Introduction

Durga is said to be the deity of power. worship this Goddess for a fortnight f. e., twice a year. At first it is worshipped in ‘Chait’ which falls during March and April and then in Kuwar, say October or early November before Dusshehra.

History and various names

Durga is said to be the destroyer of evils. No demon can face her. She killed Mahishasur,” when in atrocities he crossed the limits. The Goddess is called Mahis hmardini’, the killer of Mahishasur. She liquidated ‘Shumbha and Nishumbha and henceforth she is called ‘Shumbha-Nishumbha Sangharini’. She has done away with Chund Munda’ and so the is also called ‘Chamunda’. It is said that in the battle of Lanka, when Ram was unable to destroy Ravan, he worshipped this deity and consequently he was able to kill Ravan. This is why she is worshipped before Dusshehra .

Greatness of Durga

Durga is regarded as the greatest Goddess. It is said that whenever Ram, the incarnation of Vishnu, was in trouble, he worshipped this Goddess and only due to her greatness, he could get success against Ravan. We, the Hindus, worship the deity win over the evil spirits. This has been done from times immemorial and always the success went to the worshipers.

Way of celebration

Durga Puja is celebrated all over India with different names and distinct ways of celebration. Hindus per from this function from Amavasya’, the first day of the month to Ashatmi, the eight day of month in Chait and Kunwar. For eight or nine nights, the deity, made of paper, mud or pitcher with a kernel of copra, is worshipped and on the ninth or tenth day the deity or her ruminants are immersed into the river. In U. P. it is on the ninth day that the deity is immersed into water. In Bengal the murti is dived away on the tenth day with great pomp and show. People distribute alms and Prasad to those present and then they are busy at days work.

Now-a-days, when earthen vessels have become so dear some men prefer the mental vessels, which are cleaned on the, ‘Amavasya’ and are put in place of the Goddess. A lamp of ghee is burnt everyday before the deity. Flowers and garlands are also offered to her.

Magmanimity

No words can describe the magnanimity of the diety. It has been described in Sanskrit in ‘Durga Saptsati’, containing hundred verses about Durga. She is also named as Katayayani, Gauri, Kali, Shiva, Rudramba, Sarvamangla, Chandika and Ambika etc. She prevails upon us to do good things with good gestures and at proper times. Lesson-If we make a vow to worship the Goddess, offer her sweets, flowers, garland and the lamp, on evil can haunt us externally or internally. We are sure to get rid of unemployment and win over the evil doers.

Conclusion

The diety gives us happiness and freedom so we worship her. We are not to sit idle after performing the worship but we should be brave and agile like Durga to face all evils and eradicate them. It is not desirable that we should perform the Puja as we have to perform it, but we should remember that Goddess Durga’ gives us power at every step and she is bound to give us success if we worship her truthfully. She has eight hands. In every hand, there is something or the other. She smiles when she is happy and she frons when she is angry. The similar habits we have to inculcate in us. Her couch and the bell is a sign of victory. Her lion, on which she rides, performs miracles when angry, and kills the demons with his sharp, teeth and long nails. We should not divert our attention and worship such a Goddess with a clear heart and she will bring happiness and laurels in our life.