Customs and Rituals of Durga Puja

							Author Name : Vishal Shetty

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Title : Customs and Rituals of Durga Puja

Description : Prime focus of this article is the various traditional customs and rituals involved in Durga puja.
Explore the intricate customs and rituals followed in this sacred occasion.

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puja rituals, traditions and customs of durga puja, durga puja, durga puja 2010.

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Body :
Durga Puja or Bengalis' Durgotshab, is the greatest annual festival in the eastern region of India, mainly in West Bengal.
Starting from Mahalaya or Debipokkho (Fortnight of the Goddess) this amazing festivity continues until the immersion of
the Durga idol i.e. on Vijaya Dashami. Though this eminent festival is five day long but the zeal takes a flying start months
before. Mahalaya, the no-moon day(Amavyasa) of the month of Ashwin, marks the beginning of the Durga puja festivities.
Then after six days, the Durgotshob starts with Panchami (fifth day) and ends with Dashami (tenth day). Though the main
rituals starts from the seventh day from Mahalaya, that is from Saptami, for the mass, the festivity begins from the fifth day
(Maha Shasti). For these six consecutive days, Bengal and Bengalis engross themselves in a week-long gala festival marked
by unbound fun, frolic and feasting.

The following paragraphs discuss about the customs and rituals of a traditional Durga Puja. In case if you are wondering
when is Durga Puja 2010, then it is to inform you that this year, Durga Puja starts from 14th October, 2010 and ends on
17th October, 2010.

Maha Shashti ~ According to the Hindu mythology, on this day, Goddess Durga from her ethereal adobe comes to the earth,
accompanied by her four children. Devotees on this earth welcomes the Divine Mother with the dhak beats and great pomp.
On this day the ritual of unveiling the face of the idol is performed which is considered as the most significant ritual of the
day. This face unveiling ritual is followed by some other meaningful rituals like Bodhon, Amontron and Adhibas. Finally the
main Durga puja commences.

Maha Saptami ~ Traditionally Saptami is considered as the first day of Durga Puja. Nabapatrika or Kola-Bou, is given a
holy bath when the first rays of the sun kiss the surface of the earth. Then the tree-goddess is dressed in a yellow silk sari
with a red border and it is placed beside Lord Ganesha. Subsequently, the ritual of worshipping of nine types of plants is
performed. These nine types of plants are worshipped as nine different avatars of Durga. After this Kalparambha and
Mahasnan, Maha Saptami puja begins.

Maha Ashtami ~ The next day is Maha Ashtami which starts with reciting holy hymns from Sanskrit scriptures. Thousands
of people take part in this recital and offer Anjali to the Goddesses and Gods. This is a very popular part of the whole puja.
Kumari Puja or worshipping little girls as Devi Maa is probably the most significant part of the rituals performed on this day.
Another main part of Durga puja i.e. Sandhi Puja is performed in the evening of Maha Ashtami. Sandhikhhon is a point of
time when Maha Ashtami ends and Maha Navami begins. Thousands of diyas are illuminated, hom-yajna is perfomed as it
marks the sacrifice of the buffalo demon king, Mahishasura.

Maha Navami ~ The ninth day of Durga Puja is Maha Navami. The end of Sandhi Puja marks the beginning of Maha
Navami. By performing Maha Arti the priest brings a formal end of the religious customs of Durga Puja. The rest of the day
observes a grand celebration and merrymaking among the common people. Bhog is offered to the Gods and Goddesses.
Afterwards, this bhog is partaken by all as Maha Prasad.

Vijaya Dashami ~ The last and final day of Durga Puja, Dashami is a day when everybody bids adieu to the Mother
Goddess with a heavy heart. Dashami paints the city in a morose shade of crimson red of sindur where amidst the
melancholic beats of dhaak and thick smoke of dhuno, Devi Durga returns to her heavenly adobe. The tearful farewell is
known as Visarjan. In this grand send-off, the idols of Durga and her children are brought to a riverside to immerse it in the
water. After this immersion ceremony people greet each other hearty Bijaya wishes.

Today, this carnivalesque celebration of Durga Puja can be observed in different parts of the globe. The Bengali
communities abroad make it a point to celebrate this extravagant festival with same vim and brio. It brings some nostalgic
moments of their childhood days. If you are one who is settled abroad and away from your family in India on Durga Puja,
then make sure you send some gifts to India online and convey the heartfelt wishes. Cherish those sweet memories by
sending Durga Puja gifts to your loved ones in India. The premier online gift portal, GiftstoIndia24x7.com offers you an
extensive collection of Durga Puja special gift items from which you can choose and send gifts to India.

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Festivals epitomize the rich cultural heritage of India and gifting has been an inseparable part of all
Indian festivals. This Durga Puja, send gifts through GiftstoIndia24x7.com and spread the happy spirit
all over!

About The Author :

The author writes for GiftstoIndia24x7.com which enables the global Indians to send gifts to
India. The site aims to connect the global NRIs by enabling them to send gifts to India on this
auspicious occasion of Rakhi. Send a gift to India through us and experience the difference.
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