SCHEDULE

This year the goddess Durga arrives on an elephant and departs on a palanquin . Goddess Durga's arrival on an elephant signifies good harvest while her departure on a palanquin signifies an outbreak of epidemic.

1st October
Saturday
(13th Aashin 1418)

PANCHAMI

From that day
7.52 am-Next day
5.45am

2nd October
Sunday
(14th Aashin 1418)

SHASHTI

"Kalparambho"
within 9.28am
Durga Devi "BODHON" "Amantran" and "Adhibas''
in the evening

From that day
5.46am-Next day
3.54am

3rd October
Monday
(15th Aashin 1418)

SAPTAMI

"Nabo Patrika"
Within 9.28am
Predawn bathing of
"Kola Bow"

From that day
3.55am-Next day
2.22am

4th October
Tuesday
(16th Aashin 1418)

ASHTAMI

SANDHI PUJA
12.51am-1.39am
SACRIFICE- 1.15am

From that day
2.23am-Next day
1.15am

5th October
Wednesday
(17th Aashin 1418)

NABAMI

From that day
1.16am-Next day 12.35a m

6th October
Thursday
(18th Aashin 1418)

DASHAMI

(Immersion)
within 9.27am

From that day
12.36am-Next day
12.23am


DURGA PUJA

Durga, in Sanskrit means "She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach." Goddess Durga is a form of Sakti worshiped for her gracious as well as terrifying aspect. Mother of the Universe, she represents the infinite power of the universe and is a symbol of a female dynamism. The manifestation of Goddess Durga is said to emerge from Her formless essence and the two are inseparable.

She is also called by many other names, such as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali. In the form of Parvati, She is known as the divine spouse of Lord Shiva and is the mother of Her two sons, Ganesha and Karttikeya, and daughter Jyoti. Destroyer of demons, she is worshiped during an annual festival called Durga puja, especially popular among Bengalis.

Her Appearance
There are endless aspects of Durga described in the Puranas and Agamas and the iconography is consequently very varied. She is usually pictured as having ten arms holding Sword, Conch, Discus, Rosary, Bell, Winecup, Shielf, Bow, Arrow, and Spear. She is most often shown riding a lion from which comes Her august name, Simhavahini, "She who stands astride the king of beasts". She is gorgeously dressed in royal red cloth and has several ornaments decorating Her personage. Her hair is dressed up in a crown (karandamukuta) which then flows out in long luxuriant tresses that are darkly luminous and soothing to the eye. The various tools reflects the eminent supremacy that helps in controling the universe and obey Her will.

Weilding Energy
Goddess Durga exists eternally, always abiding in her own sweet nature and inhabits the hearts and minds of her ecstatic devotees. As Shakti power, she shapes, nurtures, and dissolves names and forms, while as subtle spiritual energy called Kundalini, She lights the lotuses fo the seven centres of awareness in the sacred human body. Goddess Durga killed the powerful demon Mahish and all his great commanders. When demonic forces create imbalance all god unite becoming one divine force called Shakti or Durga.

What is ‘Akalbodhon’?

In the 'Ramayana', it is mentioned, Rama went to 'Lanka' to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana, the king of the Demons in Lanka. Since Ravan was invincible and several attempts to kill him had failed, Rama wanted the blessings of Devi Durga.

He knew that the Goddess would be pleased only if she is worshipped with 108 'Neel Kamal' or blue lotuses. Rama, after travelling the whole world, could gather only 107 of them. He finally decided to offer one of his eyes, which resembled blue lotuses. Durga, being pleased with the devotion of Rama, appeared before him and blessed him. The battle started on the 'Saptami' and Ravana was finally killed on the 'Sandhikshan' i.e. the crossover period between Ashtami (the next day) and Navami (the day after). Ravana was cremated on Dashami. Since the period of this worship was different from the conventional period (during the spring - 'Basanta'), this puja is also known as 'Akal-Bodhan' or a worship (Bodhan) in an unconventional time (A-Kaal).

According to Hindu Mythology it was actually king Surath who began worshipping Devi Durga during Basanta (Spring) and till date some places it is being worshiped in spring, which is known as Basanti Puja.



