2013 Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a famous Hindu festival when Goddess Durga is worshipped. Durga Puja is also known as
Durgotsava. Durgotsava refers to all five days festivity and these five days are observed as
Shashthi,
Maha Saptami,
Maha Ashtami,
Maha Navami and
Vijayadashami. (According to Hindu religious texts Durga Puja, including Chandi Path, should begin from the next day of
Mahalaya Amavasya. Mahalaya is the most important day of
Pitru Paksha, when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, is not considered for starting any auspicious work.)
Most states except West Bengal do
Ghatasthapana on Pratipada which is the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya. Ghatasthapana is equivalent to
Kalparambha during Durga Puja when Goddess Durga is invoked. Kalparambha mostly falls on Shashthi Tithi during Devi Paksha. According to regional customs and beliefs Durga Puja during
Shardiya Navratri varies from nine days to one day only which is also mentioned in
Dharmasindhu.
The Goddess Durga arrives on the Earth on the first day of
Devi Paksha which starts on the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya during Pitru Paksha. She departs on
Durga Visarjan day. The weekdays when she arrives and departs are significant and considered as omen of coming time.
Check
Durga Puja dates in 2014
