All about Durga Puja Celebration: – In the month of September-October, when the “Sarad” season brings a lot of white clouds in the blue sky, all Hindus celebrate “Durga puja”, the biggest festival of Hindus.
When the beautiful flowers paint the green earth with a white touch, the goddess Parbati visits her own house (that is, the earth) with her four children Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati, and Laxmi for five days and her arrival is Celebrate with great enthusiasm.
The wave of enthusiasm flows throughout the country with a spirit of union. Stores are usually flooded with people looking for new dresses for themselves and their loved ones.
During these four days of Durga puja, people used to wander from panel to panel to take a look at the Devi Durga. The food on the side of the road adds a little flavor to your joyful visit.
In addition to all these festive reverberations, Durga puja offers a lot of employment opportunities for many people. Some of them win only during this season, such as Clay artists), drummers, Pandel makers, etc.
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The place is called Kumortuli, where the group of potters works day and night to shape the idol. This procedure begins with the ritual called “Kahamopuja”, a prayer to God before making the straw structure. To make the idol, they put black sticky clay on the structure. After a bit of final finishing, the idol is dyed in color and adorned with jewelry.
Durga Puja Celebration
Durga Puja is the most important festival of the Hindus. It comes during the month of Ashwin (September-October). Before Durga Puja, the Mahalaya arrives, which is a fortnight after the new moon (Amavasya).
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During Pitripaksha (Pitri – ancestor, paksha – fortnight), we remember our family ancestors and offer them til (sesame seeds) and water in their name. This is called til tarpan. If one cannot perform til tarpan for fourteen days, he does on the day of Mahalaya, the last day of the fortnight of ancestors.
After Mahalaya, begins the Devi paksha (Shukla paksha or crescent side of the moon). It is the fortnight of the celebration of worshiping Goddess Durga that culminates on the tenth day (Dashami).
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Five days later is Purnima. Durga puja is done for five days: Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami. Sandhipuja is made between Ashtami and Navami.
The mythological story behind Durga Puja is that Durga, the goddess with ten hands, killed the demon Mahishashur. To become immortal, mahishashur did years of penance to Brahma.
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Brahma granted him the blessing, with the exception that he can only be killed by one woman. Mahishashur felt that he was as good as an immortal since he could not think of a woman who could be more powerful than him.
Then Durga was born with the power of all the Gods and Goddesses and killed Mahihshashur. Five days of the Durga Puja celebration mark the victory of justice over evil.
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Traditionally, Durga Puja used to be celebrated during spring (Basant), which continues. But Rama prayed to Durga during this time (autumn) to get her blessing and the weapon to kill Ravana. Therefore, a new tradition began from the time of Rama, and Durga Puja moved to this time of year. Therefore, it is often referred to as Akal bodhran which means ultimately prayer.
Pandal on Durga Puja
The mandap puja or the main altar is a platform within a bamboo structure called a pandal. . In the early days, the pandal was the temporary abode, they were made of simple bamboo scaffolds with meters of cloth wrapped around.
Today, pandals are built in every imaginable way, and complex structures replicate famous temples, houses of parliament, mansions, fortresses, etc. The materials used in the construction of these pandals are no longer simple and cost-effective, but complicated and very expensive.
Pandals are created with many materials, some are ecological and others are not. Some are waste materials and others are created specifically, some materials are fragile and elegant, while others are strong.
Some materials are found locally and in some pandals, these materials are imported. Some of these materials are plastic, paper, earth, and plaster of Paris. Designers decorate the pandals in the most amazing way possible, using different materials, e.g. Terracotta, old LP records, cookies, coca-cola bottles, matchboxes, etc., to name a few.
The theme may be seashells, ancient temples, fortresses, ships, igloos, and even the White House, and some themes may simply be motivation, thoughts, or ideas that may arise from fantasies, political conflicts, a flaccid socio-economic condition, and parenthood.
Pandal-making is an extremely tactile construction method, it has a connection between the materials and the artisan’s construction method. The soil in this region is suitable for bamboo to grow in abundance and is also good for the construction of beards and mud.
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For centuries, artisans are using these techniques while working with bamboo and mud to build houses in this region. Other materials of local origin are straw, jute, rice husk, paper, and wood used in pandals.
These are the most natural and ecological materials that can be used in construction. The festival ensures that most of the materials used can be easily disassembled and reused. A bamboo frame achieves shape with handmade elements and finishes.
Steel is also used, although in moderation, in some large pandals to make a frame. In recent times, some pandals have also used scrap or waste products for construction. In rooted tradition, artisans engage in innovative ways to combine regional crafts with technology and new tools.
Two months before Durga Puja, artisans begin to prepare to build the pandal. It began with energy reverberations, discussions, and joyful anticipation of the invisible world in which it is about to transform.
Bamboo, clay, wooden posts, plaster, and hay are collected on the corner of a street. A designer with his team of artisans assumes the responsibility of building a unique pandal to talk with people in the neighborhood and then establishes the design and builds the Pandal.
The streetscape is transformed into his studio. Tools mold materials; dreams come true; The Pandal gradually emerges.
Inside the pandal, the priests perform rituals in front of the deities. Offerings of fruits, flowers, sweets, incense, and sandalwood are placed in front of the deities while the congregation in the pandal repeats the mantras.
The Durga idol-
The improvised structures of the goddess idols are adorned with particular works of art and stylistic themes made with local craft materials such as shola or pith, woven brocades, jute colors, clay, terracotta ornaments, and imitation jewels.
