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Durga, meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible", is the most popular incarnation of Devi and one of the main forms of the Goddess Shakti in the Hindu pantheon. Durga is the original manifested form of Mother Parvati or Adi-Parashakti. Durga is Adi-Parashakti herself. The Devi Gita, declares her to be the greatest Goddess. Thus, she is considered the supreme goddess and primary deity in Shaktism, occupying a place similar to Lord Krishna in Vaishnavism. According to Skanda Purana, the goddess Parvati accounted the name "Durga" after she killed the demon Durgamaasura. Goddess Parvati is considered to be the complete incarnation of Adi Parashakti or Goddess Durga, with all other goddesses being her incarnations or manifestations. Adi Parashakti or Mahadevi, the supreme power, is called Durga Shakti as per Devi-Mahatmya. Adi Parashakti or Devi Durga is a Hindu concept of the Ultimate Shakti or Mahashakti, the ultimate power inherent in all Creation. This is especially prevalent in the Shakta denomination within Hinduism, which worships the Goddess Devi in all her manifestations. She is Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati in her mild form; Goddess Kali and Goddess Chandi in her wrathful form. Durga is also called Padmanabha-Sahodari and Narayani, the sister of Lord Vishnu. According to Shaivism and Shaktism She is supreme, but to bring back lord Shiva in Sansar, she was reborn in human form (Sati and Parvati) to marry Shiva. Durga gave birth to his first child Kartikeya.
ORIGINS & DEVELOPMENT
Ramprasad Chanda writes the following about the development of Durga from primitive goddess to her current form:
"...it is possible to distinguish two different strata – one primitive and the other advanced. The primitive form of Durga is the result of syncretism of a mountain-goddess worshiped by the dwellers of the Himalaya and the Vindhyas, a goddess worshiped by the nomadic Abhira shepherd, the vegetation spirit conceived as a female, and a war-goddess. As her votaries advanced in civilization the primitive war-goddess was transformed into the personification of the all-destroying time (Kali), the vegetation spirit into the primordial energy (Adya Sakti) and the saviouress from “samsara” (cycle of rebirths) , and gradually brought into line with the Brahmanic mythology and philosophy."
It is not possible to date her The delusion of the supreme soul is otherwise called Shakti (power). From this power, generates all forms of knowledge of the world and it is accepted as vital cause of creation, existence and destruction. According to 'Shree Durga Shaptshati- Rahasyam', the original power is Mahalaxmi that created three pairs of Supreme Powers. They are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as male and Saraswati, Laxmi and Parvati as female, and they married respectively. Maha Saraswati is well known as Brahmani, Mahalaxmi as Vaishnavi and Mahakali as Maheswari. Durga Shakti is the original cause of all the present or past worldly occurrences. Durga Shakti is called as Adhyashakti, Paramatma Shakti or Ati Prakrutika Shakti. She is creating and controlling other two powers: Natural and General. Natural Power is called as Atma Shakti, Prakrutika Shakti, Pancha Mahabhuta Shakti etc. This Shakti creates and controls the General Energy. General Energies are called Jada Shakti or Tamashakti. By the blessings of Durga Shakti, the mother of the Universe, man is able to get his emancipation or salvation and indulge in enjoyments in performance of his daily activities. So Vyasadev, the eminent poet of "Devi Bhagwat", has aptly described "Rudrahinam Vishnuhinam na vadanti janastatha Shaktihinam Yathasarbe probodhanti Naradhamam". The powerless persons are despised as mean persons. So, by being devoted to the Supreme, we should be strong and powerful by her grace.
STORIES
Shiva Purana gives an account of the origin of Durga. At the beginning of time, Lord Shiva invoked Durga, the primordial energy from his left half to create. Together they created their eternal abode, Shivaloka, also known as Kashi. Thereafter, they created Vishnu and Brahma.
