"Devi" is the Hindu concept of the Ultimate Mahashakti or the ultimate power inherent in all Creation and is the original creator, observer and destroyer of the whole universe. Today's Scientist call her Supreme Intelligence or Sacred Energy,
"Durga" is the most popular incarnation of Devi - Goddess Adya Shakti Mahamaya, who acquired this name after killing the demon "Durgamaasura".
Devi Stuti & Pratah Smaranam
The most popular practise of performing Durga Puja (The Sacred Rituals of Worshiping Goddess Durga) now a days is the Sharadiya Durga Puja and Navaratri initiated by Lord Rama in the month of Aswinya ( Autumn - Sharat or Sharad) as an Akalbodhan ( Akal = Untimely and Bodhan = Awakening ) of Goddess Durga. Whereas the Basantika Durga Puja is believed to be the most ancient Durga Puja initiated by King Suratha in the month of Chaitra (Spring - Basanta or Vasanta) much earlier than the Sharadiya Durga Puja and Navaratri.
The legend in Markanda Puran states that King Surath had lost his kingdom and wandered in the forests where he met Samadhi Vaishya who also had lost kingdom. In the jungle, they met Medha Muni who on request suggested them to perform Basanti Durga Puja to get back their lost kingdoms. King Surath and Samadhi Vaishya, thus, performed Basanti Puja and got back their kingdoms. This started the ritual of performing Basanti Durga in Basant season or Chaitra Month. Whereas the Shardiya Puja is said to have first performed by Lord Rama to seek Goddess Durga’s blessings for defeating Ravana. Since then, due to popularity of lord Rama, his devotees started celebrating Durga Puja in Sharad season or Aswinya Month.
The rituals of Basanti Puja are similar to those of Shardiya Durga Puja. The only difference is in the ‘Ghat’ (Kalash or earthern/metal pot) for ‘Bodhan’ (awakening Goddess Durga) is not used in Sashti puja because this puja is performed on time when it is meant to be done. ‘Akal Bodhan’ or ‘untimely awakening of Durga’ is done on Sashti during Shardiya Durga Puja.
Navadurga, are the nine forms of Durga collectively worshipped by Shakti devotees. Scriptures differ in naming the nine incarnations. Pictures and paintings of the Nava-Durga also varies from region to region. The most widely accepted account of the nine forms of Durga is the one found in the Devi Mahatmya – Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidaatri.
Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth. This is done through the chanting of mantras and singing devotional songs.
The rituals of Basanti Puja are similar to those of Shardiya Durga Puja. The only difference is in the ‘Ghat’ (Kalash or earthern/metal pot) for ‘Bodhan’ (awakening Goddess Durga) is not used in Sashti puja because this puja is performed on time when it is meant to be done. ‘Akal Bodhan’ or ‘untimely awakening of Durga’ is done on Sashti during Shardiya Durga Puja.
The Famous Musical Narration of Mahisasura Mardini by the Legend
Shri Birendra Krishna Bhadra
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