Durga Puja is one of the most celebrated festivals in Bengal. Durga Pooja starts with Mahalaya, the first phase of the waxing moon in Aashin maas (Ashwin month). Mahashashti, also known as Durga Puja shashti, is the inauguration day of Durga Puja in Bengal. Here is Durga Puja 2010 calendar or dates or schedule in Bengal:
- Mahalaya Durga Puja – 7 October, 2010 (Mahalaya Amavasya)
- Maha Sasthi Durga Puja – 13 October 2010
- Maha Saptami Durga Puja – 14 October 2010
- Mahashtami Durga Puja – 15 October 2010 (Durgashtami Puja)
- Navami Durga Puja – 16 October 2010 (Mahanabami or Durga Navami)
- Vijaya Dasami Durga Puja – 17 October 2010 (Bijoya Dashami)
The main Durga Pooja starts on Maha Saptami. Mahanavami marks the conclusion of Durga Puja. Durga Puja is performed for three days – Durga Shasthi, Mahashtami and Maha Navami.
Navratri is nine-festive days dedicated to Goddess Durga. Navratri is observed for four times in a year. Magh Navratri and Ashad Navratri are called as Gupt Navratri. Ashad Navratri is also known as Guhya Navratri during which Goddess Varahi (Ashtamatrika devata) is worshipped in Himachal Pradesh. Magh Navaratri 2010 dates are Janaury 16 to January 24. Chaitra Navaratri or Vasant Navratri 2010 dates – Navaratri starts on March 16 and ends on March 24.
Ashad Navratri 2010 starts on July 12 and ends on July 19. Sharad Navratri or Durga Navratri, also known as Ashwin Navratri, in 2010 starts on October 8 and ends on 17 October.
Magh Navratri – January 16, 2010 to 24 January, 2010
Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri – March 16, 2010 to March 24, 2010
Ashad Navratri – 12 July, 2010 to 19 July, 2010
Sharad Navratri – 8 October 2010 to 17 October 2010
Durgashtami or the eighth day during Navaratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga. In 2010, Durga alankaram is worshipped on October 15. On this day Goddess Shakti is decorated as Maha Durga in Vijayawada Kanaka Durga temple and some other temples in South India. This is the most important day to any devotee to worship the Goddess and be blessed with her grace.
Goddess Durga killed the demon Durgasura, the son of Ruru and made the Earth free from evil forces. In Srisailam Bhramarambika temple, on Durgashtami day, Goddess Mahadurga is worshipped.
Durgashtami is a popular festive day in Edupayala Vanadurga Bhavani temple near Medak and Peddamma Thalli temple at Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh.
In 2010 Navaratri Utsava begins on October 8th and ends on October 18th with Dasara (Vijaya Dashami). Sharannavaratri at Sharadamba Temple, Srungeri, Karnataka, is the most auspicious festival when the Supreme Goddess, Sri Sharada Mata, worshipped as Universal Mother is adorned in the form of MahaKali, MahaLakshami and MahaSarawathi. It is celebrated with grandeur by jagatguru Shankaracharya in the Shukla Pakska of Ashwin Masa i.e from Mahalaya Amavasya to Vijaya Dashami. The dates of Navaratri 2010 will be updated later.
On the Mahalaya Amavasya (Sep 19th), Shardambha after the Maha Abhisheka is adorned with Jagat Prasutika Alankara, signifying her role as Universal Mother. The commencement of utsava is marked by the Sri Sharadha Prathishtha on the day following the Amavasya. From this day Devi is decorated on different Vahanas, identifying Devi in several forms.
Here is detailed information about the calendar and dates of Navaratri 2009 and the respective Alankarams:
- Day 1 – Brahmi (Hamsa/ Swan) – 20 September – Ashwayuja Padyami
- Day 2 – Maheshwari (Bull) – 21 September
- Day 3 – Koumari (Peacock) – 22 September
- Day 4 – Vaishnavi (Garuda) – 23 September
- Day 5 – Indrani (Elephant) – 24 September – Lalitha Panchami
- Day 6 – Raja Rajeshwari– 25 September – Maha Shashti
- Day 7 – Gaja Lakshmi – 26 September – Maha Saptami
- Day 8 – Saraswathi (Veena Sharadha) – 27 September – Durgashtami
- Day 9 – Durga – 28 September – Vijaya Dashami
- Day 10 – Kamadhenu – 29 September
Special Poojas:
On the Chaturdhi, an AstaDravya Homa is offered to Lord Ganapati. Starting from Pancahmi Saptashati Parayana is performed with Chandi Homa. Purnahuti takes place on Navami. Gaja Puja and Ayudha Puja are also done on Navami.
On the Vijaya Dashami Pattabishekam Canto from the Raamayana is recited to mark the coronation of Sri Raama. Varius Parayanams(Reciting) from Devi Bhagvata, Harivamsha, Lalitopakhyana, LakshmiNarayana Hridaya, Suta Samhita and Vedas are done during the Navaratri.
With Devi’s Grace devotees deem it a privilege to offer worship to DEVI during the Utsava..
This post is written by Bhargava Kulkarni, a visitor of Hindupad. We thank him for the information given. We hope that Bhargava’s support would be with us always.
Saraswati Puja in Kerala is observed with religious fervor on Mahanavami during Durga Navaratri. In 2010, Saraswati Pooja date is October 16. On this day, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by offering fruits, rice, roasted paddy and jaggery. On Durgashtami day in the evening a puja called Poojavaipu is observed. Books and other stationary goods are kept in front of the Goddess and worshipped.
Before Poojavaipu ritual, all studies and work related to education are stopped and resume works on Vijaya Dashami. Vijaya Dashami in Kerala is observed as Vidyarambham. In 2010, Vidyarambham date is October 17. Vidyarambham is a puja dedicated to Goddess Saraswati during which tiny tots are introduced into the world of learning.
- Pujavaipu 2010 – October 15
- Mahanavami 2010 Saraswati Puja – October 16
- Vidyarambham 2010 on Vijaya Dashami – October 17
Related Posts:
Saraswati Pooja – Sarasvathi Puja
Vidyarambham 2009
Vidyarambham 2009 in Kollur Mookambika temple in Karnataka
