Mahishasura (the Buffalo Demon). 
 
Dashami_______________________________
Dashami is the day when Goddess Durga accompaning her children sets for Kailash, her husband's abode. With a heavy heart the Bengalis immerse the clay idol of Durga in the sacred Ganges bidding her goodbye and earnestly waiting to see her again the next year.
 

"Sindur Khela" (Vermillion game)____________
"Sindur Khela" is a major event of Dashami. Married women apply vermilion to each other and greet each other with sweets. It is in the evening when Goddess Durga is immersed. Bengalis greet each other with bijoya greetings and men follow the customary 'Kolakuli' (embrace each other). Durga Puja is a festival, Bengalis celebrate without religious inhibitions. It is more of a socio-cultural celebration that tends to renew kinship with friends and relatives.

So tomorrow is Sasthi Puja. I’ve been celebrating Durga Puja in one Bengali temple nearby my house. During these five days, the whole environment turns so spiritual that it seems as if the Divine Mother Durga has actually landed on the earth to accept our prayers and bless us with her love and care. The idol of Maa Durga, the smell of Dhunchi, the sound of Dhols, the loud prayers (Maa Ka Jaikara), the chants of Devi Durga and the excitement of the worshipers; all this increase the spirituality of the place so much that it can’t be compared to anything else in this world. I just love this time. :))

But sadly, probably, this would be my last Durga Pujan Celebration at my home. Coz next year in Jan, I’ll be joining Infy Mysore Campus and perhaps after that I may not get a chance to come back for any such celebration. So this time, I’ll be collecting lots and lots of remembrances with me so that I can cherish these days later on. But its OK. This is life.

I wish that this on Durga Puja, may Maa bless everyone with happiness, health, prosperity, success and loads of love. :D

For now, the workmen are at their work, preparing the pandal for the puja and I'm leaving to have a glimpse of it.

Stay blessed...!!