Bodhon

Autumn’s clear blue sky tells everyone that Durga puja is round the corner. The preparation begins to worship the divine power in the form of Durga. With Mahalaya the devipaksha starts and the pandals are decked up to usher Devi Durga. Although the idols are brought and placed inside the pandals but Durga’s face remains covered.

On the sixth lunar day i.e. Sasthi the priest performs a number of rituals like bodhon, amontron and adhibas to welcome Devi Durga.

The face of the idol is unveiled and the priest invokes Devi by instilling life in the idol. This is called pranpratistha. Bodhon is the consecration of the goddess Durga idol. An earthen or brass pot (ghot) is placed in front of the idol within a marked reactangular area. It is the real form of reverence. These rituals set the tone for the puja which begins on next day i.e. Saptami.

In Ramayana, Lord Rama, accompanied by Hanumana and the monkey army, reached Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from the ten- headed demon king Ravana. Before commencing the war against Ravana, he prayed to Devi Durga for her blessings.

In the Puranas, King Suratha used to worship Ma Durga during April- May (Basanta/Spring) when gods and goddesses are awake i.e. “Uttarayan”. Traditionally it was also known as Basanti puja. But Rama performed the puja during autumn, when gods and goddesses are resting (“Dakshinayan”) which is untimely (Akal). He performed “Chandi puja” to invoke Devi Durga for her blessings. Thus this puja is also known as Akalbodhon (untimely invocation).

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Dear Ragini
I have a small question. During Durga Puja in Patna, I have seen a white saree-with red border figure standing near Ganesha. I learnt that it is a small banana tree. What does the figure mean ?

Dear Aparna,

Nabapatrika snan is performed on Saptami. Actually nabapatrika was a popular ritual performed by peasant folk for prosperous harvest during autumn. As idol worship was not common then people worshipped mother nature in the form of nine plants (nabapatrika). Later on as worshipping Durga during autumn gained popularity the rituals of nabapatrika were integrated with Durga puja. The nine plants symbolize nine different goddesses which are nine different forms of Devi Durga.

Nowadays nabapatrika is lovingly referred to as “kala bou” and is considered wife of Lord Ganesha. At the pre-dawn hours of Saptami the nabapatrika is tied with nine bunches of yellow thread along with twigs of Aparajita plant and is bathed in holy waters. Holy waters of eight places are used in the bath which is accompanied by lot of mantras and musical instruments and ragas. The nabapatrika is drapped in a new red-bordered white sari and placed beside Lord Ganesha in the pandal. This is why it is also known as kala bou. The nabapatrika is used to infuse life into idol of Ma Durga.

Very Informative.Thanks.

The sandhipuja is the most important part of entire Durga puja. It is performed during last 24 minutes of Ashtami and first 24 minutes of Nabami. During Sandhikhon (sacred juncture) Ma Durga, in the form of Chamunda killed two generals of Mahisasura, Chanda and Mundo. This puja is the highest point of Durga puja and a lot of rituals are performed.

One such ritual is balidaan or animal sacrifice. Sacrifice or bali is a symbol of power. Since we worship Durga as embodiment of shakti (power) so it essential to integrate bali as part of puja. Traditionally animals were sacrificed in front of the goddess. There were several socio-economic reasons behind that. But animal sacrifice is not a must. So, nowadays most of the pujas have banished animal sacrifice. As sacrifice kumro (gourd), cucumber or sugarcane is preferred.

On the last day of Durga Puja, I saw ladies queing up for Darpan-Visarjan. Can you tell me what it is about?

Dear Mallika,


Dashami is the last day of the puja when with tearful eyes we sent off Ma Durga to Kailash, abode of Shiva. This is called bisharjan.

Our puja rituals depict our primitive beliefs where goddess was worshipped as Mother Nature. During Bodhon the goddess or Mahashakti is summoned to bel (wood apple) tree. A branch is marked before puja commences. This branch is severed from the tree and tied to a mirror (darpan). The mirror is placed on a platter in such a way that the face of the idol is reflected in the mirror. On the day of Dashami after worshipping the goddess this mirror is immersed in a platter of water. This is known as darpan bisharjan. Till then no one has the permission to touch the idol. After the priest performs darpan bisharjan the common people seek the blessings of Ma Durga.

Throughout Durga pujo we perform a lot of rituals that are directly linked to our lives and that helps to build community feeling. Sindur khela is one such ritual which is performed on the day of Dashami, the last day.

The married women perform their last worship by offering Devi Durga sweets and betel leaves and new clothes. This is generally known as “boron”. The married women also apply sindur (vermillion) to Devi. Then the sindur khela starts. The married women take part in it with much gusto. They apply sindur to each other and greet each other with sweets. Everybody enjoy this as they greet even unknown people with laughter and good wishes.

Then bishorjon happens which is followed by bijaya greetings.