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Durga Puja is the biggest festival in West Bengal more so at Kolkata (Calcutta). In western India this is known as Navaratri. This is also called Dussera. In those parts Durga Puja is lot different than the system in Bengal, Bihar and Assam. Statues are made to worship mostly in Bengal, Bihar and Assam. In West Bengal it is known as Durga Puja, in South India this is known as “Ambika” puja, Gujrat & in Himalaya it is known as “Rudrani” etc.
In the universe the good and the evil are always clashing or at war. The goodies or Gods win sometime, the baddies or the Asuras (demons) win sometime. When the baddies win the world gets full of sin. The story goes that Mahisasura (buffalo demon), the Lord of the Asuras (baddies or evil) received blessing from Lord Brahma through years of praying through austere practices. It is mendatory to receive boon after successfuly praying. When Lord Brahma asked Mahisasura to ask for boon he asked to be immortal. Lord Brahma said it is impossible . He than asked that no male power can kill him which means he is invincible. Lord Brahma said OK but you can be killed by a woman. Mahisasura said ‘I am not afraid of any woman’.
Once gaining this power he started ravaging the whole world. He then uprooted the Gods after fierce battle between the Devas and the Asuras. The Devas lost and Asuras captured the haven. Devas (Gods) fled to the earth. The Gods in dismay, combined their powers and their faces started glowing and the glow took the form of a bright light. From the combined aura created a beautiful women.with many hands. Devas each placed his or her most potent weapon in her hands.
Following weapons are given by -
Vishnu
-Chakra (discuss)
Siva - Trisul (trident) Carrier
Varun - Shankha (conchshell) Durga - Lion
Agni - Flaming dart Kartick - Peacock
Vayu - Dhanuk (bow) Ganesh - Mouse
Surya - Tunir & Teer(Quiver & arrow) Swaraswati - Duck
Yama - iron rod Lakshmi - Owl
Indra - Bajro (Thunderbolt) Mahisasura - Buffalo
Himalaya- Lion
The Devi began to roar. To see what had happened Mahisasura came out of his palace. The big worriers in Mahisha’s army attacked the Goddess. The Goddess killed them all. Mahisasura faught a fierce battle. Taking her sword she chopped mahisha’s head. Mahisa died. The devas began praying to the Goddess.
Her teturn each year in the Bengali month of Aswin(September –October) commemorates Rama’s invocation of the goddess Durga before he went into battle with RAVANA, THE TEN HEADED DEVIL KING. The traditional image of West Bengal’s Durga follows the injunction of the Shastras.The tableau of Durga with Kartik, Ganesh, Saraswati and Laksmi , representing the protector,The initiator of Puja, Knowledge and provider – signifies the complete menifestation of the Goddess.
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