"Mahalaya" : The advent of Maa Durga, the Goddess of Supreme Power

"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

12. Anekavarna: The one who has multiple complexions
13. Aparna: The one who abstains from eating even leaves while fasting
14. Apraudha: The one who never ages
15. Bahula: The one who has diverse forms and manifestations
16. Bahulaprema: The one who is loved by all
17. Balaprada: The giver of strength
18. Bhavini: The beautiful one
19. Bhavya: The one who stands for the future
20. Bhadrakaali: The gentle form of Goddess Kali
21. Bhavani: The mother of the universe
22. Bhavamochani: The one who is the liberator of the universe
23. Bhavaprita: The one who is adored by the entire universe
24. Bhavya: The one who has magnificence
25. Brahmi: The one who has the power of Lord Brahma
26. Brahmavadini: The one who is omnipresent
27. Buddhi: The embodiment of intelligence
28. Buddhida: The one who bestows wisdom
29. Chamunda: The killer of the demons called Chanda and Munda
30. Chandi: The fearful form of Durga        
31. Chandraghanta: The one who has mighty bells
32. Chinta: The one who takes care of Tension
33. Chita: The one who prepares the Death-bed
34. Chiti: The one who has a mind that thinks          
35. Chitra: The one with the quality of being Picturesque
36. Chittarupa: The one who is in a state of thought
37. Dakshakanya: The one known to be the daughter of Daksha
38. Dakshayajñavinaashini: The one who interrupts the sacrifice of Daksha
39. Devamata: The one who is known as the Mother Goddess
40. Durga: The one who is unconquerable
41. Ekakanya: The one who is known to be the girl child
42. Ghorarupa: The one who has an aggressive outlook
43. Gyaana: The one who is the embodiment of Knowledge
44. Jalodari: The one who is the abode of the ethereal universe
45. Jaya: The one who emerges as the Victorious
46. Kaalaratri: The Goddess who is black like night
47. Kaishori : The one who is an adolescent
48. Kalamanjiiraranjini: The one who wears a musical anklet
49. Karaali: The one who is Violent
50. Katyayani: The one who is worshipped by sage Katyanan
51. Kaumaari: The one who is an adolescent
52. Komaari: The one known to be a beautiful adolescent
53. Kriya: The one who is in action
54. Krooraa: The one who is murderous on demons
55. Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth
56. Maheshwari: The one who possesses the power of Lord Mahesha
57. Maatangi: The Goddess of Matanga
58. MadhuKaitabhaHantri: The one who killed  the demon-duo Madhu and Kaitabha
59. Mahaabala: The one who has immense strength
60. Mahatapa: The one with severe penance
61. MahishasuraMardini:    The destroyer  of the bull-demon Mahishaasura
62. Mahodari: The one who has a huge belly which stores the universe
63. Manah: The one with a   Mind
64. Matangamunipujita: The one who is worshipped by the Sage Matanga
65. Muktakesha: The one who flaunts open tresses
66. Narayani: The one known to be the destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)
67. NishumbhaShumbhaHanani: The killer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha
68. Nitya: The one known as The eternal
69. Paatala: The one with the colour Red
70. Paatalavati: The one who is clothed in red
71. Parameshvari: The one known as the Ultimate Goddess
72. Pattaambaraparidhaana: The one who wears dress made out of leather
73. Pinaakadharini: The one who holds the trident of Shiva
74. Pratyaksha: The one who is original
75. Praudha: The one who is old
76. Purushaakriti: The one who takes the shape of a man
77. Ratnapriya: The one who is adorned or loved by jewels
78. Raudramukhi: The one who has a frightening face like the destroyer Rudra
79. Saadhvi: The one who is self-confident
80. Sadagati: The one who is always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)
81. Sarvaastradhaarini: The one who possesses all the missile weapons
82. Sarvadaanavaghaatini: The one who possesses the power to kill all the demons
83. Sarvamantramayi: The one who possesses all the instruments of thought
84. Sarvashaastramayi: The one  who is skillful in all theories
85. Sarvasuravinasha: The one who is the destroyer of all demons
86. Sarvavahanavahana: The one who rides all vehicles
87. Sarvavidya: The one who is Knowledgeable
88. Sati: The one who got burned alive
89. Satta: The one who is above all beings
90. Satya: The one who resembles truth
91. Satyanandasvarupini: The one who has the form of Eternal bliss
92. Savitri: The one who is the daughter of the Sun God Savitri
93. Shaambhavi: The one who is the companion of Shambhu
94. Shivadooti: The one who is the ambassador of Lord Shiva
95. Shooldharini: The one who holds a monodent
96. Sundari: The one who is gorgeous
97. Sursundari: The one who is extremely beautiful
98. Tapasvini: The one who is engaged in repentance
99. Trinetra: The one who has three-eyes

100.              Vaarahi : The one who rides on Varaah

101. Vaishnavi: The one who is invincible
102. Vandurga: The one known as the Goddess of forests
103. Vikrama: The one who is violent
104. Vimalauttkarshini: The one who provides joy
105. Vishnumaya: The one who is the charm of Lord Vishnu
106. Vriddhamaata: The one known as the old mother
107. Yati: The one who renounces the world or the ascetic
108. Yuvati: The one who is a young woman