Table of Content:Shosti, the First Day- Let's Invite the Goddess!Shoptomi, the day of Kola Bou –Ashtami, A Kumari is WorshippedNabami, is for Sandhi PujaDashami, The Day We Say GoodbyeBijoya- The Time to Meet and Greet
Table of Content:
Shosti, the First Day- Let's Invite the Goddess!
Shoptomi, the day of Kola Bou –
Ashtami, A Kumari is Worshipped
Nabami, is for Sandhi Puja
Dashami, The Day We Say Goodbye
Bijoya- The Time to Meet and Greet
I may not feel alive all year, but Durga Puja brings me back to life. The arrival of spring and the delicate aroma of the Shiuli flower warms my blood. The beat of Dhaak becomes the pacemaker. I gradually and steadily awaken from a zombie condition and begin feeling the air, the cold, the warmth, and the desire to live my life. I feel like dressing up, wearing the brightest colors, and glowing like the lights on the Pandals of Durga Puja.
For me, there are rituals, homecoming, food, and feelings mixed up and messed up for the four days of the festival. From last-minute panic buying to the serious fights of cousins for a menu that has to be finalized for the Durga Puja days, an entire household runs into chaos, a happy one, though. There are three main aspects of Durga Puja: the first one is welcoming the daughter of the house, Ma Durga, with a clean heart; the second one is to eat good food; the food menu during the Durga Puja has to be Khanti Bangali or pure Bengali. The third intention is undoubtedly keeping your fashion game on point. The Durga Pujo Saaj, or the attire for Durga Puja, is traditional from start to end. Women choose the best sarees for these days and match the most exquisite jewelry with them. Let's discuss some of the options you may have during these four days and see if they fit in.
Although the feeling of Durga Puja appears way before the actual advent of the festival, Shosti is the day the actual Puja begins. Shosti is also known as Bodhon. It is the day Goddes Durga is invoked. The tradition comes from the instance of Lord Rama worshipping Goddess Durga to defeat Ravana. The invitation is sent to the Goddess by placing a water-filled pitcher under the Bilva or wood apple tree; the ritual is also called Bilva Nimantran. On this day, an Orange Kanchipuram Saree with a Parrot Green border Border and a Palla with a Golden Detailed Tradition is best suited as the Orange color is the symbol of devotion, and what would be better than welcoming the Goddess with a scene that shows devotion.
On the day of Saptami, you find a hint of how humans are deeply connected to nature. Today, a unique tradition of tying Nine plants together to form the Nabapatrika is followed. These Nine leaves or plants represent the nine forms of Shakti. The banana plant is for Brahmani, Colocasia or Kochu is for Kalika, Turmeric or Holud is for Durga, Jayanti, scientifically known as Sesbania Sesban is for Kartiki, Bilva, Bel, Billo or wood apple is for Shiva, Pomegranate or Darimba also known as Dalim is for Raktadantika, Ashok leaves are for Shokarahita, Arum or Mankochu leaf is for Chamunda and Rice Paddy or Dhan is for Lakshmi.
All these leaves are tied together and bathed, vermillion is applied on them, and a white saree with a red border is draped around them. The most prominent and tallest plant, the Banana plant, gives the arrangement the shape of a Lady; hence, the name Kola Bou, or the Banana plant Bride, has been attached to this ritual. The arrangement is then placed on the right side of Lord Ganesha. A White Assamese Art Silk Saree with Mekhala Chador Red Motifs is the perfect fit for this hectic day. It suits the occasion ideally during the ‘Kola Bou’ ritual when a banana tree is wrapped with a sari since its motifs are red, signifying her fiery energies.
credit- https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/detail/kola-bou-snan/
Ashtami, A Kumari is Worshipped.
Out of all the Durga Puja days, the Ashtami Puja is the most significant. On this day, Kumari Puja is performed, and the official Anjali or reverence is offered to Goddess Durga, who is now believed to have reached her Baper Bari or paternal place. There is an auspicious time during which devotees are allowed to offer Pushpanjali or offering of flowers. Kumari Puja, where a Kumari or pre-pubescent girl is worshipped as the living incarnation of Goddess Durga, is a famous ritual that attracts a lot of devotees who want to offer their oblation to the little girl and get her blessings. On this day, it will be advisable to wear the Golden White Maharani Paithani Saree with Chattai Border and Zari Buta as the red and white combination of the saree is considered auspicious and will be best suited to welcome Goddess Kumari.
Golden White Maharani Oaithani Saree with Chattai Border and Zari Butta
Credit- https://media.belurmath.org/durga-puja-2019-sri-sri-kumari-puja-at-belur-math-5286/
In a very pulse-ramming situation, the Sadhikhhon, or the last 24 minutes of the Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of the Nabami Tithi, is observed. The Sandhi Puja has to be offered during this time window, or else the Nabami will be futile. The Puranas mention the Sandhikhon to be the time when Goddess Durga took the Chamunda form and vanquished Chanda and Munda. One hundred eight lamps are lit, and the Dhakis ram their Dhak to produce the Ninad or vibrating sound of victory.
After the Sandhi Puja, the devotees perform the famous Dhunuchi Naach, where each tries to display their dancing skills with the clay pot carrying burning coconut husk. For the Nabami celebrations, The Golden Art Silk Saree with Golden Stripes and Lotus Motif on a Red and Green Border is the perfect fit. It is a lightweight saree that allows free movement during the rituals.
Photo credit- https://www.indiablooms.com/photos-details/PF/671/kolkata-observes-sandhi-puja-today.html
Dashami is ideally the day when Goddess Durga leaves for her house, leaving people sad and crying at her paternal house. It is traditionally the day of Visarjan or Bidaai. On this day, a Boron ritual is performed where married women offer sweets and vermillion to the Goddess before bidding her farewell. After applying vermillion or sindoor to her, the women apply sindoor on each other; this ritual is known as Sindoor Khela.
After the rituals, the Goddess and her Children are placed on a Palki and taken for Visarjan to the nearby pond or river. Here, the idols are immersed by following rituals, which indicates the daughter's return to Mount Kailash. On this day, a Magenta Pink Baluchari Saree with Traditional Border and Golden Zari Pasley Motifs is best suited, as the saree will emit a happy glow and assure the Goddess that she is leaving her father's place with a happy face.
Photo credit- https://www.thestatesman.com/tag/dashami-day
Megenta Pink Baluchari Sari with Traditional Border and Golden Zari Pasley Motifs
After the sad moment of Visarjan, the Bijoya starts. This time extends up to Kali Puja and signifies the victory of Good over Evil. During this time, people visit each other's houses with sweets, and it is customary for young people to take blessings from the elderly. A Sky Blue Cotton Saree with Lucknow Chikankari Floral Embroidery is best suited for this time as it exudes elegance, and looking at the person wearing this saree will bring peace to the beholder.
Sky Blue Cotton Saree with Lucknow Chikankari Floral Embroidery
Durga Puja is when an average Bengali experiences all sorts of emotions, from the joy of welcoming the Goddess to the tension of not finding the proper attire to the sadness when the Goddess leaves for Kailash. It is undoubtedly more than a mere religious festival, as it puts the notion of family at the front and celebrates togetherness. The spirit is renewed; family ties tighten, friends reunite, and the community gathers joyfully for the triumph of light over darkness. A good selection of sarees for this purpose adds enjoyment to Durga Puja, which lasts for one week, as there is a unique daily occasion about Goddess Durga.
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