Sarbojanin Durgapuja 2008, Switzerland
The "Bengali" History and Traditions of this Puja
The
Mythology related to Bengali Tradition
Uma, one of the many
incarnations of Goddess Durga, the Divine Mother, was the daughter of
Daksha and Menoka, the king and queen of the Himalayas. From her childhood
Uma worshipped Lord Shiva, one of the Divine Trinity, as her future
husband. Lord Shiva, pleased by her penance, came to marry her. However,
her father King Daksha was not impressed by Shiva's attire of tiger skin
and ash smeared all over his body. He didnot agree to this marriage but
Uma forcefully married Lord Shiva. However, Daksha prevented Uma from
going with Shiva to his abode in Kailash.
Daksha then organised a
special Yagna (worship of Agni, the Lord of Fire), where he invited
everybody execpt his son-in-law Shiva to insult him. Uma was ashamed and
insulted by her father's rude attitude to her husband and she starved to
death. Shiva was enraged when she heard about Uma's death and went to King
Daksha's house. He lifted Uma's body over his shoulders and started his
famous Mad Dance or "Tandav Nritya". This dance was so aggressive and
intense that the enitre Universe was on the verge of destruction. Seeing
this Lord Narayana, another of the Divine Trinity, threw his weapon
"Sudarshan Chakra" and cut Uma's body into pieces. During this dancing
motion, Uma's body parts got scattered throughout India and Shiva was
finally pacified when the last piece fell off his shoulder. The places,
where these pieces fell, were known as "Shakti Piths" or Places of energy
and different incarnation of the Divine Mother are worshipped in these
places.
Narayana then gave a boon to the dejected and repentent
King Daksha that Uma will be reborn in his family and will be married to
Lord Shiva. Subsequently, Parvati was born to King Daksha and was married
off to Lord Shiva. She then accompanied Lord Shiva to his heavenly abode
in Kailash. Every year she comes to her parents' home along with her four
children Ganesh, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kartik, who represent Wisdom,
Knowledge, Prosperity and Beauty. Since this much awaited visit by the
full family takes place once a year, hence this event is associated with
so much festivity and celebrations.
The image of Goddess Durga,
which is worshipped by Bengalis, depict Goddess Durga equipped with lethal
weapons in her ten hands and astride a lion as her carrier, killing the
Buffalo Demon, "Mahishashur". This Image of Goddess Durga along with her
four children on her either side, reminds us of the "Inner Strength" that
is required to emerge victorious from the eternal battle between the
"Good" and the "Evil".
The Puja Itself
In traditional
Bengali household, DurgaPuja is celebrated for ten days and the main
portion of the Puja is restricted to 5 days only. The fifteen days from
the new Moon to the full Moon is called as "Devi Paksha" or the fortnight
of the Goddess. The day of the new moon, i.e. the day before Devi Paksha
starts, is known as Mahalaya. Traditionally, the artisans draw the eyes of
the Durga Images on this day and this process is called "Chakshu Daan".
The Main Puja starts on "Shashtthi" i.e. sixth day of the Devi Paksha,
generally from beneath a "Bel" tree. In the early hours of "Saptami" or
the seventh day, the "Pran" or life of the the goddess is brought from a
nearby pond or water body, wrapped in a Banana Tree and then reinstated on
the "Ghat" and then to the Image. The banana tree is wrapped in a new red
and white saree and resembles a newly wed bride sitting in a Palanquin,
going for her Wedding Bath. This is banana tree is called "Kola Bou" or
Banana Bride. The process of virtually implanting life into the Ghat and
then into the Image is known as Bodhan.
The Main puja or worship starts
thereafter and the Primetime is reached during the transition phase or
"Sandhikshan" between Ashtami (eighth day) and Navami (ninth day). Special
Puja known as Sandhipuja is offered during this period. Arati or prayer
with lights takes place every day in the evening starting from Saptami
till Navami. Finally on Dashami, i.e. tenth day of Devi Paksha, the puja
ends and the image undergoes "Bisarjan" or immersion in a waterbody. This
also marks the departure of Goddess Durga along with her four children to
her husband's heavenly abode in Kailash. So, traditionally the married
Bengali women bid her farewell in a small ceremony known as "Sindur Khela"
where they exchange Vermillon marks on each other's foreheads and also on
the forehead of Goddess Durga and also feed her sweets, to remind her of
the hospitality. Sweets are also exchanged among Bengalis along with
"Kolakuli" or mutual hugging and this ritual is known as Bijoya. Bijoya
ensures friendship among individuals who then collectively vow to spend
the year ahead in Peace and Harmony and to ward of any evil or hardship
that may come up as hurdles in their life.