Celebrate Durga Puja With Fervour In Maharashtra

Celebrate Durga Puja With Fervour In Maharashtra

Celebrate Durga Puja With Fervour In Maharashtra

As in the case of the Gujjus, the dandiya fever runs high among the Maharashtrians too. The mulgis and manus hit the celebration grounds in festive garb and dandiya sticks to sway on the beats of foot-thumping music. On the day of Vijay Dashami, the effigies of Ravana are burnt to mark the victory of good over evil.

Married ladies exchange Navratri greetings by applying haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermillion) on each others’ forehead. Buying property, making important business deals and other auspicious works are encouraged.

Navratri celebrations in Maharashtra are extremely personal and spiritual. They observe a special ritual called Ghatasthapana on the first day of Navaratri. A small bed of mud is prepared in a container. In the middle of this, an earthen pot filled with water is placed. This vessel symbolizes Goddess Durga. Grains are sown in the soil around the pot and allowed to sprout. Five stems of jowar (a food grain) are also placed over the pot. Women worship this pot for nine days by performing various rituals and offering fruits, flowers, leaves etc. The soil is regularly watered so that the seeds can germinate.

In some homes a Kali Puja is performed on the first two days. On the next three days a Lakshmi Puja and on the last four days a Saraswathi Puja are also performed in addition to Ghatasthapana. On the eighth day of the festival (Ashtami), a ‘Yajna’ (a special puja involving fire) is performed to obtain the blessings of Goddess Durga. A Ghat puja is performed on the 9th day. Afterwards, the sprouted plants are pulled from the soil. Some families invite a woman from the Matang community to their home on this day and seek her blessings. She is given food and other items. It is believed that women belonging to the Matang community are the embodiments of Goddess Matangi.

Celebrate Durga Puja With Fervour In Maharashtra

On the 10th day, Dasara or Vijayadashami, men collect the leaves of the tree Apta from the forest or farms. These leaves are called ‘sona’ (gold). Children and often adults visit the homes in the neighborhood and offer these leaves and the saplings removed from the soil to everyone present. They wish each other Happy Dasara and seek the blessings of elders. Vidyarambhan, another ritual performed on Vijayadashami, initiate young children into the world of letters. Actually, this ritual is performed in many parts of South India as well. In fact, Vidyarambam is the most important element of the Navaratri celebrations in Kerala.

Celebrate Durga Puja With Fervour In Maharashtra

In the state of Maharashtra, where the people belong to various faiths, castes and creeds but during festival time all come together and participate in the celebrations with full devotion and enthusiasm. Every new day brings the magic of a forth coming festival and Maharashtrians with their heart open, welcome these festivities which reflect the rich cultural heritage of the state in the form of customs, traditions and rituals. The spell of the festival night's reach its zenith with the added flavor of musical shows, dance programs and the melodious folk songs. In the small towns and regions of Maharashtra, the festivals are celebrated in more traditional form accompanied by many religious rituals. Come and witness the magic of the festive nights of Mumbai where the beats and rhythm make their own rule and the participants follow it stricktly.

Temples you can visit: Mumba Devi Temple in Mumbai, Vajreshwari Devi in Vajreshwari, 75 km away from Mumbai, Saptshrungi Devi in Saptshrungi, Nashik.