The festival has become the livelihood of countless local artisans. For example, in an entire neighborhood, the artisans of ‘Kumartuli’ are carriers of knowledge of the method of regional sculpture of straw-bamboo and clay armor, which is used characteristically to sculpt Durga idols.
The rituals of the deities in which the material is used as rice, dried flour, flower petals, turmeric (Haldi), vermilion (Sindoor), and colored sand.
WORSHIP OF IDOLS
The worship of an idol is the bridge between a human being and his/her salvation. To reach the final concept of God without form, the current idol worship is the guide before the eyes of believers in the Hindu faith. Durga Puja comes from the sacred Hindu Scripture called Markendaya Puran.
According to mythology Devi Durga, the epitome of “Shakti”, divine power, as presented in his ten arms, kills Mahishasura, the king of all Asuras, who are evils. Goddess Durga emerges from the accumulated powers of the holy trinities: Lord Brahma, the creator; Lord Vishnu, the conservative; and Lord Shiva, the destroyer of the universe.
She personifies unity. She symbolizes the unity necessary for the elevation of the mind and soul. So, Durga Puja is the worship of Goddess Durga, Shakti, and Power, which protects us from evil and brings peace, happiness, and prosperity to our lives.
It is a great occasion for Hindu families to get together and share love in the early fall every year.
Origin of Goddess Durga
According to mythology, Mahishasur was a powerful demon king who could change his form from human to buffalo. After many years of prayer, he received a blessing from Brahma that he could only be killed by any man. He ignored the strength of the woman who became the secret of his death. He soon became invincible and terrified of heaven and earth.
The gods finally entered the conclave and created a nemesis in the form of a beautiful young woman. She was named Durga or the rescuer of the problems. After ten days of fighting, Durga killed Mahishasur on the tenth day of the crescent moon.
Thus, Durga was called Mahishasur Mardini (murderer of the buffalo demon). Later, Durga, with her divine powers, became Lord Shiva’s wife and was known as Parvati (daughter of the mountain – part, whose name was Himavat, another name for the Himalayas).
They have four children: Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesh. Each of them had different divine attributes that made them different Gods and Goddesses. The mother, Durga or Parvati, visits the land once a year with her children during the fall season, whose (deities) are shown in the mandap puja.
The traditional image of Durga shows an ensemble of the goddess and her two daughters, Lakshmi and Saraswati, and two sons, Ganesh and Kartik, with the face of her husband Shiva who looks at them from above on a single background scaffold.
Here, the great idol of Durga, killing the buffalo demon Mahiṣasura, sits on a lion with her 10 arms holding weapons respectively gifted to her by the god.
All these weapons have a symbolic meaning. But this single-calcite or kcal is replaced everywhere with one in which the idols are placed separately on the altar with the goddess Laxmi and Ganesh on the right and Saraswati and Kartik on the left.
Ganesh God with elephant head;
Ganesh (Ganesha, Ganapati, Vinayaka, Ganesa, Vighneshvara) is the youngest son of Shiva and Pravati; one of the best known and valued in the Hindu pantheon; revered as the obstacle eliminator and committed to an auspicious start. Shri Ganesh is the God of wisdom and was worshiped at the beginning.
The mouse is his companion animal.
Kartik (Kartikkeya, Subhramany, Kartikay, Skanda, Guha, Sanmukha)
Kartik is the central deity of the Hindu tradition, the god of war, the elder brother of Ganesha, and the murderer of the demon Taraka. Peacock is his pet bird and transport vehicle.
Lakshmi
Laxmi is a beautiful and loving Hindu goddess of good fortune, wealth, and prosperity (both material and spiritual). She is one of Durga’s daughters and Saraswati’s sister. She brings eternal happiness, abundance, and good fortune. Owl is her pet bird.
Saraswati (Sharda, Vani, Vaakdevi)
Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, science, music, and arts. She is the consort of Brahma. She is widely revered by students dedicated to learning. The white swan is her pet bird and transport vehicle.
Mahishasur
Mahishasur was a powerful demon king who could change from human to buffalo. He was invincible by the gods which resulted in the creation of Goddess Durga for his contributed powers.
After a fierce fight, Durga finally killed the demon and brought universal peace. Thus, Mahishasur is credited with the creation of Durga, the goddess who rescues humans from problems.
CHANDI (or Chandika) AND DURGA
Chandi is a form of Goddess Durga in her fierce mood to protect her children. She is the supreme Goddess of Devi Mahatmya, also known as Durga Sapthashati, who described the seven different moods of Durga.
Chandi is described as the supreme reality that is a combination of Mahakali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati. There are no references to Chandi in any Vedic literature.
This may be because the Chandi deity (Kali, Durga, etc.) belonged to the non-Hindu or Sanskrit tradition of Hinduism. Worshiping the power of the Almighty in feminine form (Devi Mahatmya), is the main seat of the Shakta or Goddess tradition and the tantric sadhana since ancient times. In Devi Mahatmya, Chandi, Chandika, Ambika and Durga have been used as synonyms.
The legend of the Goddess is described in Devi Mahatmya. The great Goddess was born from the energies of male divinities when the gods weakened in the prolonged battle with demons or asuras.
All the energies of the gods came together and became supernova, throwing flames in all directions. Then that unique light, which permeated the Three Worlds with its brightness, combined into one and became a feminine form that we adore as Durga, Kali, Chandi, and such. Chandi is one of the most spectacular personifications of cosmic energy.
