Durga Puja
BrahmachariniThe second form of Durga is the one who performs penance. Goddess Parvati is just another form of Brahmacharini. She is depicted as a Devi, holding a rosary in her right hand and a Kamandal on her left.
ChandraghantaThe third form of Devi Durga, Chandraghanta, the radiant woman with golden hair, holds weapons in each of her ten hands, and a halfmoon on her forehead. She is the symbol of bravery and valor, and is a fiercer avatar of Goddess Durga.
KushmandaDepicted as a beautiful woman mounted on a lion, Goddess Kushmanda resides in the core of the sun. She created the entire universe in the shape of an egg and gave it life with her radiating smile. She is the fourth incarnation of Goddess Durga.
Skanda MataSkanda Mata is the fifth form of Durga. She is accompanied by her infant son Skanda or Karthikeya, who is the commander in chief of Gods in battle against demons. She is portrayed as a woman with bright complexion with three eyes and four arms.
KatyayaniKatyayani was the sixth form of Goddess Durga. The Rishi pined for a daughter in the form of a Goddess, which Durga graciously granted. As a result, Goddess Katyayani was born to the great Rishi Kata.
KalratriKalratri, the dark Goddess of the night, is depicted as a frightening woman with three eyes, with fire emanating from her nostrils and a long sword in her right hand. She is the seventh form of Goddess Durga and is also known as Shubhamkari the one who does good deeds.
Maha GauriMaha Gauri is the eighth form of Goddess Durga. She got this name when Lord Shiva cleansed her with water from the Ganges. She is portrayed in a white sari, riding a bull and is the embodiment of peace and tranquility.
SiddhidatriThe ninth form of Durga Maa seated on the lotus, is worshipped by all, including the Gods. She was blessed with supernatural powers Siddhis Mahima, Laghima, Prakamya, Anima, Prapti, Garima, Vashitva and Lishitya.
Durga Devi, the powerful Goddess, is worshipped in all her nine forms through Navaratri. In her different incarnations, Goddess Durga vanquishes all evil and showers wealth and prosperity upon her devotees.
Maang sindoor virajat, tiko mrigmad ko Ujjwal se dou naina, chandra vadan niko Jai ambe gauri
Kanak samaan kalewar, raktaambar raaje Rakt pushp galmala, kanthan par saaje Jai ambe gauri
Kehri vahan rajat, kharag khapar dhaari Sur nar muni jan sevat, tinke dukh haari Jai ambe gauri
Kanan kundal shobhit, naasagre moti Kotik chandra divakar, sum rajat jyoti Jai ambe gauri
Shumbh nishumbh vidare, mahisha sur ghati Dhumravilochan naina, nishdin mad mati Jai ambe gauri
Chandh mundh sanghhaare, shonit beej hare Madhu kaitabh dou maare, sur bhe heen kare Jai ambe gauri
Brahmani rudrani, tum kamla rani Aagam nigam bakhani, tum shiv patrani Jai ambe gauri
Chonsath yogini gavat, nritya karat bhairon Baajat taal mridanga, aur baajat damaroomaroo Jai ambe gauri
Tum ho jag ki maata, tum hi ho bharta Bhakto ki dukh harata, sukh sampati karata Jai ambe gauri
Bhuja chaar ati shobit, var mudra dhaari Man vaanchit phal pavat, sevat nar naari Jai ambe gauri
Kanchan thaal virajat, agar kapoor baati Shri maalketu me rajat, kotik ratan jyoti Jai ambe gauri
Shri ambejiki aaarti, jo koi nar gaave Kahat shivanand swami, sukh sampati paave Jai ambe gauri
Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma decided to create a powerful force to destroy the invincible Mahishasura, as they were unable to vanquish him themselves. The unified powers of all the Gods resulted in the creation of a fiery mass from which, a magnificent Goddess was born. With the light of Lord Shiva, her face was created, Lord Vishnu gave her his arms, and Lord Brahma provided her legs. She was blessed with all the powers given to her by the Gods. She also acquired her weaponry from the Devas. She was decked with jewelery, a sari and garlands. Maa Durga was also given a lion by Lord Himalaya, the God of the Mountains. This Goddess came to be known as Mahadevi Goddess Durga, the most powerful and invincible of them all.
The Death Of Mahishasura
Mahishasura, was a demon who unleashed evil and terror all over the world. He could not be killed by Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. This was because of a boon granted by God Brahma to Mahishasura according to which he would not be destroyed by any deity or man. With the combined forces of all the Gods, Mahadevi was created who was neither goddess nor human. With her fierce lion as her carrier, Goddess Durga Mahadevi rode towards the lair of Mahishasura. After 9 days of continuous battle the demon was finally beaten. Thus, Mahadevi also came to be known as Mahishasura Mardhini the slayer of Mahishasura.
Lord Rams Victory
Before confronting Ravana, Lord Ram sought the blessings of Goddess Durga by performing the Chandi Puja. To perform the Puja, Rama required 108 blue lotuses, but he had only 107 of them. Instead, he offered his own eye that resembled a lotus and placed it at the feet of the Goddess. Pleased with his devotion and pure mind, Goddess Durga saved Rama while he was at battle and blessed him with power of being invincible. Thus, Lord Ram defeated the 10 headed demon king Ravana with Goddess Durgas blessings.
Devi Durga is known as the Goddess of eternal power. Durga puja is an ageold festival and is celebrated with great fanfare all over the country. Goddess Durga is vanquisher of all evil. Every year, Durga Puja is celebrated throughout the country and devotees pray to the Goddess and seek her blessings and protection.
Pandals are canopies for housing Durga idol during the Durga Puja festival. These large canopies are supported by sets of bamboo poles adorned with multicolored fabrics. The making of Pandal involves lot of work, using wooden planks, bamboo poles and fabrics. Sometimes pandals are built on themes inspired by ancient civilizations such as Incas or Egyptian civilization. Today, people choose many modern and contemporary themes such as Harry Potter and RMS Titanic. The d?cor of pandals are generally prepared by architecture and art students in Kolkata. However, the expenses for theme based pandals are usually higher than traditional pandals. They also draw large crowds during the celebration. Today, themebased pandals have become rage all over Bengal and in other parts of India. Many of the Durga Pandals being financed by rich have also become trends in Barwari Puja that is community celebration of Durga Puja. Of late, there are even luxury designer pandals strewn with intricate patterns, flowers and lightings so much so that the pandals almost appear like palaces. In these elegantly designed pandals, the goddess Durga is worshipped and hordes of people pour in to pay visit and pray to the goddess to seek her blessings.Durga Idols seen in West Bengal are very famous and are made by skilled artisans. These artisans follow strict rules that each and every material that goes into the making of idols are obtained from the proper sources as per the traditions. They take almost several months to form beautiful idols of Durga. Often bamboo sticks are utilized to create the interiors of the idol and also to get the correct shape for the idol. Jutes ropes, strings and straw are also being used for the making of idol.
For those who stay away from their family members, Durga Puja brings in a great chance to meet up. The tourists, both domestic and international visit the state during the festive season. For these four days, the Bengalis generally are seen in their traditional attires.West Bengal Durga puja industry is growing at a compound annual growth rate of about 35 percent and is expected to touch Rs.40,000 crore by 2015 from its current size of Rs.25,000 crore.Despite falling rupee, rising inflation and slowdown in the economy, the large business industries are targeting high profits margins during Durga Puja in West Bengal which is growing at a compound annual growth rate of about 35 percent, as revealed by a latest survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India ASSOCHAM.
