Maa Durga is the most revered
goddess in Hindu mythology. She is worshipped by all Hindus
all over the world and
epitomizes feminine energy or
‘Shakti’. Goddess Durga has
many forms, each one having a
special significance. Goddess Durga is considered
self-sufficient and an
independent entity. The image
of Goddess Durga typically
shows her riding a lion or tiger
representing power and
holding both
weapons and
carrying lotus flower. In her
most popular images, Maa
Durga is seen with ten arms
and slaying the demon
Mahisasura. Even in this
ferocious form, Goddess Durga
has been shown adorning a
meditative smile, reflecting
her compassionate nature
towards her devotees. Origin of Durga
According to Hindu mythology,
Goddess Durga emerged from
the combined energies of the
Gods Brahma, the Creator,
Vishnu, the Preserver and
Shiva, the Destroyer, in order
to fight the demon called
Mahisasura. As legend goes,
the demon Mahisasura was
awarded the boon that he
could neither be killed by man
of God. Therefore the
presence of a feminine energy
was required to slay this
demon that caused much
destruction in all the three
worlds – Earth, Heaven and
nether world. Goddess Durga was gifted
different weapons by all the
Gods, out of which the spear
and trident have most
commonly been depicted in her
images. She is also seen
holding the chakra, sword, bow
and arrow and other weapons. Worship of Goddess Durga
Goddess Durga is worshipped
with much gaiety in the month
of Aswin and is the biggest
festival in the Indian States of
West Bengal, Orissa, Assam
other countries as well. In
Bengal, the day denoting the
victory of Maa Durga on
Mahisasura is called
VijayaDashami. During the nine days of
worship, nine different forms
of Durga are invoked upon. The ritual san form of worship
of Goddess Durga differs in
each State of India. The last
Day of worship is symbolic of
Durga’s return home to mount
Kailash where Lord Shiva, her
husband is known to reside. Goddess Durga symbolizes
freedom from all fear. Prayers
are offered by devotees to
help them get rid of all their
sins and vices. This Puja
involves a lot of complicated
rituals and Pundits
experienced in this worship are
usually called upon at the time
of Durga Puja. In their
invocation of Maa Durga, he
devotees promises to submit to
her power and energy in
return for release from all
their trouble sand worries.