In other scriptures, Chandi is portrayed as helping Kali in her battle with the demon Raktabija. Raktabija had the supernatural power to regenerate himself as his duplicates, for every drop of his blood fell to the ground. Chandi and Kali worked together to kill the demon.
Chandi dedicated herself to destroying the armies of demons created from Raktabija’s blood and finally killed him while Kali was engaged in drinking the blood that came out of Raktabija before he fell to the ground.
Therefore, Her tongue is outside and she wears the heads of demons that came from Raktabija. Later they killed two other demons, Chanda and Munda who gave the name of Chamunda to the new form of Durga. This is described in Skanda Purana.
Worship OF FIVE BASIC GODS
Panchadevata
All Hindu puja rituals involve the worship of other gods and goddesses before focusing on the main deity. These gods and goddesses regulate our lives in many ways.
These include the group of five gods or Panchadevata, the Guardians of the directions (Dashadikpal) and the nine planets (Navagraha) worshipped, and also the various incarnations of Vishnu (Dashavatar) that connect to our evolutionary biological process.
The group of five Gods (one is Goddess) is Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya, and Jagadhatri (Parvati). They are worshiped in three steps: Dhyan, offering, and pranam. You cannot repeat the worship of those Gods whom you have already worshiped.
For Ganesh, Vishnu, Sun and Durga.
Meditation
Take a flower in your left palm. Hold it with the mudra for meditation (kurma). Imagine Ganesh, Vishnu, the sun, and Durga on your mental screen, sing the mantra and place the flower in the sacred pitcher, imagining that you are putting the flower on its feet. You must do the puja separately.
Offerings
Offer water to wash the Lord’s feet on the offering plate.
Pranam
With your hands together look for the blessings of god.
Durga idol
The idols are made of straw and clay. In the bamboo frame, an idol structure is made of straw on which layers of clay are plastered and smoothed to give the final shape.
The face, fingers, and other parts of the body are made of mold. After painting and drawing the eyes, the idol is decorated with appropriate clothing and ornaments made of imitation jewelry.
It has been a great sight to see the creation of idols by expert potters (tumor) in their studios generally located in a fixed enclave called Kumorpara. Long before the puja, the preparations begin.
The organizers begin to enter into these studies and make advance payments for their idols. Sometimes they ask for a stylistic change for their idol and instruct the potter to make an idol especially.
Now, these innovative forms of idols have become a fashion of the day and many of the organizers are famous for new inventions every year. For all the puja that attracts the crowd, the “theme” of the panel remains the main attraction, which is more fashionable and adds prestige to the organizers.
Much before the actual puja, panel makers begin their work. They create large buildings or temples or palaces mainly of perishable materials. These are not real but have the feeling of hyperreal.
These structures often present us with a world that is not a replica of something real, but the perfect representation of the order of reality. The Mahiṣasuramardini (a goddess who kills the buffalo demon) is the pristine form.
HOW DURGA PUJA HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT
The four most important functions of Durga puja are (i) cosmic rejuvenation; (ii) Empowerment on a personal, sovereign, communal, political, and economic level; (iii) fertility; and (iv) Religious functions.
The timing of worship compared to the agricultural calendar seems to be very adequate since there is little pressure from agricultural labor during this period. The weather is also very comfortable.
Another point that many older people often refer to is that the number of puja increases day by day, however, religious devotion is decreasing. They attribute this to the rising unemployment of young people, which they say has a substantial role in the growth of puja.
Therefore, the economy seems to play an important role in this way in the recent rise of Durga worship.
Durga puja is organized at the community level. When carried out in the homes of the class elite people, it also carries the collective spirit through the participation of the whole family or lineage. In worship, different castes and classes of people have respective roles.
Prostitutes who are generally considered marginal and undervalued in society are not strangers; the soil is required from the entrance of her house in Durga puja.
In traditional society, untouchable castes such as Dom, which are drummers, potters, weavers, and barbers, have many professional engagements. In contemporary society, this participation of the various cross sections of society as indicated above is also manifest. Political conventions also classify this space as a place of power.
Durga puja is the occasion that allows us to know our potential as a collective force and gives us the feeling that, as a collective, we are enormously powerful.
It is both a pleasant feeling. Devisukta which reveals the goddess before us and is the enchantment prescribed ritually before the actual reading of Chandi at the time of Durgāpūjā sheds some light on this individual-collective relationship.
Daily Puja Arrangement
- Raised platform: Deity, an elevated platform, book, inkpot, and pen.
- Pushpapatra (flower plate): flower, sandalwood paste, wet rice, haritaki, durba, tulsi, belpata, til, mashkalai, Supari, red thread.
- Lamp plate: lamp holder and dhupbatti and dhup stand.
- Puja accessories for priests: water conch (jalashankha), kosha-Kushi (pot to hold water for the priest during the puja), bell, and as for the priest.
- Ghat and Kathi: pitcher full of water placed on some soil, five grains scattered on the ground (panchsashya) if not available, use rice, five-colored powder sprinkled on the earth (yantra or pattern is recommended), vermilion powder pasted in oil (put the mark on the pitcher).
- The design can be the swastika or the Vastupurush (king of the earth). A small gamma (a piece of red cloth) is used to cover the pitcher.
- Two small bowls: (a) Yogurt with some mashkali grains (called Mashabhaktabali). (b) Madhuparka: honey, ghee, sugar, milk, and yogurt.
- Tumblers: two glasses of water, sweets (misri), raisins, spring water, fruit in the pitcher (coconut is recommended), and five leaves of fruit-bearing trees (mango leaves are recommended).
