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Photos and Videos

[Pictures] Farewell to the Goddess with Invitation for the Next Year

Vijaya Dashmi is the tenth day from Navratri Sthapna. It is symbolized as the victory of good over evil, as Dusshera, when Ram won over Ravan and freed Seeta from Lanka. This day is also celebrated for Goddess Durga, who is worshipped during these nine days, is given a grand farewell by the devotees. Every year all the devotees of Goddess Durga become a part of grand procession, and with great enthusiasm, endeavor and devotion, the idols of the Goddess are immersed in water bodies.

Visarjan | Durga Pooja | UdaipurBlog.com

It is believed that during Navratri, Goddess Durga and her kids visit us, at her home, or Maayka from her in-law home place (Sasural), and goes back from our world to her Sasural on the 10th day. Hence on the 10th day, the procession is similar to any farewell celebrations which happen after all marriages. After the deity is immersed, people wish each other with the greetings of Vijaya Dashmi, and return to their homes.

This year, I became a part of the Vijaya Dashmi celebration at Bengali Kalibadi Society, Hiran Magri Sec. 4. I could see crowd gathering and everyone preparing for the farewell to the Goddess.Women were beautifully dressed in traditional white Sarees with red borders.  The ceremony was started by a ritual called Darpan Visarjan, followed by Sindur Khela, a ceremony only for women where they worship Goddess Durga, and then play with Sindoor. After that, the idols were loaded onto a truck, and the entire procession followed shouting slogans, with Dhols, Nagaadas, and huge amount of fireworks. Slowly and slowly the procession reached Swaroop Sagar, where keeping in mind the eco-friendly tradition,  the non-biodegradable/plastic items were stripped off the idols, and with full devotion the deity was immersed into water, with an invitation to shower the blessings on us and come again in the next year.

Check out the pictures of the event, captured by (in alphabetical order) Aniket John, Gaurav Bhattacharya, Mujtaba RG, Prasun Bannerjee, and Sanjay Das.

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Visarjan | Durga Pooja | UdaipurBlog.com

Visarjan | Durga Pooja | UdaipurBlog.com

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Photos

Dusshera: Victory over the Evil symbolized at Gandhi Ground

The victory of good over evil was again symbolized at Gandhi Ground yesterday, where a huge crowd gathered in the evening to celebrate the moment. There were processions and events from the afternoon, which concluded with the entry of Ram, played by Mr. Vijay Kasturi, Lakshman played by Amit Khathuria, and Hanuman played by Kishor Lalwani entered the ground.

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The structures were standing tall at about 60 feet. There was a lot of effort done on the preparations. After the Tilak of Ram, the scene came into action with fireworks, and Hanuman set the Golden Lanka on Fire. Following this moment, Ram set the structures of Ravan, Meghnad, and Kumbhkaran on fire, with his fiery arrow. The awesome fireworks wowed the entire crowd present at the moment. The Chief guests present at the ceremony were Mrs. Rajni Dangi, Mr. Gulabchand Kataria, Dr. Girija Vyas, Mr. Raghuveer Meena, Mrs. Kiran Maheshwari, etc.

Ravan was burnt, but we all still have many evils around us, such as crime, illiteracy, poverty, etc, most prominent among them being corruption. With the burning Ravan, which symbolizes the evil, we just hope that the “trending” Ravans among us burn away from our society.

Check out the pictures below shot by Mujtaba RG

 

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Categories
Photos

[Pictures] Nine days of Navratri Finally Concluded with Zeal

Navratri means nine days of full fun, frolic, devotion, as well as enthusiasm. This year during Navratri, one had many options for enjoying the same with friends, family, or even alone. First of all, the rocking environment of Garba, or Dandiya shall not be forgotten. Huge populations have poured in huge amount of money for arranging passes and getting inside for enjoying the Garba. Here are few photographs of the Our Real Estate Dandiya Raas 2011 event by Mujtaba RG

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Other than the Garba, there was also the Durga Puja Celebration held by Bengali communities over different places in Udaipur. Devotees of Goddess Durga celebrated the Durga-ashtami on the 8th day of Navratri, majority of devotees observed fasts. The Bengalis worshipped the Goddess Durga at the Sandhi Puja with 108 lotus flowers and 108 lamps at late night, which is the Sandhi, or the joining period of the going 8th day, and the coming 9th day. The photos below show few of the rituals such as Sandhi Puja, Dhunuchi dance, etc. The Dhunuchi is a clay pot filled with burning incense; devotees of the Goddess Durga dance with these – hop across to the nearest Durga Puja pandal this evening, it’s breathtaking, and too much of fun as well. Photos are shot by Gaurav Bhattacharya, Mujtaba RG, and Prasun Bannerjee 😀

