Mahashoshti Bodhon Ritual of Durga Puja in Bangalore
Mahashoshti (Maha Shashti) day of Durga Puja is significant. The Bodhon ritual of Durga Puja, is held at auspicious time. Maa Durga is invited through chants of special mantras.
This is the first day of the five day long festival. There are special rituals like Amontron (meaning invitation), Bodhon (meaning invocation or worship) and Adhibas (meaning reside) on Maha Shoshtthi day of Durga Pujo.
The purohit (priest) chants special mantras to invite Maa Durga to reside in the idol that is to be worshiped the next 4 days. When the idol makers deliver the idols, they are nothing but clay idols. They are made holy with chant of special mantras at the auspicious time of the day.
Maha Shoshti Bodhon ritual
Bodhon Ritual of Durga Puja
Bodhon means awakening of Goddess Durga. This ritual, Bodhon includes the unveiling of the face of the idol. It is believed that the deity comes alive after this ritual.
This is also known as Akal Bodhon. According to scriptures Gods and Goddesses are in deep slumber during Dakshinayan (winter solstice).
Akal Bodhon Rituals of Durga Puja
Maha Shoshti unveiling of face of Maa Durga
Ramayana connection…
Since Durga Puja is in the middle of winter solstice, usually during September or October, Goddess Durga has to be awakened. Only She can protect earthlings from the havoc created by buffalo headed demon, Mahishasur.
Scriptures also mention that it was Lord Rama who first invoked her to propitiate, appease Her before fighting Demon Ravana. In Ramayana there is mention of Lord Rama performing Durga Puja in autumn. Before setting off to war with Ravana who had abducted his wife Sita He invoked Goddess Durga. Since autumn is the time when gods sleep, She had to be woken up first. This ritual is Akal (untimely) Bodhon.
Items needed for Mahashoshti Bodhon ritual of Durga Puja
The picture below shows some of the ingredients that are required for a Bodhon: a bael, an earthen pot, a kundohari (an earthen bowl full of a type of rice), four bamboo arrows, a green coconut with stalk, a traditional Indian towel and a dhoti.
Invocating the Goddess in the bael tree (Bengal Quince), post the Bodhan, is known as Adhivas.
Goddess Durga adorned with Weapons
Durga is worshiped and adorned with weapons on this day. Since she set off to war with Mahisasur, the demon, Gods gifted her the different weapons to kill the demon.
The ten arms of Goddess Durga is depicted with 10 arms which symbolizes that she protects her devotees from 10 directions. The 10 directions are: the 8 corners of land and from the sky above and the earth below.
Each of the 10 hands of Goddess Durga holds different weapons. They are: a conch, discuss, lotus, sword, arrow and bow, trishul, mace, thunderbolt, snake and flame.
Here’s what each weapon symbolizes:
Trishul: Gifted to Her by Lord Shiva. Also called the trident, it has 3 sharp edges. They are symbolic. Humans are composed of 3 gunas (qualities): Tamas (inactivity and lethargic tendency), Rajas (hyperactivity and desires) and Sattva (positivity and purity). As the trident pierces anything to death, the compassion of Maa Durga shall confer the wisdom necessary to conquer the three qualities and emerge victorious. Meaning death in Her hands is a blessing in disguise.
Conch: Gifted to Her by Lord Varuna (God of Water). Conch is a symbol of the primordial sound called ‘AUM‘ from which the entire creation has emerged. It is blown to signify the start of anything auspicious. In this case the war with Mahisasur.
Chakra: Gifted to Her by Lord Vishnu. It is depicted to be revolving around Durga’s hands. It signifies that Durga is the center of creation and whole universe revolves around her.
Lotus: Gifted by Lord Brahma. Lotus is symbolic to awakening of spiritual consciousness of soul. Divine Mother blesses her devotees to understand the transience of life and seek the ultimate truth.
Sword: Sharp edged sword indicates the sharpness of intellect. Humans are urged to imbibe this sharpness and use the sense of discrimination to overcome their negativity.
Bow and arrow: Gifted by Lord Vayu (God of wind) and Lord Surya (Sun God). The bow and arrow are the symbols of energy.
Mace: Gifted by Lord Vishnu. Mace urges humans to exhibit loyalty, love and devotion to Mother Durga.
Thunderbolt: Gifted by Lord Indra. This weapon symbolizes firmness of spirit. Praying to Mother Durga will help shatter the problems encountered in life without losing confidence. She blesses her devotees with confidence and willpower to face life.
Snake: Indicates ascend of mind from the lower state of consciousness to the higher state of existence and experiencing pure bliss.
Axe: Gifted by Lord Vishvakarma. It signifies no fear of consequences when fighting the evil.
Pin this for later
very nice blogs and photos Indrani
A wonderful post, thanks Indrani. I always love to learn about different cultures and yours is such a rich one.
Happy festive season . Waiting to see more on this topic
Interesting! This is the season Bengalis look forward all the year right. I was in Calcutta couple of months back, it was so interesting to see artists painting the idols
Beautiful! Please do share some more pictures from Durga Puja.
nice and interesting post
Gorgeous blooms and beautifully captured too!
Hosta post, have a nice week ahead!
Interesting ritual!
I enjoyed this post very much, Indrani. The mouse-over is wonderful and the information is too.
That's one very interesting post. These images are great.
Very interesting and nice post.
Regards and best wishes
very interesting. thanks for sharing a bit of your culture.
A lovely post to read…thanks for sharing.
What beautiful pictures with amazing color. An interesting ritual.
Wonderful, informative post and I do so enjoy them. And may I wish you Happy Durga Pooja, too! Enjoy! Have a great week, Indrani!
Sylvia
Wish you Happy Durga Pooja
A beautiful religion, so good.
Spent the afternoon reading all the Puja supplements and your post is beautiful!
Thanks for your comment on my blog. As children we called the bloom "shephali". It was only years later that I knew "shiuli" was the same. Here it's called "sewali".
Happy Durga Puja!
Nice insightful post Indrani. Did not know of these rituals, Durga Puja is so similar to the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations which take place in Mumbai…
Have a fabulous Sunday:)
Thank you for sharing this interesting post!
Dear Indrani,
Thank you for this wonderful post. Insight into a religion unknown to me …
Many greetings from Switzerland
Hans-Peter