- Utensils to herald puja celebrations: Sankha (conch to blow), Kansas, and bell.
- Naivedya: Four naivedyas are usually made: Naranaya (if shaligram is present), Pancha devata (Ganesh, Vishnu, Surya, Shiva, and Jagadhari / Durga), and Navagraha (nine planets).
- For Narayana, make a small mound of sugar and candy. Panchadevata naivedya has five molds of rice associated with small fruits and small sugar cubes. Navagraha naivedya is made with good rice mounds (small mounds) with a sugar cube on the top and grapes (or any small fruit) on the top of the mound.
- Arati: Panchapradeep, a small gamcha (piece of red cloth), incense, camphor, (chamar). Other things used are described below: water conch, bell, holder for burning camphor, flowers, etc.
Layout
Before starting the puja, place the puja materials in the place of the puja. The search for the materials you need, while the puja is in progress, disrupts the process of puja. In this distraction, the purpose of the puja is lost. Therefore, review the entire script and verify if all materials will be available when requested.
We have listed here the list of things we need and their location. According to your ability, the below list can be modified. Your thought is more important than your materials.
- The deity and the displays (offerings).
- Seat for Tantradharak (the help of the priest).
- Asan (seat) of the priest: a small patterned carpet.
- Narayana Sheela is on a pedestal.
- Ghat: This is a pitcher full of water placed in a bit of soil that symbolizes elements of life. Five types of grains (rice, wheat, barley, mashkalai or black lentils, and black sesame) are scattered on top of the earth (panchsashya). If there are not five grains available, use rice. Five colored powders are spread on the ground (yantra or pattern is recommended). Vermilion powder is mixed with a little oil to create a paste that is used to create the design in the pot: the swastika or Vastupurush. Five leaves of a fruit tree (mango recommended) are inserted around the neck of the pot, and a fruit (usually a coconut) is placed in the opening of the pot.
- Put a garland on the pitcher. Use four sticks to mark the corners of a rectangle around the pitcher (you can use clay to keep the sticks upright). Wrap a red thread around the top of the sticks to create a rectangle.
- Lamp, lamp holder, incense (Bhupathi), and incense holder. In ancient times, the lamp was needed to see the diet. The incense provided a sweet-smelling fragrance.
- Madhuparka (honey-milk-sugar-yogurt-ghee)
- Mashabhaktabali: Mashabhaktabali (yogurt) with some grains of mashkalai (black lentil) is offered as an offering to the spirits of all ancestors.
- Bell
- The water content of the priest (kosha-Kushi): the water in this container is used to offer water.
- Chirag (King of the Earth).
- Pushpapatra (flower plate): Pushpa Patra – Plate to hold flowers. It also contains sandalwood paste for fragrance, durba which is a special herb with three leaves that represents nature, haritaki (seed) or supari (betel nut) (represents the growth of success), red thread (tied around the wrist after the puja for protection), mashkalai (black lentils, offerings to the spirits), wet rice and sesame(oilseeds) (food offerings).
- Paper towel or Yamcha for the priest
- Water conch
- Tamrapatra: a plate to hold the water offered
Arati sequence:
Pancha Pradeep, water conch, Yamcha, flower, mirror, incense, camphor, and fan.
The worship of the goddess with a lamp (arati) is a kind of dance that symbolizes in sequence: welcoming the goddess with a lamp in the house (panchapradeep), washing the feet (water from water conch), wiping the feet with Yamcha, decoration with flower, mirror to look at the face, purify the air (incense and camphor) and rest (fan).
Keep some bottles of drinking water in stock, a small bottle of oil to feed the lamp, some additional incense sticks, and a matchbox.
ESTABLISHING THE HOLY Pitcher (Kalasha Sthapan)
The sacred pitcher and the five great elements of life
The Pancha mahabhuta, or “five great elements” are Tej (energy), Ap (water), kshiti (earth), Marut (air), and Vyom (cosmos). It is believed by Hindus that all creation including the human body is composed of these five essential elements and that, upon death, the human body dissolves into these five elements of nature, thus balancing the cycle of nature.
Life depends on these five great elements and in the same way we trust in God and his blessing.
The Kalash (a sacred pitcher) represents all the five elements mentioned above where the leaves are the energy captured from the sun, the water is filled inside the pitcher and the earth is kept under the pitcher. The air and the cosmos naturally surround the pitcher.
The hymn exemplifies the Hindu concept of creation. It is enchanted when the sacred pitcher is established. Hiranyagarbha means ‘golden womb’ or ‘golden egg’, poetically translated as ‘universal germ’. It is the source of the creation of the Universe or the manifested cosmos.
He declares that God manifested himself at the beginning as the Creator of the Universe, encompassing all things, including everything within himself.
- Hold the pitcher’s neck with both hands and chant
- Fold your hands and pray to the sacred pitcher:
- Hold the jar with both hands and repeat the mantra
- Pray for the sacred pitcher with your hands together
Cordoning the pitcher
The holy pitcher is cordoned off by planting four arrowhead sticks (Kandatropan) in the four corners around the pitcher and surrounding a red thread the sticks.
Planting arrowhead sticks
In the four corners of the sacred pitcher, place four sticks (3-5 mm in diameter, 2 feet high) with an arrowhead on top of each. This is commonly known as tirkAi (tirkathi). The arrowhead is made of dried palm leaves they are inserted into the split top of the stick, making it look like the three-leaf (iconic) durba grass.