As per Shiva Purana and Devi Mahatmyah, Mahishasura, the son of demon Rambha, unleashed reign of terror on earth. When gods intervened, Mahishasura defeated gods and banished them from heaven. Vanquished gods went to Trideva- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. As they narrated their woeful tale, immense mass of light manifested from Lord Vishnu's mouth, which was joined by similar rays that emerged from the enraged faces of gods. This mass of light transformed into a woman. Then all the Gods gave their devine weapon to that supreme power. Adishakti re-manifested as Durga to slay Mahishasura. Armed with celestial weapons of all deities and decked with divine ornaments, Durga rode into the battle field and challenged demons for battle. Mahishasura's entire army, led by demons like Chikshur, Chamar, Asiloma, Vidalaksha, Durdhara, Durmukha, Mahahanu and many more attacked Durga at once. But Durga slew all of them with unparalleled cruelty. An enraged Mahishasura attacked Durga in guise of a buffalo. But Durga bound it with ropes. The buffalo morphed into a lion and lept on Durga, but she beheaded it with her sword. At this, Mahishasura began to fight in form of a swordsman. Durga pinned him down with a torrent of arrows. Mahishasura now assumed form of a giant elephant and tugged at Durga's lion. Durga lopped off its trunk with her sword and freed her lion. The elephent turned into a buffalo and charged at Durga. Sipping from her wine cup, Durga flung her trident and beheaded Mahishasura, finally killing him.
WORSHIP
The four-day-long (Saptami to Dashami) Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and Nepal, where it is known as Dashain. It is celebrated likewise with much fervour in various parts of India, especially the Himalayan region, but is celebrated in various forms throughout the Hindu universe.
The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami (Bihar, Bengali), Dashain (Nepali) or Dussehra (Hindi) – these words literally mean "the Victory on the Tenth (day)".
In Andhra Pradesh she is also worshipped as Kanaka Durgammathalli,where there is also famous temple for Goddess Kanaka Durga in Indrakeeladri,Vijayawada.She is also known by the name of Bhavani.
In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in Srinagar).
The actual period of the worship however may be on the preceding nine days (Navaratri) followed by the last day called Vijayadashami in North India or five days in Bengal (from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing-moon fortnight). Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout Shakti worshippers. Durga Puja also includes the worship of Shiva, who is Durga's consort (Durga is an aspect of Goddess Parvati), in addition to Lakshmi, Saraswati with Ganesha and Kartikeya, who are considered to be Durga's children. Worship of mother nature is done, through nine types of plant (called "Kala Bou"), including a plantain (banana) tree, which represent nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. In South India especially, Andhra Pradesh Dussera Navaratri is also celebrated and the goddess is dressed each day as a different devi – Saraswati, Parvati, Lakshmi etc. – for the nine days.
In North India, the tenth day, is celebrated as Dussehra, the day Rama emerged victorious in his battle against the demon, Ravana – gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces (e.g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of families and little children.
In Mysore (which originated from Mahishasooru) in Karnataka, she is worshipped as Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the city during Dussehra (Dasara).
In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the victory of Mahishasura-mardini, Durga.
The Goddess Durga is worshipped in her peaceful form as Maha Gauri, The Fair Lady, Shree Shantadurga also known as Santeri, is the patron Goddess of Goa. She is worshipped by all Goan Hindus.
In Maharashtra, Tulja Bhavani,Hedavde Mahalaxmi and Ambabai are worshipped as Mahishasur Mardini, who is the patron goddess of the land. Bhavani is known as Tulaja, Amba, Renuka, Yamai Saptshrungi and Jogai in different places of Maharashtra. She is the inspirational goddess of Raja Shivaji. As per legends, Bhavani appeared after Shivaji prayed to her and blessed him to be able to make Hindustan or the then India (ruled by the Mughals) independent – the kingdom he established eventually became the Hindu Pad Padshahi (sometimes also called the Maratha Empire), which comprised all the land ruled by the Mughals and brought India back under Hindu sovereignty.
In Bangladesh also, the four-day long Sharadiya Durga Puja (Bengali: শারদীয়া দুর্গা পুজো, ‘autumnal Durga worship’) is the biggest religious festivals for the Hindus and celebrated across the country with Vijayadashami being a national holiday.
The prominence of Durga Puja increased gradually during the British Raj in Bengal.[8] After the Hindu reformists identified Durga with India, she became an icon for the Indian independence movement.
WESTERN REFERENCES
Some early Western accounts refer to a deity known as Deumus, Demus or Deumo. Western (Portuguese) sailors first came face to face with the murti of Deumus at Calicut on the Malabar Coast and they concluded it to be the deity of Calicut. Deumus is sometimes interpreted as an aspect of Durga in Hindu mythology and sometimes as deva.
