"Mahalaya" which marks the beginning of Devi-Paksha and the end of the Pitri-Paksha (the Shradh or the mourning period) is an auspicious day for Bengalis, who celebrate it with much enthusiasm. Mahalaya is observed seven days before the Durga Puja.
"Mahalaya" is a kind of invocation or invitation to the Mother Goddess to descend on earth - "Jago Tumi Jago". This is
done through the chanting
of mantras and singing devotional songs.
Every Bengali on the "Mahalaya" wakes up from bed in the early morning hours to tune in to the “Mahisasura
Mardini” broadcast. "Mahisasura Mardini" speaks of the increasing cruelty of the
demon king Mahisasura against the Gods. Unable to tolerate his tyranny the gods
plead with Vishnu to annihilate the demon. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and
Maheswara (Shiva) come together to create a powerful female form with ten arms
- Goddess Durga or 'Mahamaya', the Mother of the Universe who embodies
the primeval source of all power.
This day also holds a special meaning for Hindus, who perform the ritual of Tarpan (offering). Men clad in dhotis go to the banks of the river Ganga and offer prayers to their deceased forefathers and perform pind-daan.
MEN & WOMEN PERFORMING THE RITUAL "TARPAN" ON THE BANKS OF RIVER HALDI,HALDIA, WEST BENGAL
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Method of performing Tarpan (Source:http://www.sanatan.org)
1. Bodhayan has mentioned that ‘Tarpan should be performed at the riverside’. While performing Tarpan at the riverside, one should stand in the river so that the water level touches the belly button or one should perform tarpan by sitting on the banks of the river.
2. Tarpan for God and Sages should be performed by facing East and that for deceased ancestors’ souls it should be performed by facing South.
3. As per science, tarpan for God should be performed after doing ‘Savya’, that for Sages should be performed after doing ‘Nivit’ and for deceased ancestors’ souls after doing ‘Apasavya’.
4. A dried grass twig (darbha) is necessary for performing tarpan. Tarpan for God is performed from the tip of the darbha, tarpan for Sages should be performed by folding the darbha in the middle, and tarpan for deceased ancestors’ souls should be performed from the tip and root of the two darbhas.
5. Offering of water (tarpan) to deities should be done using the finger tips, while offering of water to Sages should be done from the base of the little finger and the third finger and that to the deceased ancestors’ souls should be done through the mid of the thumb and the first finger of the hand.
6. Tarpan should be performed taking one handful (anjali) of water for each deity, two handful of water for Sages and three handful of water for deceased ancestors’ souls. In case of matrutrayi (mother, grandmother and great grandmother) three handful of water should be used and for other females ancestors’ souls one handful of water should be used for tarpan.
(Original meaning of word ‘anjali’ is handful (‘onjal’). In this context, however, ‘giving one handful (anjali) of water for tarpan’ is to indicate that the tarpan should be given only once – Compiler)
108 Names of Durga
from the Devi Mahatmya (Chandi)
These names appear in the Purana called Devi Mahatmyam or Devi Mahatmya (The
Glory of the Goddess) narrates
the story of Goddess Durga's battle and eventual victory over the demon king
Mahishasura. Composed around 400–500 CE in Sanskrit by the ancient Indian sage
Markandeya, this Hindu scripture is also known as the Durga Saptashat or
simply the Chandi.