If palm leaves are not available, use thin pieces of wood or rough green leaves, inserted into the split top of the sticks, with the intent of making them stick. The tirkAi (tirkathi) imitates durba grass. The sticks are inserted into the clay balls at the base (imitating the earth). Foam cups filled with moist soil can be used.
The pitcher, symbolic of the basic elements of life, is surrounded by four sticks called tirkathi and a continuous red thread (five rounds). The tirkathi and the thread seem to mean the interwoven relationship of the family and the community with the creation of the basic elements of life.
Place four bamboo sticks on all four sides of the pitcher. Hold the sticks in four clay balls (traditional) or use four foam cups with moist soil. The sticks are divided at the top to hold the palm leaves (traditional, or use similar rigid leaves available locally). Make a three-pointed spearhead with the leaves cut into pieces. This is symbolic of durba grass, whose tip usually has three leaves.
Circling thread
The continuous red thread, in circles around the tirkathi (tir = arrowhead, Kathi = stick), which surrounds the sanctified pitcher, is the icon of the interwoven relationship of the family and community with the essence of life.
Make a clockwise circle (Kathi, a slang expression of tirkathi), with a red thread, five or seven times. Pass the thread through each stick. Chant while tying the thread.
Elimination of obstacle
Several obstacles can disrupt Puja. Then the devotee prays to God for removing those obstacles that may come during the puja process. This is done through sound and action.
Throw a flower on the plate of offerings. Then, circle the palm of your right hand around the left palm three times and then strike the left palm with two fingers (middle and pointing fingers) of your right hand.
Dashadikapal Puja
Prayer for the Guardians of the Directions
Das means ten, dik is direction and pal is protection. Therefore, Dasdikpal means the ten-direction protector.
The deities connected to the protection of the ten directions of this land are Indra (east), Agni (south-east), Yama (south), Nairiti (south-west), Varun west), Vayu (north-west), Kuber (north), Isha (north-east), Brahma (upward), Anant (downward). Show your respect by offering some water, flowers, or rice on behalf of each deity.
Dashavatarer Puja
Prayer for ten incarnations of Vishnu
Here are listed ten incarnations (avatar) of Vishnu, which relate to the evolution of humans: Matsavatar, Kurmavatar, Barahavatar, Narsinghavatar, Vamanavatar, Parashuram, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki. Pay tribute by offering a sandalwood-drenched flower to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Worship of the divinities at the entrance
Dwardevata Puja
The house is considered a temple (Vastudevata) guarded by the gods at the entrance. These gods help to eliminate obstacles (Ganesha) or bring good luck and wealth to the family (Lakshmi and Kuber). Therefore, before the core of the puja, they are worshiped.
Take two flowers dipped in sandalwood paste and offer them to the Gods of the entrance. Ask a family member to take the flower to the front door and leave it on the step.
The entrance is usually decorated with water pots, marked with vermilion powder, and contains banana sprouts or any green foliage. Some families also decorate the floor, which is symbolic of the invitation of divinity.
Several gods are called and worshiped at the entrance of the puja place with the request to sanctify the place of worship. The call of the Gods is made through five gestures, called mudras that welcome them and ask them to stay with the devotee during the ceremony.
ADORATION OF NINE PLANETS
Nabagraha Worship
Naba is nine and Graha is the cosmic influencer of the living being on this earth (Bhumidevi).
These include five planets: Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brahaspati (Jupiter), Sukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn); Sun (Aditya, Rabi), Moon (som), as well as the Moon’s orbital positions in the sky: Ketu (south or descending lunar node) and Rahu (north or ascending lunar node).
During puja, the enchanted mantras take care of all nine planets. During Havan, the worship of the individual members of Nabagraha is performed. Make five offerings in the names of the nine planets.
Durga dhyan
Meditation on Durga
Take a flower in the left palm and Dhyan mudra meditate on the image of Devi Durga in your heart before bringing the idol to life.
Mental offerings
Manas Puja
Manas puja simply means to worship mentally. You meditate on the deity (Goddess Durga) and worship her after letting her sit in your heart on her throne. You perform all the rituals but all are in imagination, fulfilling your desire to the content of your heart without lifting your finger.
Some people consider this to be the best form of worship where you see that your dream comes true by establishing close contact with the Goddess.
Sit in padmasan. Take a flower and put the flower on your head. Close your eyes and think of the luminous Goddess sitting in the lotus of your heart.
Hold the mental image and offer her a bath and various puja materials that are normally offered, including a dhup and lamp. Finally, offer your humble respect without any mantra to chant, except humming with the Mul mantra.
Prayer after Arati
JAYANTI MANGALA KALI BHADRA KAALI KAPALINI,
DURGA SHIVA KSHAMA DHATRI SVAHA SVADHA NAMOHSTUTE
Oh, Goddess Durga You are victorious over evil and, gracious. you are kind and compassionate. You are the eternal truth beyond the limitations of mortals. You are not obvious and yet you are present in our consciousness (Atman). You are the indulgent mother of the world. Accept my offering and sacrifice. I bow before You with reverence.
Durga Puja principles
Saptami Puja
INVOCATION PRAYERS
Meditation (Dhyan)
Take a flower in the left palm and Dhyan mudra meditate on the image of Devi Durga in your heart before giving life to the idol.
Resolution (Sankalpa)
Take some water from the Kushi and place it in the left palm. Grasp the Kushi in a way that the narrow side faces the deity. Put a flower dipped in sandalwood and some rice with durba grass.
