Durga Pooja is the time of the year when Hindu’s around the world working Goddess Durga. Her statue is often shown as a well-armed deity riding a lion holding a trident pointed towards demon, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Ma Durga comes to her maternal home with her sons Ganesh and Kartikeya also along with Goddess Saraswati and Lakshmi for nine day and returns back to her husband Shiva on the tenth day. Below are some cool facts about this event.



1. Worshipping of Mahishasura Mardini

Goddess Durga is also called ‘Mahishasura Mardini’. It is believed that Durga Pooja commemorates Prince Rama’s offering to Maa Durga before going to war with the demon king Ravana. He worshiped her by offering 108 blue lotuses and lighting 108 lamps!

2. It was Basanti Pooja

Originally, Durga Pooja was celebrated in the springtime (Basanti Pooja). The ritual during autumn (September-October) is different from the conventional one. So, this Pooja is also known as ‘Akal-Bodhan’ or out-of-season (‘Akal’) worship (‘Bodhan’).

3. Celebrated across India in different forms

It is celebrated as Garbha-Dandiya in the western part of India, as Ramlila in the north and as Golu or Bonalu down South, while the Durga Pooja is concentrated in the eastern part.

4. Soil from the brothel

Goddess Durga’s idol is carved out of the soil from the house of a prostitute. The soil should be begged for and received from a prostitute’s hand as a gift or blessing, and it is believed that those people who visit the prostitutes for sex leave their purity outside the door thus making the soil in front of the home virtuous.



5. Tradition of Kumari Puja (Kanjak)

‘Kumari Puja’ (worshipping young and ‘eligible’ girls), a tradition started by Swami Vivekananda in 1901 in Belur Math, is an inherent part during the festival and signifies the divine feminine power. Food and gifts are offered to young girls by those who observe fast.



6. The Ulu Dhwani drives away evil

Before a Pooja is performed or rituals begin, a noise is made by the people around using their tongue which is called the Ulu Dhwani. This sound echoes as the crowds of people produce it together and the resonating sound is claimed to have the power to drive the evil away.





7. Sindoor Khela- mini Holi for married women

On the last day of Durga Pooja that is Vijaydashami, Ma Durga returns back to her husband’s home and before her departure sindoor (vermilion) is applied on her idol. After this, the married women apply sindoor on each other’s faces wishing each other a happy married life and bestowing good luck onto each other. This tradition is almost like Holi because the women literally play with the vermilion while performing the Sindoor Khela.



Now those are some really cool facts. Time to go Pandal hopping and enjoying some delicious Mishti and Bhog!



Happy Festive Season to all!

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By Shweta Chopra, Founder 3 Curious Monkeys

Source: Guidoo.com, curioushalt.com

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