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Decoration and arrangement at Sutharwada

 

 

Cultural events being held at the pooja communities
Scene from Arti in the evening from Bindu Bhawan, Ashok Nagar
Devotees performing the Dhunuchi Dance

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Festivals Udaipur Speaks

Happy Navaratri

SARVAMANGALAMANGALYE

SHIVE SARVATHASAADHIKE,

SHARANYE TRIYAMBAKE GAURI

NARAAYANI NAMOSTUTE

Durga Mata

The nine-day festival of Navratri, , in Hindu religion devoted to the nine manifestations of Goddess Ma Durga. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season. The most important Navratri in a year is the Sharadiya Navratra which begins on the first day of the bright half of Ashvin or Ashwayuja (September-October) as per traditional Hindu calendar.

The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess Durga, the divine mother, had destroyed the evil force in the form of the demon Mahisashura during this period.

Durga, in Sanskrit means “She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach.” Goddess Durga is a form of Sakti worshiped for her gracious as well as terrifying aspect. Mother of the Universe, she represents the infinite power of the universe and is a symbol of a female dynamism. The manifestation of Goddess Durga is said to emerge from her formless essence and the two are inseparable.

She is also called by many other names, such as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali. In the form of Parvati, She is known as the divine spouse of Lord Shiva and is the mother of her two sons, Ganesha and Karttikeya, and daughter Jyoti. Destroyer of demons, she is worshiped during an annual festival called Durga puja, especially popular among Bengalis.

Her Appearance

There are endless aspects of Durga described in the Puranas and Agamas and the iconography is consequently very varied. She is usually pictured as having ten arms holding Sword, Conch, Discus, Rosary, Bell, Wine cup, Shielf, Bow, Arrow, and Spear. She is most often shown riding a lion from which comes her august name, Simhavahini, “She who stands astride the king of beasts”. She is gorgeously dressed in royal red cloth and has several ornaments decorating her personage. Her hair is dressed up in a crown (karandamukuta) which then flows out in long luxuriant tresses that are darkly luminous and soothing to the eye. The various tools reflect the eminent supremacy that helps in controlling the universe and obey her will.

Wielding Energy

Goddess Durga exists eternally, always abiding in her own sweet nature and inhabits the hearts and minds of her ecstatic devotees. As Shakti power, she shapes, nurtures, and dissolves names and forms, while as subtle spiritual energy called Kundalini, She lights the lotuses fo the seven centres of awareness in the sacred human body. Goddess Durga killed the powerful demon Mahish and all his great commanders. When demonic forces create imbalance all god unite becoming one divine force called Shakti or Durga.

First day (October 8th 2010)

The first day is devoted to the Maa Durga is called Shailputri, the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the companion of Lord Shiva.

Second Day (October 9th 2010)

The second day is dedicated to the Maa Durga is known as ‘Brahmacharini’. The name is derivative of the word ‘Brahma’, which means ‘Tapa’ or penace. She is also a form of Mata Shakti.

Third Day (October 10th 2010)

The third day is dedicated to the goddess Chandraghanta, the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.

Fourth Day (October 11th 2010)

The fourth day is dedicated to the goddess Kushmandas, the creator of the entire Universe.

Fifth Day (October 12th 2010)

The fifth day is dedicated to the Goddess Skand Mata, the mother of the chief warrior of the Gods army the Skanda

Sixth Day (October 13th 2010)

Durga Puja begins in Bengal – Saraswati Puja Avaha The sixth day is dedicated to the goddess Katyayani with three eyes and four hands.

Seventh Day (October 14th 2010)

The seventh day is dedicated to the Goddess ‘Kalratri’, meant to make the devotees fearless.

Eighth Day (October 15th 2010)

The eight day is dedicated to the Mata Rani or ‘Maha Gauri’, represents calmness and exhibits wisdom.

Ninth Day (October 16th 2010)

The ninth day is dedicated to Durga also referred as Siddhidatri. It is believed that she has all the eight siddhis and is worshipped by all the Rishis and Yogis.

Durga Festival at Udaipur:-

On the occasion of Navratri to worship goddess and celebrate festival in the form of Dandiya, there are so many places which are being set for Dandiya Ras. Most of the goddess temple like Ambamata, Neemachmata, Aavrimata, and Kalikamata has setup for Dandiya by the followers and so many other groups and mandals are there who do manage Pandal (Particular area which covered with Tents).On the ninth day of Durga Puja Havana (puja) is being done by the learn people who do follow all the rules and custom during this nine days festival.

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Maa rupena samsthita

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Shakti rupena samsthita

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Buddhi rupena samsthita

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Laxmi rupena samsthita

Namestasyai Namestasyai Namestasyai Namo Namah

Devi Ma

A Post By Monika Jain