Chant by covering the Kushi with the right palm. After the chanting, turn over the Kushi on the offering plate (Tamra Patra).
Hymn of Resolution (Samaveda)
This prayer is intended to seek heavenly grace to successfully completion of worship.
Goddess Durga’s reception
WORSHIP OF NAVAPATRIKA
Entry of Navapatrika (Nabapatrika Prabesh)
Nine twigs of plants, after receiving a large bath in the local pond enter the place of the puja for worship. In other places, twigs are previously tied in a group and placed next to Ganesha. This awaits a formal reception, bath, and worship.
Reception
Place a flower on Nabapatrika’s feet and chant. This offers reverence to the Goddess.
Bathing of Nabapatrika (Nabapatrika Snan)
After anointing her body, prepare the Nabapatrika for a bath. This can be done in situ or in a large container where her reflection can be seen in a mirror.
Remember: Nabapatrika consists of nine branches: (as mentioned above) and, therefore, while bathing, each receives a separate recognition. Put some oil in the Nabapatrika along with the turmeric, and chant while rubbing the oil on her.
Sacred Bath of Goddess Durga (Mahasnan)
Place a mirror in a large bowl and allow the image of Goddess Durga to be reflected in the mirror. The bath will be done in the reflection of the goddess in the mirror.
Water of Kamandalu (Bhringar jal)
Use the Kamandalu while pouring pure spring in the mirror. Pour some water from the Ganga river into the kamandalu and then pour the water in the mirror that shows the reflection of the goddess Durga or pour water from the conch in the mirror where you can see the reflection of Devi Durgas.
Or take some water in the Kushi. Hold it over the flame of the lamp. Then pour it into the kamandalu and pour its water over the mirror chanting the mantra. Pour a little perfume into kamandalu water (or put some sandalwood paste) and bathe.
Or, put some yogurt in the mirror and chant the mantra. Bathe with a little milk poured from a small glass. Pour a small amount of melted ghee into the mirror while chanting. Or, pour some honey in the mirror with the reflection of Goddess Durga.
Welcome of Durga
Durgar Abahan
Touch the base of the idol (you may have to use a kush to reach it).
Activating the idol’s eyes
Take a kush (dry grass) and put the oily lamp soot (kajal) on its tip. (The soot is made by holding the kajallata (soot bowl) smeared with little oil and held on the flame of an oil lamp).
Note: For the Goddesses first activate the left eye and then the right eye. For the gods, first the right eye and then the left eye. The upper eye is done at the end. While brushing your left eye, chant the mantra.
Infusion of life (Pranpratishtha)
Before starting the Pranpratishtha ritual, count the Mula mantra of Durga ten times. Then, between your right ring finger and thumb, take a flower. Then hold the flower in the position of the heart of the Devi and chant. Following the mantra, leave the flower at the feet of the deity.
Now, jap ten times with Mulmantra of Goddess Durga in her heart (in the same way that Gayatri is done) with the mantra. Then do the Gayatri ten times.
Following the pranpratishtha of Goddess Durga, move to each deity, including Mahishashur, Shiva, and all children and pets. In each case, hold the flower in the heart and chant the mantra.
Worship of the accompanying members of the Durga family.
Pratimasthadevata puja
Four children of Durga accompany her to visit the land once a year during Durga puja. They are his two sons, Kartik and Ganesh, and his two daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Each of them has its divine powers and is worshiped at different times of the year. When they come with their mother at this time of year, they are worshiped together with Goddess Durga.
Sandhipuja, as the name implies, is the puja that is made between Ashtami and Navami which usually comes in the middle of the night. Many of the rituals are repetitions of Ashtami where the Goddess is worshiped as the War Chief. Note: Many names are repeated deliberately.
Invocation prayer
Worship of Durga as Chamunda, worship of Sixty-Four Forms of Goddess Durga, offering of one hundred and eight lamps.
Mahanavami Puja
Invocation prayers
Traditionally, Mahanavami is the fourth day of Durga Puja; the first three are Shashthi, Saptami, and Ashtami. In the west, however, it is the last day of the weekend puja and, therefore, it is combined with Dashami.
In any case, the invocation prayers are done in the same way as for Saptami / Ashtami, with a small modification to suit Navami tithi. If Mahanavami is done on a fresh day, the priest should follow Saptami for Mahasnan and the offerings (according to available facilities).
Sankalpa (Resolution)
Place the Kushi with a little water on the left palm, as was done for the Sankalpa. In the Kushi place a haritaki, a flower, and some rice.
After completing the resolution, turn over the Kushi in the offering plate (Tamra Patra). Then retrieve the Kushi back to the kosha.
Welcome to the Goddess, showing the welcome mudras.
Sacrifice (you can do the day of Ashtami or Sandhi puja)
Although Balidan or sacrifice meant the offering of “self” to the Goddess, it took a turn among those who ate meat (non-vegetarians), before the Buddhist era (500 BC).
Thus, the “animal sacrifice” became an integral part of Durga Puja. However, in modern times, animal lovers have banned the public slaughter of animals.
Thus, the suckling lamb (or goat) was replaced by whole fruit such as bananas or vegetables such as cucumbers or pumpkins. The rituals continue.
Wash the banana, clean it with a paper towel, and mark it with vermilion paste (powder mixed with butter or oil). Do the same with the knife. The vermilion represents the blood. Put a flower on the knife and chant.
HAVAN – Kushundika
Preparatory arrangement
- If available, use havan (or hom) kunda and spread a layer of sand on it.
