Wednesday, August 30, 2017

2017 MAA DURGA ARRIVES ON BOAT (FLOOD) DEPARTS ON HORSE (WAR)


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 sailing  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.