Durga
In Hinduism, Durga (Sanskrit: "the
inaccessible", Bengali: ) is a form of Devi, the supreme goddess. She
is sometimes referred[attribution needed] to as the mother of
Kartikeya, and Ganesha only.
Durga is depicted as a warrior woman riding a lion or a tiger with
multiple hands carrying weapons and assuming mudras,
or symbolic hand
gestures. This form of the Goddess is the embodiment of feminine and
creative energy (Shakti). From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Worship of Durga
The 4 day Durga Puja is the biggest annual festival in Bengal and
other parts of Eastern India, but it is celebrated in various forms
throughout the Hindu universe.
The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami (East and
South India), Dashain (Nepal) or Dussehra (North India) - these words
literally mean "the tenth" (day), vijaya means "of-victory". In
Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari
Parbat in Srinagar).
The actual period of the worship however may be on the preceding nine
days followed by the last day called Vijayadashami in North India or
five days in Bengal, (from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing-moon
fortnight). Nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated
upon, one by one during the nine-day festival by devout shakti
worshippers.
In North India, this tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his
battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra - gigantic
straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces (e.g.
Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of families and little
children.
In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during which
the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the vigorous victory of
Mahishasura-mardini Durga.
The Goddess Durga worshipped in her peaceful form as Shree Shantadurga
also known as santeri , is the patron Goddess of Goa. She is
worshipped by all Goan Hindus irrespective of caste and even by some
Christians in Goa.
Goddess Durga is worshipped in many temples of Dakshina Kannada
district of Karnataka.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga
Durga Puja on Wikipedia
Durga Puja (Bengali: দুর্গাপূজা Durga Puja) is the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus. It is also called Akalbodhan, Vijaya Dashami, Dashain, and Dussehra. The actual period of the worship however may be over the preceding nine days Navaratri or five days ("Sasthi", "Saptami", "Asthami", "Nabami" & "Vijaya Dashami") - (Bengali ষষ্ঠী, সপ্তমী, অষ্টমী, নবমী, বিজয়া দশমী).
