DURGA PUJO 2017
Durga Maa Nowka tey aagomon. Ghatak-e gomon...” Life is a journey. A reminder of our scheduled arrival and departure. In between is Durga Puja – the festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.
The essence of Durga Puja is the celebration of this fight and victory of good over evil – not just in physical terms, but also spiritual. The festival is observed to celebrate Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahisasura the evil Asura (demon) king.
Interestingly, the arrival of Goddess to earth each year is on a specific mode of transportation, having significance amongst the Hindus.
“Nowka tey aagomon means Durga Maa would arrive on Earth this year on a Wednesday at on a boat. This mode of transportation is associated with flood,” the almanac said.
Maa Durga is returning to her heavenly abode after her four-day sojourn to Earth on the Ghatak or Horse – an animal associated with War.
The mode of transportation changes every year according to the almanac. These include Dola, Goj, Ghatak (horse) and Nawka (boat.) Arrival or departure on Ghatak signifies war and drought, whereas on Nawka flood and misery. It’s not known how these beliefs took root amongst, but are taken seriously by many devote Hindus.
Durga or Shakti is also the primordial cosmic feminine energy responsible for creation and destruction.
2012
“Durga Maa Dola tey aagomon. Goj-e gomon...” Life is a journey. A reminder of our scheduled arrival and departure. In between is Durga Puja – the fight of good against evil.
The essence of Durga Puja is the celebration of this fight and victory of good over evil – not just in physical terms, but also spiritual. The festival is observed to celebrate Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahisasura the evil Asura (demon) king.
Interestingly, the arrival of Goddess to earth each year is on a specific mode of transportation, having significance amongst the Hindus.
“Dola tey aagomon means Durga Maa would arrive on Earth this year on a Palanquin and her face would be hidden. This mode of transportation is associated with epidemics and natural calamities,” said a local temple priest here.
But, the good news is, she is returning to her heavenly abode after her four-day sojourn to Earth on the Goj or Elephant, which signifies bountiful harvest and prosperity, he added.
The mode of transportation changes every year according to the almanac. These include Dola, Goj, Ghatak (horse) and Nawka (boat.) Arrival or departure on Ghatak signifies war and drought, whereas on Nawka flood and misery. It’s not known how these beliefs took root amongst, but are taken seriously by many devote Hindus.
20-year-old engineering student, Tupai studying in Chandigarh is here on a Puja vacation. A youth who lost his mother before the Puja celebrations last year. “My mother comes to my memory a lot. She wanted me to be a good electronic engineer, she was my strongest support,” the youngster said.
Durga or Shakti is also the primordial cosmic feminine energy responsible for creation and destruction.
During the occasion, the festival is celebrated in different parts of the state with great love and gaiety. There are 175 Sarbojanin (for everyone) Durga Puja pandals in the state this year, each with its unique design, colour and lights.
“Hope the festival would be celebrated with a spirit of love, gaiety, fraternity and goodwill amongst all sections of the society to spread the message of harmony and peace,” Meghalaya Governor, RS Mooshahary greeted.
Tupai, meanwhile, has not booked his return ticket and unsure whether he would fly or go by train, but is confident of fulfilling his mother’s wish in the true spirit of the Durga Puja celebrations.
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