HAPPY NAVARATRI. MAY DURGA DEVI BLESS US ALL.
In
West Bengal, Durga Puja is celebrated grandly on Mahalaya, Shasthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami,
Maha Nabomi and Bijoya Dashami. It starts on Shasthi when Goddess
Durga is welcomed to house.This year it is celebrated from October 20 2012
(Saturday) to October 24 2012 (Wednesday). In rest of the country it is
celebrated as Navratri
from October 16 2012 (Tuesday) to October 23 2012 (Tuesday).
Sri Durga Arati |
Navratri,
the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to
worship of Ma Durga, the Goddess of
Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of
Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratari, feasting and fasting take
precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give
rise to the religious dances in order to worhip Goddess Durga Maa.
1st
- 3rd day of Navratri :
On
the first day of the Navaratras, a small bed of mud is prepared in the puja
room of the house and barley seeds are sown on it. On the tenth day, the shoots
are about 3 - 5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled
out and given to devotees as a blessing from god. These initial days are
dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and
energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and
Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three
different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the
mature woman.
4th - 6th day of Navratri:
During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is
worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is
traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light
a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
7th - 8th day of Navratri:
These final days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the
spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on
the 8th day of this colourful festival,
yagna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice
pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.
Mahanavami:
The festival of Navratri culminates
in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls
representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are
washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new
clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of
the country.
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