Today is Mahasashti. From today evening, the next 3 days will be full of joy and celebrations among Bengalis. And on Dashami eyes will become numb. Durga is leaving yoy. Then again, a smile deep in teh heart, as you know she will back again next year.
Durga Puja Time. A time of joy and celebrations.
On Sashti evening you welcome the Goddess home.
Bodhon means Worship. Till this time, the Durga idol is kept covered and will be displayed to the public in the evening. Among prayers and ululation, This is called Kal Praramva - start of the time when Durga Puja starts. Durga is welcomed home from under a Wood Apple (Bel) tree. She is offered pan and water. Given a change of clothes and a place to sit.
Akal is untimely. Usually Durga is worshipped during the spring time. As per Krittivasa , the poet, Rama prayed to Durga with 108 blue lotus flowers.
To test Rama, Durga hid one of the lotus flowers. Rama thought - People call me Padma Lochana (Lotus Eyed) so let me offer one of my eyes to substitute for a flower. As he was about to gorge out an eye, Durga came and stopped him and accepted his prayers.
Today is panchami ..this is a real confusion this year ..
ReplyDeleteYes - And Nabami and Dashami are on the same day, as per tithi
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