MYTHOLOGICAL STORY OF MAA DURGA1

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MYTHOLOGICAL STORY OF MA DURGA

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Mythological Story of Maa Durga Have you ever wondered why we celebrate so many festivals throughout the year? If you just celebrate festival for your joy, implies that you are going back to your mythology and saying big hats off to your great mythic figures. Yes, whatever the customs that you practice are integral part of the large Indian cultural system. All such customs have been practiced from a long time with strong mythological significance henceforth festivals that we celebrate bring lot of spirit, energy, delight, happiness and give a feel of contentment to our lives. Navaratri has been celebrating throughout the country in different ways to worship the deity of power Durga . Many of us are familiar with the festival but the real essence of it is enjoyed when we know why the festival came into being. Here we walk you through the mythological story of Maa Durga .

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We know that Durga Puja is about victory of Good over Evil. Though there are number of reasons to worship Durga , there is a mytholodical view and base to the festival. According to Hindu mythology a demon named Mahishasura , earned the favor of Lord Shiva after a long and hard penance. Lord Shiva, impressed with his devotion, blessed him that no man or deity would be able to kill him and that only a woman can kill him. Mahishasura was very pleased with this boon as he thought that a woman can never defeat him. Mahishasura started his reign of terror over the Universe and people were killed mercilessly. He even attacked the abode of the gods and conquered the heavens and became their leader. After their defeat and humiliation at the hands of Mahishasura , the Gods took refuge under Lord Brahma, who took them to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The only solution left was the creation of a woman who possesses the ultimate power to fight and defeat Mahishasura . Pure energy blazed forth from Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the trinity forming the pure energy of Godhood, all concentrating at one point that took the form of Goddess Durga .

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Goddess Durga , an avatar of Ma Shakti , to save the Devalok and living beings on earth from the tyranny of the monster-demon Mahishasura , as neither of the three could acquire triumph over the demon. Subsequently, Goddess Durga , with the weapons provided to her by the Gods of the Devalok , took over the talk of vanquishing Mahishasura and destroying his invincible strength that was acquired by terrific austerity. The aim of her miraculous arrival on earth was to kill the monster-demon Mahishasura . After fighting hard, Goddess Durga killed the ferocious Mahishasura and restored the heaven to the Gods. Since then, Ma Durga is invoked for protection from the powers of evil. The triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura symbolized the victory of good over the evil. Durga Puja is observed for her victory

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Ma Durga has been mentioned in greatest epic Ramayana. According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama performed Chandi pooja to seek the blessings of powerful Goddess Durga . In order to worship Goddess Durga , Lord Rama needed 108 blue lotus flowers. However, he could manage only with 107. To attain the magical number, he decided to offer one of his eyes, which was lotus-shaped and blue in color , at the Goddess's feet. During the time, Goddess Durga appeared and satisfied with his devotion, blessed him. After receiving the blessings of Goddess Durga , Lord Rama fought hard and acquired victory over Ravana .

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Durga puja is the festival which we celebrate for nine days. Each day of the nine-day festival are dedicated to the worship of different forms of Goddess Durga , which unfolds the religious importance of the occasion. The first three days of Navratri are devoted to the worship of the Goddess Durga . This is the period, when her energy and power are worshipped. Kumari , which signifies the girl child, is worshipped on the first day of the festival. Parvati , who is the embodiment of a young woman, is worshipped on the second day. The destructive aspects of Goddess Durga symbolize the commitment to acquire triumph over all the evil tendencies. Hence, on the third day of Navratri , Goddess Kali is worshipped, who represents the woman who has reached the stage of maturity. Fourth, fifth and sixth day of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi - the goddess of prosperity and peace.

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The seventh day is dedicated to worshipping Saraswati , the goddess of art and knowledge. A ' yagna ' is performed on the eight day. Offerings are made out of clarified butter, rice pudding known as kheer and sesame seeds. The ninth day is the final day of Navratri celebrations. It is also known as ' Mahanavami '. On the day, Kanya puja is performed to worship nine young girls, who have not yet reached the stage of puberty. These nine girls symbolize one of the nine forms of goddess Durga . The feet of girls are washed to welcome the goddess and show respect to her. The girls are offered a set of new clothes as a gift from the devotees at the end of the puja .

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This puja asserts that India is unique not only with its culture but also in the festivals that it celebrates. Ma Durga is known as savior figure in many parts of the country and this is the festival where everybody worships strongest woman goddess across the country. In a way it's the festival of power where we pray for different kinds of power and strength from powerful goddess. Ma Durga is an inspiration to many women. Most women embody Durga's strength in themselves henceforth women can be both constructive as well as destructive.

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