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.



Durga Slokas

Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and justice in the universe. Durga is also known as "Shakti". Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindu people. Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces; Strength, Morality, Power, Protector. Slokas on Goddess Durga form the part of prayers offered to the goddess. Durga (Devi) Shlokas / Slokas are as follows:
"Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Maatrirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaktirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaantirupena Sansthitah
Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namo Namah"
Meaning: Goddess Durga is omnipresent. She is the personification of Universal Mother. She is a Mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of power and energy. Great mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of Peace. I bow to that mother, I bow to Durga, I bow to Shakti.
Durga (Devi) Stuti-
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vishnu Maayethi Sabdita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the name of Maya of Vishnu.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chetanetyaabhi Dheeyate
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who abides in all creatures as realization.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Buddhi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of intelligence.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Nidraa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of sleep.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshudhaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of appetite.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Chaayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of meditation and reflection.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of Shakti, the creative power.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Thrishnaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of thirst.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kshaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the merciful form.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Jaati Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of race.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lajja Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the modest form.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of peace (Shanti).
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Shradha Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of unshakable faith (Shraddha).
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Kaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of beauty or brilliance (Kaanti).
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Lakshmi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the prosperous form.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Vritti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of motion.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Smrithi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of memory.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Dayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who dwells in all creatures in the form of mercy or kindness (Dayaa).
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Tushti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who lives in all creatures in the form of satisfaction.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Matru Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Devi, who lives in all creatures in the form of Mother.
"Yaa Devii Sarva Bhooteshu Braanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who dwells in all creatures in the form of illusion (Bhram).
"Indriyaanaamadhistaatri Bhootaanaam Chaakileshu Yaa
Bhooteshu Satatam Tasyai Vyaaptidevyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the all pervading goddess, who continuously controls the senses of all creatures and governs all elements.
"Chiti Roopena Yaa Kristnam Yetadhyaapya Sthithaa Jagat
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha"
Meaning: I bow again and again to the Goddess, who pervades this world and controls in the form of awareness.
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