The much-awaited festivity is here. But, more than the victory of good over evil, Durga Puja depicts the importance of knowledge and wisdom.
The Durga Puja festival has almost begun in the country. It’s now time for all of us to put on our best apparel and go for some ‘pandal hopping’. But, before that, it’s important to know about the festival and the story behind it. This year, Durga Puja is going to start on October 12, 2021 and end on October 15, 2021. Here is a short essay on the festive occasion. Read it till the end and also share the same with your friends and family.
Introduction
Every year, Durga Puja is celebrated by the Hindus with great enthusiasm. On this festival, people worship the Goddess of Shakti ‘Devi Durga’. Importantly, this festival marks the defeat of Mahishasura which again symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Durga Puja festival is celebrated from the first to the tenth day of Ashwin month, every year. However, devotees start preparations at least two months before.
Durga is widely known to be the goddess of power. The idol of Goddess Durga has ten hands in which she keeps ten types of Astra for the destruction of sinners and Asuras. The image also portrays her as sitting on a lion. During this festival, idols of Durga Maa are placed in the puja pandals where people pray for a healthy life. Beside her, idols of Saraswati and Lakshmi along with lord Kartikeya and Ganesh are also placed.
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The Story Behind
Goddess Durga is said to be the daughter of Himachal and Maneka. But, also according to popular belief, the incarnation of Durga Maa took place after the self-immolation of Lord Bholenath’s wife, Sati. Hence, it can also be said that it was Sati who gave the incarnation of Durga Maa. The story narrates that an Asura named Mahishasura began misusing his powers and strengths that caused disturbances on Prithvi Loka and Devlok. It was Goddess Durga who fought with Mahishasura for ten days and that’s why this festival is organized by worshipping different forms of Maa Durga for nine days. On the tenth or last day, the immersion of the idols of the Goddess takes place.
Celebrations
An interesting feature of this festival is that people from different states and diverse cultures celebrate this festival according to different stories. As a result, because of this variation, the goddess’s idol is also seated in different forms in different places. The idol has a lion which is considered to be the ride of Maa Durga. One of Maa Durga’s feet is on the lion, and the other is on the chest of Mahishasura.
The festival is at its peak as special worship of Maa Durga is done on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami. In fact, in some places, big fairs and events are also organized. Especially in northern India, after worshipping Maa Durga on Navami day, the young unmarried girls are served food. This is because people believe that on this day, Maa Durga herself comes to everyone’s home as a girl. In Bengali parlance, this ritual is known as Kumari Puja.
दुर्गा पूजा & नवरात्रि in Hindi
Conclusion
On the Vijaya Dashami day and at the time of immersion of Maa Durga’s idols, people pray to her to shower her blessings. They wish for happiness, prosperity, and happiness. After that, people return to their respective homes. Durga Puja is also observed abroad as well. In our country, every festival is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. These festivals signify the importance of mutual understanding, brotherhood, and affection among all of us. Importantly, they teach us to learn truth and morality. They reiterate the idea of the victory of good things over evil.
