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.



PUJOY PET-PUJO

Khichuri

Ingredients:

4 medium potatoes (cubed)

1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp sugar(chini)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 1/4 cup green gram split, (moong dal) roasted
250 gms cauliflower florets250 gms.
6 cup water (approx)
salt to taste
6 green chillies
1 1/4 cup rice1 1/4 cups
2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 cup peas
For The Seasoning
4 tblsp Ghee
2 Bay Leaves
3 Red Chillies Whole
4 Green Cardamoms
6 Cloves
2 Cinnamon 1 inch pieces

How to make khichuri:

Roast moong dal, cut cauliflower florets and slit green chillies.
Make a paste of turmeric powder, cumin powder and red chilli powder.
Wash rice and drain.
Take sufficient water in a big size pot and stir fry dal and rice in it.
When the rice is half done mix in masala paste, green chillies and vegetables, simmer (boil slowly at low temperature) till they are cooked.
In the meanwhile dal and rice will also be cooked.
Make a flavor by heating ghee mix in red chillies, bay leaves, garam masala and stir fry for a minute.Stir in the flavor mixture into cooked khichuri.
Alur dom

Ingredients:
Potatoes(small) - 500 gms
Mustard - 1/2 table spoon
Curry leaves - 8-10 (Small)
Bay leaves - 2
Tamarind - 50 Gms
Chilli Powder - 1/2 table spoon
Chillies (green) - 5
Salt according to taste
Ginger paste - 1 table spoon
Garlic paste - 1/2 table spoon
Sugar - 1 table spoon
Refined oil - 3/4 table spoon

Method:
a. Boil potatoes and peel off the skins.
b. Soak tamarind in a cup of water for 10 mins.and strain the juice.
c. Heat oil in pan and fry ginger, garlic, mustard, bay leaves with some sugar till brown.
d. Then add the boiled potatoes & fry untill the potatoes becomes golden brown.
e. Then add chillies,kurry leaves, salt & add tamarind juice.
f. Stir & serve hot with luchi/puri.


Fulkopir Vada

Ingredients:
Cauliflower - 1.
Besan - 1cup.
Oil-1 teaspoon.
Water.
Posto (poppy seeds)- 1/2 teaspoon.
Chili powder-1/2 teaspoon.
Salt to taste.
Oil for deep-frying.
Baking soda (optional)- a pinch.

Method:
1. Cut the cauliflower into medium sized pieces. Boil them so that they become soft on the exterior but remain hard inside.
2. Pour besan in a large bowl and add 1 teaspoon oil. Mix thoroughly.
3. Add water and make batter with a relatively thick consistency.
4. Add the posto, chili powder and salt and whip batter well.
5. Dip the cauliflower pieces in the batter and deep-fry them.


Luchi/Puri

Ingredients:
Wheat Flour - 500gms
Refined oil or Ghee - 2 table spoon
Salt according to taste
Warm water to knead the flour
Oil to fry

Method:
a. Knead 500gms of flour, 2 tablespoon of oil & salt according to taste with warm water.
b. Make small doughs.
c. Flatten them into round circular form.
d. Fry them one by one. Serve hot with other side dish.


Bhaat

Ingredients:
Long grain or basmati rice - 2 cups
Water - 3 cups
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Wash rice in several changes of water.
2. Place the rice and water in a deep saucepan, put over medium heat and bring to a boil.
Cook until rice becomes soft.
3. Drain the water. Serve hot.
Mung Dal

Ingredients:
Mung dal - 200 gms
Small whole pearl onions-10
Green chilies - 4
Milk - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1 teaspoons
Salt to taste.
Ghee - 1 table spoon
Bay leaves - 4
Whole cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Method:
a. Fry the dry mung dal in a pan over medium heat until it becomes brown.
b. Wash and put mung dal to boil.
c. Simmer until dal is cooked.
d. In a separate pan, heat ghee and fry the bay leaves, onions and cumin seeds for a few minutes.
e. Pour the dal and simmer for 5 minutes.
f. Add 1/2 cup of milk and sugar.

Boonde

Ingredients:
Besan-250gms
A pinch of bicarbonate of soda
Powdered rice- 50gms
Water-1 and half cup
Oil for deep frying-1 and half cup
Sugar- 4 cups
Water- 4 cups for making syrup

Method:
1. In a pan heat together 4 cups of sugar and water.
2. Let it boil and simmer until the syrup is of medium consistency.
3. Remove from fire and allow it to cool.
4. Blend together besan and 1 and half cup of water.
5. Mix the powdered rice and bicarbonate of soda.
6. Heat oil in a deep pan and pour the besan mixture on the hot oil through a slotted vessel.
7. Fry until crisp.
8. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon. Drain out the oil in a paper. 9. While still hot pour in the prepared syrup. Continue this until the besan mixture is over.
10. After the Bonde is soaked in the syrup remove with a slotted spoon and spread out on a flat dish.