All About Durga Puja 2024: Celebrating the Goddess of Divine Power
Durga Puja – The Cosmic Energy that Animates All Beings. When demonic forces create imbalance, all gods unite to form one divine force called Shakti or Durga. As the Mother of the Universe, Durga represents infinite power and is a symbol of female dynamism. Her manifestation emerges from her formless essence, and the two are inseparable. She is also known by many other names, such as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali.
Durga Puja: A Festival Celebrating Cosmic Energy
When demonic forces create imbalance, all gods unite to become Shakti or Durga, the Mother of the Universe. She symbolizes infinite power and the dynamic force of the universe. Goddess Durga is inseparable from her formless essence and is also worshipped as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali.
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Durga Puja: Destroyer of Demons
Durga Puja is an annual festival celebrating Goddess Durga, especially popular among Bengalis. Known as Dussehra and Navratri in other parts of India, the festival features beautifully decorated idols of the goddess in Puja Pandals, and families visit each other to share feasts. On the final day, the idols are immersed in rivers or the sea in elaborate processions.
Durga’s Iconography
Goddess Durga is often depicted with ten arms holding various weapons like a sword, conch, discus, and bow. Her majestic image on a lion is known as Simhavahini, or “She Who Rides the Lion.” Her adorned form symbolizes control over the universe and her supreme power.
Durga Puja: A Symbol of Victory Over Evil
Though the goddess is one, she is worshiped in three forms during the first nine nights of the festival: Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The tenth day, Vijayadasami, signifies victory over one’s own mind. Durga Puja also commemorates Rama’s invocation of Goddess Durga during his battle with Ravana, marking the victory of good over evil.
Legend of Mahisasur
Mahisasur, the Buffalo Demon, received a blessing from Lord Brahma that no man or god could kill him. He began to ravage the world, even attacking the gods. The gods united their powers to create a maiden, Goddess Durga, each placing their most powerful weapon in her hands. Durga, riding a lion, defeated Mahisasur, restoring balance to the world.
Durga Puja Celebrations in Bengal
Durga Puja in the Bengali month of Aswin (September-October) celebrates Rama’s invocation of Durga. The idol tableau features Durga with her four children: Kartik, Ganesh, Saraswati, and Lakshmi, representing protection,