It is described that the ruler of Calicut (Zamorin) had a murti of Deumus in his temple inside his royal palace. The temple was two paces wide in each of the four sides and three paces high, with a wooden door covered with gods carved in relief. At the centre of the temple, there was a metal idol of Deumus placed in a seat, which was also made of metal.
Western accounts also describe the ruler of Calicut worshiping an ultimate god called Tamerani ("Tamburan"). The accounts also describes a misunderstood form of the "hook-swinging" ritual once commonly performed as part of some popular Hindu religious festivals.
NOTABLE TEMPLES OF DURGA
IN INDIA
Assam
Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam
Deopani Temple, in Golaghat district, Assam
Andhra Pradesh
Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada
Bihar
Shitla Mata temple at Patna Bihar
Delhi
Kalka Mandir, near Nehru Place, New Delhi.
Goa
Shanta Durga temple in Goa
Gujarat
Arasuri Ambaji Temple in Gujarat
Haryana
Shitla Mata temple at Gurgaon Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Bala Sundari Temple Trilokpur in District Sirmaur Himachal Pradesh
Shoolini devi temple at Solan Himachal Pradesh
Jammu
Bahu Fort Temple in Jammu
Bala Sundri Temple in Billawar Jammu
ChiChi Mata Temple in Jammu
Kol Kandoli Temple in Jammu
Mahamaya Temple in Jammu
Sukrala Mata Temple in Jammu
Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra Jammu
Karnataka
Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Karnataka
Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple, near Mangalore, Karnataka
Kollur Sri mookambika Temple, near Udupi, Karnataka
Kerala
Adichikkavu Sree Durga Devi Kshetram, Pandanad, Kerala
Ammathiruvadi Temple, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Vengoor Sree Durga Devi Temple, near Perumbavoor- Kerala
Kumaranalloor Devi Temple, Kottayam, Kerala
Bhagavathinada Sree Durga Temple, Venganoor, Trivandrum, Kerala
Sankhumugham Durga Temple, Trivandrum, Kerala
Aruvikkara Durga Temple, Trivandrum, Kerala
Kalarivathikkal Devi Temple, Kannur, Kerala
Maharashtra
Tulja Bhavani Temple, in Tuljapur, Maharashtra
Odisha
Biraja Temple, Jajpur, Odisha
Durga Temple, Baideshwar, Odisha
Katak Chandi Temple, Cuttack, Odisha
Kichakeshwari Temple, Odisha
Manikeshwari Temple, Bhawanipatna, Odisha.
Rajasthan
Ambika Mata Temple in the village of Jagat near Mount Abu in Rajasthan
Shila Devi temple at Amber, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Sri Kaliamman Temple, Matrimandir, Auroville, Tamil Nadu
Tripura
Udaipur, Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
Vindhyachal temple at Mirzapur
West Bengal
Kanak Durga Temple, Chikligarh, Medinipur, West Bengal
Nava Durga Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal
23 Palli Durga Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal
Kalighat Temple, kolkata, West Bengal
Tarakeswar, Hooghly District, West Bengal
Tarapith, Birbhum, West Bengal
Sarbamongala Mandir, Burdwan, West Bengal
OUTSIDE INDIA
BANGLADESH
Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka,
INDONESIA
Prambanan Temple,
MALAYSIA
Sri Santha Durga Devi Army Camp in Sungai Petani,
Sri Thurgha Parameswary Amman Alayam,
Kampung Tumbuk Pantai, Tanjong Sepat, in Selangor
WIKIPEDIA
Sandhi Puja, an important ritual of Durga Puja, lasts from the last 24 minutes of Ashtami till the first 24 minutes of Nabami. During this juncture (the "Sandhikhan"), Durga is worshiped in her Chamunda form. Goddess Durga killed, Chando and Mundo, the two asuras at "Sandhikhan" and thus acquired the name of "Chamunda". Most of the Durga Puja performed in prominent houses follows strictly the traditional rituals and involves every family member. 108 Earthen lamps are placed on banana leaves are placed in front of the idol and are being lit by mainly female members of the family.
To know about such houses at Kolkata where Durga Puja is celebrated for over 100 plus years , check out my blog.
amitabhagupta.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/durga-puja-of-bone...