- Keep the ghee (concentrated butter) in a metal pot and a package of sticks for the offering.
- Keep a glass overflowing with rice on a plate with a supari (betel nut) and a coin on top. This is called (purnapatra).
- Put a cover on the head of the devotee who performs the ritual.
- Make a tilak mark on the forehead of the devotee/priest.
- The devotee/priest should eat simple vegetarian food the night before.
- The devotee/priest must wear a silver ring or a kush ring in his hand.
Resolution (Sankalpa)
Take the Kushi with water, flower, durba, little rice, a flower, and haritaki in the left hand. Cover the Kushi with your right hand and declare the goal of fire worship. After completing the resolution, turn over the Kushi on the offering plate (Tamra Patra), and ring the bell that declares the beginning of the fire worship ritual.
Dedication of sip water three times from your right palm seeking the blessing of Vishnu, our preserver. Then pray with your hands together.
Rekha Pant (Chimney Mark)
Traditionally, the Havan Kunda is prepared, and filled with sand, and its borders are marked with the ring finger while the thumb is touching the ring finger. These markings describe the colors of the fire.
Make four markings on all four sides of the Havan Kunda, one on the sand, and one in the center. A small stick can be used instead of the finger since the Havan Kunda is often small in size. Mark four sides of the kunda and in the center. Marking by the exact address may not be convenient.
Putting the fire
Make your offerings of fire (sticks bathed in butter) to the nine planets
KUMARI PUJA
(Worship of a virgin girl, which symbolizes Goddess Durga)
Goddess Durga is worshiped in various ways during her period of stay on earth. One of those forms is the “Kumari”, the virgin form. To imagine the Goddess in the mold of a Kumari is an ancient concept.
The Kumari is the most powerful form of Mahashakti. She has the potential to give birth to a new life. Thus, Kumari Shakti is symbolically the basis of all creation. Our scriptures have emphasized Kumari Puja particularly to evolve the purity and divinity of women in society.
A girl between one to sixteen, symbolizing the Kumari form of Devi, is worshiped in front of the idol of Goddess Durga. The scriptures mention the great care with which the Kumari is selected to be worshiped as the earthly representative of Devi Durga.
The qualities required in the girl have to match the dynamism, purity, and serenity of the Goddess. A calm, serene and single girl with a bright disposition between one and sixteen, who has not yet reached puberty and is devoid of desire, worldly pleasures, and anger, is the right requirement for the Kumari Puja.
Depending on the age of the girls, they are worshiped in the various forms of the Goddess. A three-year-old girl is worshiped in the Tridha form of Durga and a four-year-old girl is worshiped in the Kalika mold of the Devi. Subhaga and Uma are the forms of Durga for a child of five and six years respectively.
The worship is usually done by someone (man or woman) who wishes to do the puja in front of the Goddess. He/she might have chosen her own Kumari and the priest needs to help him perform the ceremony. It is interesting to note that the scripture allows Kumari of any caste, but a Brahmin Kumari is generally preferred.
Vijaya Dashami Puja
Dashami is the conclusion of the four-day celebration of Durga Puja. Before Goddess Durga leaves the earth and begins her journey to her abode in the Himalayas (heaven), she receives a sweet special gift (dadhi karma) as a token of good wishes from the mortals.
The priest, after offering the sweet, concludes the four days of Devi Puja, moves the sacred pitcher, and sprinkles water from the sacred pitcher with his chant of peace. He also prays to the Goddess to forgive his mistakes and be rewarded for the work he did during the four days of the puja ceremony.
After the completion of the puja rituals performed by the priest, all women participate in an emotional farewell to Goddess Durga seeking her blessing for the long life of their husbands and the happiness of their families.
They put vermilion powder on the hair of the parting of Goddess Durga and her forehead. Then, they put the vermilion powder on other married women in the puja, which becomes a play of colors for everyone.
Farewell to Goddess Durga
Dadhikarma or Dadhikarmbha
This special sweet preparation consists of flat rice, sweet puffed rice, yogurt, sweet, and banana. After mixing, they are placed in large bowls for their offering to Goddess Durga and then distributed as consecrated prasad for all to share.
Goddess Durga’s reception (Cosmetics offer)
In this ritual, the devotee offers cosmetics to please the Goddess, who now comes to the puja platform. The offering concludes with a special gesture of reception, called baran, which indicates an honorable welcome to the great guest, Goddess Durga.
Resolution (for Adidas)
Take the tray (railing) that may have the following (and more): a Lamp, the soil of the river Ganges, sandalwood, a small piece of stone, rice, flour, a fruit (supari or beetle nut), swastika (a sheet with a swastika sign or a metal with the sign), kajal-can (the container containing black soot, mixed with oil, for eyebrow decoration), shell, vermilion (sindoor), yogurt, ghee, gold, silver, white mustard, turmeric (Archana).
Last day
On the last day of the festival, the goddess idol is immersed in seawater/ river water. The festival concludes, the pandal is dismantled and the space returns to daily life. This festival keeps traditions alive through the annual rituals of construction, participation, visualization, and debate.
Durga Prayers
- Om aurdehi jashodehi bhagyam bhagavati dehimey | Putran dehi dhanam dehi sarban kamanscha dehmey | Om bhagavati bhayochhedey bhava bhabini kamadey | Shankari koushiki twam hi katayani namohastutey ||
- Oh, Goddess! Give me long life, fame, fortune, sons, and wealth, and fulfill all my wishes. Oh, Goddess! You remove all our fears and fulfill our desires. You are Kaushiki, wife of Shiva, (a beautiful woman warrior); You are also Kattayani (daughter of sage Kattayan and a form of Durga). I bow to you with reverence.
