DASARA: What is it?

[Guest guest]

this should be a fun read for any goddess worshippers out there.

but also certain people involved in United States tax reform initiatives for

restoration or reformation may find it inspiring, perhaps even transcendentally,

divinely so. i just feel like kicking it up a nacho, that's all. enjoy.

 

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Durga Puja, Dussehra or Dasera Festival Celebration

 

*Dasara* is celebrated all over India with a lot of fanfare and religious

fervor. A religious as well as a social festival, *Dasara* is an occasion for

pujas and festivities like music, dance and cultural programmes. In Southern

India, especially in Tamil Nadu, *Dasara* is celebrated as Navarathiri.

 

The festival is celebrated as Durga Puja in West Bengal. The celebrations last

for ten days. Durga idols are kept in pandals erected to facilitate worship of

the goddess during this period. Goddess Durga personifies Shakti (life force).

She was supposed to have slain the near invincible *demon*, Mahisasura. These

idols are immersed in ponds or lakes on the ninth day. Goddess Durga's vehicle

is the lion.

 

In Tamil Nadu state, Navaratri (nine nights) celebrations take place.

Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) is worshipped for the first three days,

followed by Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) for three more days. And

the last three days are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. In Hindu

homes the eighth day or NAVAMI prayers are offered to Goddess Saraswathi the

Goddess of learning, seeking knowledge.

 

Books of children and youngsters as well as musical instruments are placed

before the Goddess on that day and pujas performed.

 

Goddess Durga is a manifestation of Devi, the mother goddess. The

*demon*king, Mahisasura, became a threat to both mankind and Gods

alike, thanks to a boon granted by Shiva who made him invincible. Only a woman

could kill him according to a clause of the boon. So all the gods and goddesses

united to form a supreme being in feminine form. This goddess was Durga. She

vanquished Mahisasura. She protects mankind from all evil. That is why she has

several hands, which brandish different weapons. Her vehicle is the tiger.

 

She is also an incarnation of Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.According to Hindu

mythology, a very powerful Asura-*demon* king Mahishasuran prayed to the

almighty and asked for a boon - that his death

should at the hands of a woman and by no other human being or any form of living

being. On being granted his wish, he started inflicting atrocities on all human

beings on the earth. He considered himself to be immortal as he thought that it

was impossible for a woman or any female form of a human being to be powerful

enough to kill him.

 

When his cruelty became unbearable, people prayed to Sakthi the consort of Lord

Shiva to save them from the *demon* and to provide them with salvation. Sakthi

then took the form of Durga and slayed the *demon*. A very popular Sloka on

Goddess Durga is " Mahishasura Mardhini Stothra " :

 

http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Newhomepage/shakti/mahishasuramardini.html

 

The tenth day i.e. DASAMI is considered a day of victory as it signifies the day

Sakthi slays the *demon*. It signifies the victory of good over evil.

VIJAYADASAMI is a day to begin new ventures, be it business or education etc. as

it is an auspicious day and assures one of success.

 

*Source(s):*various sources and personal experience