108 Durga Names

Names
Meanings
Sati
 One who is a true women
Saadhvi
 The women who is simple
Bhavaprita
 One who is loved by the universe
Bhavaani
 The abode of the universe
Bhavamochani
 The absolver of the universe
Durga
 The Inaccessible
Jaya
 The Victorious
Aadya
 The Initial reality
Trinetra
 One who has three-eyes
Shooldharini
 One who holds a monodent
Pinaakadharini
 One who holds the trident of Shiva
Chitra
 The Picturesque
Chandaghanta
 One who has mighty bells
Mahatapa
 With severe penance
Chittarupa
 One who is in thought-state
Chiti
 The thinking mind
Sarvamantramayi
 One who possess all the instruments of thought
Satta
 One who is above all
Satyanandasvarupini
 Form of Eternal bliss
Ananta
 One who is Infinite or beyond measure
Bhaavini
 The Beautiful Woman
Bhaavya
 Represents Future
Bhavya
 With Magnificence
Abhavya
 Improper or fear-causing
Sadagati
 Always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)
Shaambhavi
 Consort of Shambhu
Devamata
 Mother Goddess
Chintaharini
 One who destroys tension
Ratnapriya
 Adorned or loved by jewels
Sarvavidya
 Knowledgeable
Dakshakanya
 Daughter of Daksha
Dakshayajñavinaashini
 Interrupter of the sacrifice of Daksha
Aparna
 One who doesnt eat even leaves while fasting
Paatala
 Red in color
Paatalavati
 Wearing red-color attire
Pattaambaraparidhaana
 Wearing a dress made of leather
Kalamanjiiraranjini
 Wearing a musical anklet
Ameyaa
 One who is beyond measure
Vikrama
 Violent
Krrooraa
 Brutal (on demons)
Sundari
 The Gorgeous
Sursundari
 Extremely Beautiful
Vandurga
 Goddess of forests
Maatangi
 Goddess of Matanga
Matangamunipujita
 Worshipped by Sage Matanga
Braahmi
 Power of God Brahma
Maaheshvari
 Consort of Lord Mahesha (Shiva)
Chaamunda
 Slayer of Chanda and Munda(demons)
Vaarahi
 One who rides on Varaah
Purushaakriti
 One who takes the form of a man
Vimalauttkarshini
 One who provides joy
Gyaana
 Full of Knowledge
Nitya
 The eternal one
Buddhida
 The bestower of wisdom
Bahula
 One who is in various forms
Bahulaprema
 One who is loved by all
Sarvavahanavahana
 One who rides all vehicles
NishumbhaShumbhaHanani
 Slayer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha
MahishasuraMardini
 Slayer of the bull-demon Mahishaasura
MadhuKaitabhaHantri
 Slayer of the demon-duo Madhu and Kaitabha
ChandaMundaVinashini
 Destroyer of the ferocious asuras Chanda and Munda
Sarvasuravinasha
 Destroyer of all demons
Sarvadaanavaghaatini
 Possessing the power to kill all the demons
Sarvashaastramayi
 One who is deft in all theories
Satya
 The truth
Ekakanya
 The girl child
Apraudha
 One who never gets old
Praudha
 One who is old
Balaprada
 The bestower of strength
Mahodari
 One who has huge belly which stores the universe
Muktakesha
One who has open tresses
Ghorarupa
 Having a fierce outlook
Mahaabala
 Having immense strength
Agnijwaala
 One who is poignant like fire
Raudramukhi
 One who has a fierce face like destroyer Rudra
Kaalaratri
 Goddess who is black like night
Tapasvini
one who is engaged in penance
Narayani
 The destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)
Bhadrakaali
 Fierce form of Kali
Vishnumaya
 Spell of Lord Vishnu
Jalodari
 Abode of the ethereal universe
Shivadooti
 Ambassador of Lord Shiva
Karaali
 The Violent
Ananta
 The Infinite
Parameshvari
 The Ultimate Goddess
Katyayani
 One who is worshipped by sage Katyanan
Pratyaksha
 One who is real
Brahmavaadini
One who is present everywhere
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