- Om Prachanda trade nityam surprise suranaike | Kuladyota Kare Devi jayam dehi namohastute || Om rudrachande Prachanda team Prachanda balashalini | Raksha mam Barbato Devi bishweshwari namohastutey ||
- In the form Prachandey, you are the life-giver of our sons. You bring delight as leader of the gods. You bring brilliance and victory to the family. I bow to you with great reverence. You are the ferocious forms of the Goddess, Rudra Chanda, and Prachanda. Oh Goddess you give strength to us all and protect us always. I bow to you with reverence; Oh the Goddess of the Universe.
- Om Durgottarini surgery team sarbaashubha nibarini | Dharmartha mokshadey Devi nityam may Barada bhava || Om Durgey surgery mahabhagey trauma Shankarapriye | Mahishasringa madonmattey pranatoshmi passed my ||
- You are the one who rescues me from my troubles, you remove all the misfortunes. You guide me through the right path, make me wealthy, and liberate me from my bondage. So I worship you all the time || Oh the Durga, you are eternal, and the favorite of Shiva, Please rescue me from my troubles, You are the wild who slayed the buffalo demon. I bow to you with reverence; give me your blessings.
- OM HARAA PAPAM HARAA KLESHAM HARAA SHOKAM HARAA ASHUBHAM | HARAA ROGAM HARAA KHOBHAM HARAA MARIM HARAPRIYE || OM KALI KALI MAHAKALI KALIKEY PAPAHARINI | DHARMARTHA KAMA SAMPATTIM DEHI DEVI NAMASTUTE ||
- Take away all my sins, tiredness, sadness, and bad luck. Take away all diseases, frustrations, and pandemics, Oh the favorite of Shiva (Durga) || Oh the Kali, Kali, Mahakali (mother of darkness) who destroys our sin (ignorance) Liberatess us from worldly passion and desire. I bow before you with reverence.
- Om mahishaghni mahamaye chamundey mundamalini | Aur arogya Vijayam dehi Devi namastutey || Om aurdadhatu mey Kali putran dehi sada Shivey | Dhanam dehi mahamaye Narasinhi jasho mama ||
- Oh the slayer of the buffalo demon, the mother of illusion, The wearer of the skulls of the monsters as your garland, Bless me to conquer all diseases and to lead a healthy life Bless me with long life and with many sons, Oh the wife of Shiva. Could you give me a wealth of wisdom? Oh, the great Goddess Narashinghi (Favorite of Narasinghavatar, Vishnu) brings me great fame.
- OM SHIRO MEY CHANDIKAA PATU KANTHAM PATU MAHESHWARI | HRIDAYAM PATU CHAMUNDAA SARBATAH PATU KALIKAA || OM ANDHYAM KUSHTANCHAA DARIDYAM ROGAM SHOKANCHAA DARUNNAM | BANDHU SWAJANAA BAIRAGYAM DURGEY TWAM HARAA DURGATIM ||
- Chandika (supreme goddess) is on the headrests, and the throat is Shiva, our protector (patu). In the heart is the seat of Chamunda. (the fearsome aspect of Divine Mother who killed both the demons Chanda and Munda). While Kali (the Goddess of time and Death) protects us all. Durga takes away the miseries of the blind, the lepers, poverty, and illness, removes our depression, stands by those devoid of relations and friends, and removes all our miseries.
- Om rajyam tasyaa pratishthaa cha Lakshmi tasyaa sada sthiraa | Prabhutam tasyaa samarthyam jashya twam mastakopari || Om jayam dehi mahamaye jagatasya aparajeetey | Trailokya swamini twam hi kshutpipasarthi nashini ||
- All I have – my property, prosperity and fame, earnings are all yours. I acquired them with your power and blessing on my head, Oh the victorious Goddess, Oh the undefeated Goddess of the Universe, you are the ruler of the three worlds (heaven, earth, and the world in between). You are the one who takes away our hunger and thirst.
- Om dhanyoham kritakrityoham saphalam jibanam mama | Agatashi jato Durgey Maheshwari mamalayam || Om arghyam pushpancha naivedyam malyam malayabasini || Grihana baradey Devi kalyanam kuru mey sada ||
- I am so very blessed, and so very grateful to you for making my life so full, As you came to my house Oh Goddess Durga. Take my revered offerings, the flower and the food platter, the flowers from the garden, and the garland. Please oblige me by accepting them and bless me always.
- Om chandanena samalabdhey kukumena bilepitey | Bilwapatram kritapirey Durgey twam sharanam gata || Om mantra hinam kriyahinam bhaktihinam sureshwari | Jat pujitam maya Devi paripurnam tadastumey ||
- I have obtained the sandalwood and vermilion, anointed on apple wood leaves. I seek your shelter Oh Goddess Durga. I neither know the mantras nor the rituals. My devotion may also be lacking, yet in whatever way I could do the worship, through your blessing please make it perfect.
- Om kayena manasa bacha karmana ja kritam maya | Tat sarbam paripurnamtey tad prasadat sureshwari ||
- Whatever I have done through my body, mind, speech, and action (in worshipping you). There will be many shortcomings. Please fulfill those voids, oh Goddess, the beloved of Shiva, and make them complete by your grace.
By Poonam Neupane
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