She who has color of the Fire, effulgent with the power
of Tapas blazing, the one who is desired in the fruits of all
actions, I take refuge in her, the Goddess Durga. Reverence
to the wonderful savioress for our deliverance.
Fire, deliver us anew, across all difficulties to wellbeing.
Be a wide, vast and abundant city for us, as peace
and happiness for all the progeny of our creative work.
Fire, Knower of all births, as a ship across the sea,
deliver us from all difficulties. Like the Sun, chanting
with the mind, awaken as the protector of our being.
~ Mahanarayana Upanishad, Durga Sukta 2-4
Tomorrow the Durga Puja is being celebrated throughout India and beyond as the nine days of Navratri come to a close. Navratri is a festival of worship, dance and music celebrated over a period of nine nights. Devotees perform the ‘devi-sthaapna’ in their homes wherein they invite the Goddess and perform ‘pooja-path’ for nine days. Gujaratis perform their traditional dances ‘Garba’ & ‘Dandiya-Raas’ during Navratri. The women dance in a circle, singing ‘Garbas’ or traditional songs.
Garba Dance
‘Dandiya-Raas’ is played with wooden sticks or ‘dandiyas’. Apart from Gujrat,Garbas are performed in other states & cities like Mumbai.
Young men and women wear colourful traditional dresses and play Garba with great enthusiasm. The mood of Navratri is very colourful & celebratory.
Dussehra day is considered a most auspicious day. It is a time-honored belief that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful. Hence, all the undertakings be it laying-in of foundation of a new building, opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the world of learning- are started on this day.
Also on this day implements of agriculture, manufacturer’s machines, the intellectuals pens, the household articles, the children’s school books are placed before the idol of Durga and worshiped.
About the Goddess Durga
Durga, in Sanskrit means “She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach.” Goddess Durga is a form of Shakti worshiped for her gracious as well as terrifying aspect.
Mother of the Universe, she represents the infinite power of the universe and is a symbol of a female dynamism. The manifestation of Goddess Durga is said to emerge from Her formless essence and the two are inseparable.
She is also called by many other names, such as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali. In the form of Parvati, She is known as the divine spouse of Lord Shiva and is the mother of Her two sons, Ganesha and Karttikeya, and daughter Jyoti. Durga is the Destroyer of demons and is worshipped in this form during Durga Puja.
Invoke the Goddess Durga for assistance in slaying demons both external and internal. Pray to Her for strength and courage for any undertaking. Seek Her protection as you embark on any project or trip.
Read the Devi Mahatmyam – the story of how the Goddess slayed the demons.
Blessings!!!!!!!!!
