DURGA PUJA-9: MAHANAVAMI & DASHAMI

As per Hindu calender timings this time all puja were early in the morning.

We had Mahanavami and Dashami on the same day.

Devi Durga on the MahaNavami

Here the Purohit-moshai(Priest) is giving directions for the Havan(prayer offered in presence of fire with chanting of mantras or holy verses). He forced my hubby to change into white Dhoti(long white cloth wore as lowers), tie a gamcha pagri(head gear) and also have a paatvastra(the orange cloth around his neck with deity names on it) before he sat to perform Havan in behalf of the whole community.

Havan

My daughter Aarotrika on my husband's right and son sitting on his left. They were mesmerized by the fire. 

Dashami Puja is over

We did Boron were in the Devi and her family are bade farewell just the way a married daughter is bade farewell when she proceeds for her  husband's home after her stay in Maike(mother's home).

This was followed by Sindoor khala, wherein all married women apply sindoor to each other and share sweets

Me in a red Taant saari holding Aarotrika

 Tearful moment

The Devi is going back to her abode

Visarjan

We went to ghaat(river bank) to witness Visarjan(immersion)

 

The holy water from the river was brought home and sprinkled.

बोलो बोलो दूर्गा  माई की... जय 

आश्चे बोछोर आबार होबे 

Next year we shall again have Durga Puja

have already started waiting...

DURGA PUJA-8: MAHASHTAMI & SANDHI PUJA

Mahashtami started early and ended with beautiful Sandhi Puja

It was fun waking up at 3am before dawn to go to Pandaal for making Mool Bhog(Anna or cereal prasaad for the Gods) for Ashthami

followed by Ashthami pushpanjali

then

Sandhi Puja

 

The 108 diyas were placed in shape of Devi's footprint

108 Lotus were bloomed

108 dhan(rice with husk) tied

108 dub(three branched grass tips) tied

 Best is when we all come together to lit the diyas with chanting of mantras

It is a pretty sight to behold

 Sandhyaarti time

Along with the Dhaak  and Dhuno(a type of dry gum from plants which when burnt gives out lovely scent)

Devi more beautiful on the Ashthami

 

Here is Dhunochi dance

My little ones performed in a group dance

Aarotrika woke up early after her afternoon nap

Time to get ready

I put nail paint on her for the first time.

Aarotrika was thrilled, a step towards growing up

Aalta(red colour) on feet

Payal

Bangles

May God protect her from all evil

 

 They danced to tunes of

"Ek ekke ek

dui du guni chaar..."

"1x1=1

2x2=4..."

The song says that children in the school are restless to see the preparations for Durga puja, can no more concentrate on studies...

 They even got lovely prizes for their performances

Kids: Adhrit, Aarotrika and Upasana

That's me on the right in the red Kantha saari

  After the Puja and all cultural events

DURGA PUJA-7: SAPTAMI

The days unfold so quick at times

Saptami is here

In the evening of Saptami in front of Devi Durga, a painting competition for the kids was organized

The winners

Adhrit also won 3rd prize in under 5yrs age catagory

My darlings at very hard work

Had to keep imploring my younger one, Adhrit to colour a little more as there is more time left

So many enthusiastic kids putting their imaginations on paper with colours

 

 Following the competition was Aarti along with Dhuno and Dhaak

DURGA PUJA-6: DURGASHASHTHI & PANDAAL HOPPING

Durgashashthi is here

Mothers ask for blessing for their children

 

We went Pandaal hopping in late morning

It rained here

Here's glimpse of a Pandaal in the shape of boat

Devi Durga is said to have come to her parent's house Earth on a boat this year

The rain stopped

Here is a small road off the main road and

we spot a beautiful Pandaal

The entrance

The entrance gateway

adorned in paintings and terracotta bells

Inside there were panels with many more paintings

 The Goddess with her family

There were many panels of paintings all around the pandaal

Each painting telling a folklore or

Religious story

 Another panel with Devi Durga, Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, Kartike, lion and the demon Mahishasoor

 A little ahead another Pandaal in rich red colour

 Yet another neat and nice Devi murti

We went again at night

This Pandaal is in Gariyahaat

 You can see the croud

After crossing the croud we reached the Puja sthal, lovely

Here the decoration of the pandaal is with thin plywood, burlap and thermacol; and all coloured in sandstone shade

The walls and ceiling remind you of sand stone carved temples of Rajasthan

Neatly designed Pandaal closeby

Inside was a huge murti

I loved this Pandaal from Hindustaan Park

Very innovative

Verry interesting

The Gateway

From the ceiling is dangling shankha-pola (auspicious bangle of married bengali women). so many that can't see the ceiling

All the construction is with bamboo covered with Laal paar shada saari( red bordered white saari), sindoor (vermilon), diyas(lamps), shankha-pola(auspicious bangle of married bengali women) and red jaaba flower(Hibiscus)

All the statues of deities are made with cloth 

Stories from Devi Durga and Kali potrayed

Another small entrance to the main hall

Paintings of Shakti

 Mystical

Red sindoor

Jaba phool

Big eyes

Laal paar shada saari

Garbhagriha of Pandaal

Beautiful statue

Simple but striking decor

The ceiling of the same pandaal

painting and Laal paar shada saari

 

There are Pandaal at stone throw distance

Roads are full of excited people who come out just like me and you to see all the creative Pandaal and Devi murtis

The stalls are full of array of delicious fast foods

Some stalls for books, toys and decorative items

The air has the smell of Dhuno

Maa Durga is amongst us