Dussera

 MY WAY OF CELEBRATION DUSSEHRA

The auspicious occasion of Navratri or the nine-day festival, celebrates goddess Durga and her many avatars. Celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, Sharada Navaratri which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October, marks the victory of good over evil but the stories. The other navratris are Chaitra (Vasanta), Magha and Ashadha.

Navratri, which is made up of two words - 'nav' (nine) and 'ratri' (night) - marks the victory of goddess Durga over the demon, Mahishasura. According to a legend, Mahishasura waged war against the devas, misusing the boon that made him an invincible force. Hence, they collectively infused all their powers into Devi Durga and made her unconquerable. She was blessed with ten hands that carried different weapons, and rode a lion. The goddess killed Mahishasura in a fierce battle with her trident and thus ended the rule of the Asuras. Since then, she came to be known as Mahishasuramardini.

Navratri or the 'nine nights' is meant for rejuvenation and seen as a "cleansing activity" where many people observe fast. This year, Navratri begins on October 17th and ends on October 25th, and the 10th  day that is Vijayadashami and Dussehra.

The details are as follows:

October  17 - Pratipada - Ghatasthapana - Mata Shailputri Puja

Pratipada Tithi 

October 18 - Dwitiya - Mata Brahmacharini Puja

Dwitiya Tithi 

October 19 - Tritiya - Mata Chandraghanta Puja

Tritiya Tithi 

October 20 - Chaturthi - Mata Kushmanda Puja

Chaturthi Tithi 

October 21 - Panchami - Devi Skandmata Puja

Panchami Tithi 

October 22 - Shashti - Mata Katyayani Puja

Shashti Tithi 

October 23 - Saptami - Mata Kalaratri Puja

Saptami Tithi

October 24 - Ashtami - Mahagouri Puja

Ashtami Tithi 

October 25 - Navami - Maa Durga Puja / Mata Siddhidatri

Navami Tithi

I, emphatically underline the aspect brave and sakti of Durga, a female deity who is goddess of bravery wife of Siva. Diligently and meticulously defeated the demon king Mahisasura who was threat to many. As people of this land aware of life and character of Durga, one may need to acquire and posses the quality of bravery to face the challenges from innumerable Mahisasura of India. This is the high time for both male and female need to fight with living demons that are existing high and low. Every now and then there are assault and battery on women and all the marginalized section of people. There are charge of felony and statutory rape which are heinous act of demons they need to be extinguished from religion and society.

 

To subscribe oneself to a religion is to adhere its teachings and values and to subscribe oneself to a society one has to meet the need of society. But which religion speaks to engage oneself in wrong activities? Which society grants permission to practices immorality? Perhaps, those who are involved in such activities are neither belongs to religion nor to any society. They need to be brought to an end with the support of religion and society. Predominantly religion and society gives verdict before the judiciary. As a religious and social being, person need imagine that he or she must acquire the quality of parakram, prasar, dharya, pragalbha, and sakti. The qualities are deeply embedded in each person they need to realized and discovered from within oneself. When one discovers he realizes and the one who realizes he posses those qualities and subsequently uses to bring the demons to an end. 

“Destroy the socio-political and religious monsters of India.”

“Interpret and reinterpret the scripture to revamp religion and society for healthy living.” 

“India is yet to yet to celebrate the real Navaratri.”

“Women are yet to celebrate the real Navaratri.”

“Dalits are yet to celebrate the Navaratri.”

“The poor are yet to celebrate Navaratri.”

“Minorities are yet to celebrate Dussehra.”

But, when?

Wish you a happy Navaratri!