The pandals and Durga Maa idol decoration have started, and everything is prepared for the celebration of Durga Puja 2025. It is known to be one of the most vibrant and beautiful festivals, particularly for the Bengali community, showcasing a significantly rich illustration of spirituality, culture, and artistry. It is more than just a festival; it is a feeling, a means of expressing one's deep faith and belief in a higher power. Let us see how the Durga Puja is celebrated and the story behind it.
Numerous rites, traditions, and celebrations are connected to Durga Puja. Durga's eyes are ceremoniously painted on the clay statues to be worshipped in the pandals before the goddess's entrance. The main time for adoration is during the final five days of the celebration.
Each ritual is accompanied by several incantations, Sanskrit lyrics, readings from the Devi Mahatmya, and recitations of the Durga Saptashati, which are verses devoted to the goddess. From Shashthi till the ninth day, Navami, the bodhan (waking) ceremony is held daily. The Nabapatrika Snan, a predawn bath for Ganesha's wife, symbolised by a banana plant, starts off the seventh day, Saptami.
Ashtami, the eighth and most auspicious day, is celebrated with shondhi puja, a ritual performed at the change from Ashtami to Navami, and anjali, a flower tribute performed by devotees. An arti, a ritual in which the deity is worshipped with lamps and incantations, usually marks the conclusion of the evening. Occasionally, 9 girls (Kanya Pujan) are worshipped as living goddesses during a kumari puja.
The ritual dance known as dhunuchi, which gets its name from the unique incense burners the dancers hold, is performed by celebrants on Ashtami and Navami. Every day of the event, dhaks, which are drums, are played to accompany the dancing. One of the most vibrant traditions, sindoor khela, occurs on the morning of Vijayadashami. Marital ladies apply sindoor to an incarnation of Durga and to each other. Sindoor is placed in the parting of the hair to symbolise the marital condition. The Visarjan, or the immersion of Durga in water, marks the end of the celebrations and represents her return to Mount Kailas.
Maa Durga, often called the Mother Goddess, is the warrior aspect of Parvati, the consort of Shiva (God of Transformation), who protects the downtrodden with ferocious anger and nurtures creation. According to certain traditions, Navratri is celebrated by honouring one of the nine Durga forms, each of the nine forms of Maa Durga, which are mentioned below:
Shailaputri: The daughter of the Himalayan ruler Hemavana, Shailaputri is honoured on the first night of Navratri. Known as the "mother of nature," she is portrayed riding a bull and clutching a trident in one hand, which stands for the past, present, and future, and a lotus flower, which symbolises dedication.
Brahmacharini: Her name translates to "one who observes austerity," and she is honoured on the second night. She is holding a water pot in her left hand and prayer beads in her right, symbolising the practice of penance in pursuit of an auspicious objective. She is said to grant success and victory.
Chandraghanta: Chandraghanta, who is named for the half-moon that resembles a bell on her forehead and is referred to as her third eye, is honoured on the third night. Chandraghanta, riding a tiger with ten hands full of weapons, upholds justice and gives followers bravery and strength.
Kushmanda: The "founder of the universe," Kushmanda, is honoured on the 4th night of the Navratri. She is considered to infuse the universe with vitality and light, and she is typically portrayed with eight arms riding a lion.
Skandamata: The fifth night is devoted to Skandamata, who is known as the "god of war" and is the mother of Kartikeya, a deity of yoga and spiritual development. She has four arms and holds a baby Kartikeya in her lap while sitting on a lotus, highlighting her heavenly nature.
Katyayani: One of Durga's strongest forms, Katyayani, is honoured on the sixth night. She dispels evil and darkness, bringing calm to her followers. She is portrayed with wild hair and up to eighteen arms, all of which are armed.
Kalaratri: The seventh night is devoted to Kalaratri, also called Shubankari, which translates to "doing well" in Sanskrit, because she bestows upon her followers both courage and good fortune. In addition to having four arms, dark skin, and unkempt hair, she is one of Durga's most dangerous forms.
Mahagauri: The eighth night honours Mahagauri, which translates to "very white." She eases her devotees' pain by wearing white, a sign of peace.
Siddhidatri: The final night is devoted to Siddhidatri, who is known as the "provider of supernatural powers." Perched atop a lotus blossom, she
During Navratri, all of Durga's forms, which stand for the various facets of the divine feminine energy that we all encounter and benefit from in life, are revered and gratefully honoured.
In Hindu mythology, Durga Puja is associated with a number of legends, but the most significant ones are related to the fight against the buffalo monster Mahishasura. The Devi Mahatmya, a section of the Markandeya Purana, contains the earliest mention of this narrative.
Mahishasura was an invincible demon who, after obtaining a blessing that said no man could overcome him, launched an offensive against the gods and devas. By uniting their strength, the final three gods were able to restore their abilities through Goddess Durga, also known as "the invincible." At the gods' request, this goddess was given weapons to attack Mahishasura.
On the battlefield, Mahishasura changed into a different person to defeat her in whichever shape she chose. Finally, following 10 days of intense combat, she decapitated him in his natural buffalo shape. The fact that Durga Puja 2025 is a time for the goddess to withdraw and repose is another aspect of its significance. It is said that Maa Durga leaves her house at Kailash Parvat with Shiva to visit her parents during the holiday season.
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What are the Durga Puja 2025 Dates and their Rituals
Let's celebrate each of these days with utmost devotion and remember that Navratri usually falls during India's fall harvest season. Hindus often offer prayers to Bhumi Devi, the mother goddess of the earth, who is regarded as the origin of all food.
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What is the story behind celebrating Durga Puja?
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