Significance of Maha Saptami in Durga Puja
All days of Durga Pujo have their own significance. Ma Durga descends on earth to save its inhabitants from the demon Mahishasur on Mahalaya, the first day of pujo. After that each day is dedicated to specific rituals. After bodhon on sixth day comes Maha Saptami. On this 7th day Goddess Durga commences the war against evil asura (demon).
Significance of Maha Saptami
The day’s rituals start with Maha Snan (holy bath or bathing ritual) and Pran Prathishta (infusing life). Lot of processes go into each of these rituals. Both processes must be completed within the auspicious hours for the day. Soon after devotees and public offer pushpanjali – prayers and flowers to Goddess Durga under the guidance of the purohit.
Significance of Maha Saptami
Sharing a couple of shots from Maha Saptami of Durga Pujo. The purohit(Hindu priest) offering prayers amidst the muffled sounds of hymns, rhythmic sounds of drum beats, and reverberating sound from conch shells.
Maha Snan
Bathing ceremony of Navapatrika (nine holy plants). These are banana, pomegranate, turmeric, jayanti, ashoke, bel, arum plant, colacassia and paddy. The leaves or branches with leaves on them are tied together and bathed in river Ganges. Purohits carry holy water from Ganges to the places of worship to complete this ritual.
For commencing the war with Mahishasur, Goddess Durga makes war plan with 8 war partners Ashtanayika (8 females). So the nine plants represent these 8 goddesses and Durga herself. After bathing the holy leaves they are tied up with Aparajita (Clitoria Ternatea) (in Bengali the name Aparajita translates to unconquered.)
Since the idol of Goddess Durga cannot be bathed a mirror is used. Her reflection is captured in the mirror and the mirror with the reflection is bathed… thus completing the ritual of Maha Snan.
Aparajita Flower
Prana Pratishtha on Maha Saptami
With this ritual of pran prathishta the purohit infuses life into the idol. In fact after this ceremony the idol is considered holy, auspicious, divine and live. He chants hymns and mantra to invite the deity to reside in the idol. If you happen to see this ritual observe carefully the various mudras he forms with his fingers in holy water and the pot with mango leaves, coconut. They use very special puja items during this process.
Saptami pujo Oikotan Bangalore
Pushpanjali and Bhog
This is followed by anjali (pushpanjali – salutation with offering of flowers.) and of course bhog (sattvik dishes are offered to the Maa Durga and then served as prasaad)… who can forget that!
7th Day of Navratri Festival
Those who celebrate Navratri festival worship Goddess Durga as Kalratri (meaning dark night). She is depicted as ‘4 armed Goddess’ adorning white attire, riding a white cow. She blesses her devotees with the virtue of courageousness. However in south of India, in Kerala, on this seventh day they worship Goddess Durga as Goddess Saraswati. Children keep books and music instruments before her and pray for knowledge.
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Lovely, indeed, to see this festive time.
Nice snaps 🙂 Thanks for sharing the pics!
nice pics Indrani! I have never been able to blow a conch, and wonder how they manage to do it so well!
wonderful photos
Nice to see.. Both this post and under here.. Thanks for your comments! 🙂
Beautiful pictures of Godess Durga. Have a happy festival!
Nice pictures. hope it was great festival time for u.
Indrani, thanks for sharing this beautiful festival.
Very nice. I have never succeeded in blowing sound through a conch!
Kamini.
I like the rich culture!
Wish you Happy Navratri
I like both of these shots very much. The second one is a wonderful portrait.
Happy Pujo
Happy Pujo
What a joyous festival…thanks for sharing!
Hugs
SueAnn
Wishing you a joyous festival..
I so miss Navratri here in England. Thanks for these beautiful photos Indrani!
Thank you for sharing pictures of this festival with us.
Namaste & Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral><}}(°>
that is the way for peace and one get real peace when we hear the magical sound from the shankh.truly divine click .''happy navratri''.