(c)Amitabha Gupta
Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited. Please contact me personally for any use of this photograph
Recently visited Chintpurni Temple with my cousins. Chintpurni Temple is about one and half hour drive from my home town-Hoshiarpur here in Punjab.
Chintpurni Temple is one of the sacred pilgrimage destinations of Himachal Pradesh. One of the revered deities, Chintpurni Temple is one of the Shakti Peeth’s of Hindu Goddess Durga that draws a number of pilgrims every year during the festivals. The devotees believe that the Goddess of this temple fulfills the wishes of the pilgrims and takes away all their troubles & worries, Hence known as ....... "Chintpurni"
Dedicated to Goddess Chhinnamastika Devi and Goddess Chintpurni Devi, the Chintpurni Devi Temple is revered by people of Northern India. The image which is worshipped in the Chintpurni Temple depicts Goddess Durga without a head and therefore it gives her the name Chhinnamastika Devi which means ‘the Goddess without the head’. It is also believed Sati’s feet had fallen here after it was cut by Vishnu’s Chakra. There are other myths which say that the Goddess had asked one of her devotees to worship her in a temple over here.
Chintpurni Temple is visited by a number of devotees during its festivals. Especially during the Navratris held in the time of April and October and also during Shukalpaksh in August. The Chintpurni Devi Temple is also the venue for a number of other festivals of North India. The Sawan Ashtami Fair is also celebrated with great fervor in the Chintpurni Devi Temple.
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In this diptych: side view of "Chintpurni Temple" and a woman tie the sacred crimson thread on to the banyan tree in the sanctum of the 'Chintpurni Temple', The belief is that you tie the thread wishing for your heart's desire and when it is granted by the Goddess you come again to the temple to untie the thread and thank the Goddess for her blessings.
Sreebhumi Sporting Club.
Original Gold Ornaments. Tanishq (TATA Group) provided the 22-karat real gold!
Read, Divine Design: www.telegraphindia.com/1131008/jsp/t2/story_17434462.jsp
Navratri, Navaratri, or Navarathri (Hindi: नवरात्रि; Gujarati: નવરાત્રી; Tamil: நவராத்திரி; Sanskrit: नवरात्रम्; Marathi: नवरात्र; Nepali: नवरात्रि; Bengali: নবরাত্রি; Kannada: ನವರಾತ್ರಿ; Telugu: దుర్గా నవరాత్రులు; Malayalam: നവരാത്രി; Tulu: ನವರಾತ್ರಿ/നവരാത്രി) is a Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights[2]. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
Navratri Golu depicting various forms of Hindu deities worshiped for 9 days.
Navaratri is celebrated in different ways throughout India. In North India, all three Navratris are celebrated with much fervor by fasting on all nine days and worshipping the Mother Goddess in her different forms. The Chaitra Navratri culminates in Ram Navami and the Sharad Navratri culminates in Durga Puja and Dussehra. The Dussehra of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is particularly famous in the North. Navratri festival in Gujarat is one of the main festivals. Garba is dance which people use to dance after the Durga Pooja with the groups and live orchestra or devotional songs.
In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. Since the past few years, the Government Of Gujarat has been organising the "Navratri Festival Celebrations" on a regular basis for the nine days of Navratri Festival in Gujarat. People from all over Gujarat and even abroad come to participate in the nine days celebrations. It is also popular throughout India and among Indian communities around the world including the UK, Canada and USA.
Immersion of Durga idols in Hooghly river at Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Howrah, West Bengal, India.
Durga Puja, the greatest festival in India ends with immersion of idols in river water.
Immersion of Durga idols in Hooghly river at Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Howrah, West Bengal, India.
Durga Puja, the greatest festival in India ends with immersion of idols in river water.
ভয় পেয়ো না, ভয় পেয়ো না, তোমায় আমি মারব না—
সত্যি বলছি কুস্তি ক’রে তোমার সঙ্গে পারব না।
মনটা আমার বড্ড নরম, হাড়ে আমার রাগটি নেই,
তোমায় আমি চিবিয়ে খাব এমন আমার সাধ্যি নেই!
মাথায় আমার শিং দেখে ভাই ভয় পেয়েছ কতই না—
জানো না মোর মাথার ব্যারাম, কাউকে আমি গুঁতোই না?