1 1. Aadya: The primordial reality
2. Aarya: The Goddess
3. Abhavya: The fearful Goddess
4. Aeindri: The one who is powered Lord Indra
5. Agnijwala: The one who is capable of spewing fire
6. Ahankara: The one who is full of pride
7. Ameyaa: The one who is beyond any measure
8. Anantaa: The one who is infinite and immeasurable
9. Aja: The one who has no birth
10. Anekashastrahasta: The possessor of many weaponed hand
11. AnekastraDhaarini: The one who
holds multiple weapons
- Anekavarna: The one who has multiple complexions
- Aparna: The one who abstains from eating even leaves
while fasting
- Apraudha: The one who never ages
- Bahula: The one who has diverse forms and manifestations
- Bahulaprema: The one who is loved by all
- Balaprada: The giver of strength
- Bhavini: The beautiful one
- Bhavya: The one who stands for the future
- Bhadrakaali: The gentle form of Goddess Kali
- Bhavani: The mother of the universe
- Bhavamochani: The one who is the liberator of the universe
- Bhavaprita: The one who is adored by the entire universe
- Bhavya: The one who has magnificence
- Brahmi: The one who has the power of Lord Brahma
- Brahmavadini: The one who is omnipresent
- Buddhi: The embodiment of intelligence
- Buddhida: The one who bestows wisdom
- Chamunda: The killer of the demons called Chanda and Munda
- Chandi: The fearful form of
Durga
- Chandraghanta: The
one who has mighty bells
- Chinta: The one who takes care of Tension
- Chita: The one who prepares the Death-bed
- Chiti: The one who has a mind that
thinks
- Chitra: The one with the quality of being Picturesque
- Chittarupa: The one who is in a state of thought
- Dakshakanya: The one known to be the daughter of Daksha
- Dakshayajñavinaashini: The one who interrupts the sacrifice of Daksha
- Devamata: The one who is known as the Mother Goddess
- Durga: The one who is unconquerable
- Ekakanya: The one who is known to be the girl child
- Ghorarupa: The one who has an aggressive outlook
- Gyaana: The one who is the embodiment of Knowledge
- Jalodari: The one who is the abode of the ethereal universe
- Jaya: The one who emerges as the Victorious
- Kaalaratri: The Goddess who is black like night
- Kaishori
: The one who is an adolescent
- Kalamanjiiraranjini: The one who wears a musical anklet
- Karaali: The one who is Violent
- Katyayani: The
one who is worshipped by sage Katyanan
- Kaumaari: The one who is an adolescent
- Komaari: The one known to be a beautiful adolescent
- Kriya: The one who is in action
- Krooraa: The one who is murderous on demons
- Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth
- Maheshwari: The one who possesses the power of Lord
Mahesha
- Maatangi: The Goddess of Matanga
- MadhuKaitabhaHantri: The one who killed the demon-duo Madhu and
Kaitabha
- Mahaabala: The one who has immense strength
- Mahatapa: The one with severe penance
- MahishasuraMardini: The destroyer of the
bull-demon Mahishaasura
- Mahodari: The one who has a huge belly which stores the universe
- Manah: The one with a Mind
- Matangamunipujita: The one who is worshipped by the Sage Matanga
- Muktakesha: The one who flaunts open tresses
- Narayani: The one known to be the destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)
- NishumbhaShumbhaHanani: The killer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha
- Nitya: The one known as The eternal
- Paatala: The one with the colour Red
- Paatalavati: The one who is clothed in red
- Parameshvari: The one known as the Ultimate Goddess
- Pattaambaraparidhaana: The one who wears dress made out of leather
- Pinaakadharini: The one who holds the trident of Shiva
- Pratyaksha: The one who is original
- Praudha: The one who is old
- Purushaakriti: The one who takes the shape of a man
- Ratnapriya: The one who is adorned or loved by jewels
- Raudramukhi: The one who has a frightening face like the destroyer
Rudra
- Saadhvi: The one who is self-confident
- Sadagati: The one who is always in motion, bestowing Moksha
(salvation)
- Sarvaastradhaarini: The one who possesses all the missile weapons
- Sarvadaanavaghaatini: The one who possesses the power to kill all the demons
- Sarvamantramayi: The one who possesses all the instruments of thought
- Sarvashaastramayi: The one who is skillful in all theories
- Sarvasuravinasha: The one who is the destroyer of all demons
- Sarvavahanavahana: The one who rides all vehicles
- Sarvavidya: The one who is Knowledgeable
- Sati: The one who got burned alive
- Satta: The one who is above all beings
- Satya: The one who resembles truth
- Satyanandasvarupini: The one who has the form of Eternal bliss
- Savitri: The one who is the daughter of the Sun God Savitri
- Shaambhavi: The one who is the companion of Shambhu
- Shivadooti: The one who is the ambassador of Lord Shiva
- Shooldharini: The one who holds a monodent
- Sundari: The one who is gorgeous
- Sursundari: The one who is extremely beautiful
- Tapasvini: The one who is engaged in repentance
- Trinetra: The one who has three-eyes
- Vaishnavi: The one who is invincible
- Vandurga: The one known as the Goddess of forests
- Vikrama: The one who is violent
- Vimalauttkarshini: The one who provides joy
- Vishnumaya: The one who is the charm of Lord Vishnu
- Vriddhamaata: The one known as the old mother
- Yati: The one who renounces the world or the ascetic
- Yuvati: The one who is a young woman