For me, an image is all about play of light against shades. I tried to present the real life embedding my feeling while standing inside the studio...
Goddess Durga represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation. The Sanskrit word Durga means a fort or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. Durga, also called Divine Mother, protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego.
The worship of Goddess Durga is very popular among Hindus. 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. There are many temples dedicated to Durga's worship in India.
In Her images, Goddess Durga is shown in a female form, wearing red clothes. She has eighteen arms, carrying many objects in Her hands. The red color symbolizes action and the red clothes signify that She is always busy destroying evil and protecting mankind from pain and suffering caused by evil forces.
There was a spell of rain, the dripping was still there... the studio owners were cautious to protect their sculpture. The dimming Sunlight and the lonely bulb made a surreal setting, just right for my type of image
The word "Tarpan" signifies offering water to God, Sages, ancestor's soul and human beings and satisfying them through.Tarpan should be performed taking one handful of water for each deity, two handful of water for Sages and three handful of water for deceased ancestors. People in the pre-dawn hours pray for their demised relatives and take holy dips in the Ganges.
Tarpan is performed on the day of 'Mahalaya'. The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami - the first day of Durga puja, starts from Mahalaya.
(c)Amitabha Gupta
Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited. Please contact me personally for any use of this photograph
Santosh Mitra Square
Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is a fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
The fountain has appeared in several notable films, including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and is a popular tourist attraction.
Every family member participates during Durga Puja. Each have their own skill set. For example this young member of Kabiraj Gangaprasad Sen's Family masters in the art of making beautiful design in the house courtyard.
To know about such houses at Kolkata where Durga Puja is celebrated for over 100 plus years , check out my blog.
amitabhagupta.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/durga-puja-of-bone...
(c)Amitabha Gupta
Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited. Please contact me personally for any use of this photograph
An Exhibition Of Arts and Crafts
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival in India that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. During this period Bengal turns to an art gallery to celebrate its biggest festival .
Durgapur Station Club, DPL, West Bengal, India
The lighting was all set fora geat image; the play of light and shades provoked me as always. I had to brave the scolding
and face the challenge of a very narrow spot to stand and compose. Finally I could manage this somewhat presentable picture
An Exhibition Of Arts and Crafts
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival in India that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. During this period Bengal turns to an art gallery to celebrate its biggest festival .
Durgapur, Bardhaman, West Bengal, India
From Mahalaya onwards artisans start painting the Goddess Durga idols, specially the eyes. Locally known as "Chokkhudan", the painting of the eyes requires definite skill.
Although this is one of the most cliched shot of Durga Puja festival, however it is still a hot favorite of the photographers in Bengal. I have taken such shots on many years, yet I never miss an opportunity of shooting it over and over. :-)
(c)Amitabha Gupta
Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited. Please contact me personally for any use of this photograph
Santosh Mitra Square
Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is a fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
The fountain has appeared in several notable films, including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and is a popular tourist attraction.
You say good-bye to one God and wave Hello to another! :-)
Shubho Mahalaya! May all the blessings of the Mother Goddess shower down upon you and your loved ones.
View Large on Black.
An Exhibition Of Arts and Crafts
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival in India that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. During this period Bengal turns to an art gallery to celebrate its biggest festival .
Durgapur Station Club, DPL, West Bengal, India
Chokkhu Daan (Gifting of Eyes), which symbolically breathes life into the clay image of the goddess by painting the eyes.
(c)Amitabha Gupta
Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited. Please contact me personally for any use of this photograph
It is so relaxing to chat with an old friend about the glorious past on the first day of Durga Puja. Shot at the house of Late Akrur Dutta's Family at Kolkata.
To know about such houses at Kolkata where Durga Puja is celebrated for over 100 plus years , check out my blog.
amitabhagupta.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/durga-puja-of-bone...
(c)Amitabha Gupta
Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited. Please contact me personally for any use of this photograph
Durga Puja, also referred as Durgotsab is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates worship of Hindu goddess Durga.
Durga Puja is widely celebrated in the eastern states of India - West Bengal, Assam , Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura where it is a five-day annual holiday. Not only it is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the eastern parts of India, but also the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengali society.