Subho Mahalaya 2018-Everything You Need Is Here

Subho Mahalaya 2018 folks. It’s been a year since every Bengali’s long-awaited festive season arrived. Happy Durga Puja.

Durga Puja is unconventional worship period of Devi Durga. Durga Puja on general, or say the conventional worship is Basanti Puja. Which takes place in Spring. Basant means spring in Bengali.

According to our epic, The Ramayana, Durga Puja celebrated in unconventional time.  Let’s dive deep into it.

Real soon we will celebrate Happy New Year too. Check out our posts related to Happy New Year 2019.

Akalbodhan- In Mahalaya Season- Historic Background

Well, let’s dive deeper into it. Let’s explore more about this.

Meaning of the Term “Akalbodhan”

Akalbodhan is a word composed of two Sanskrit Terms. Akal and Bodhan. The word Akal means untimed (a=not and kaal=time) and the word Bodhan means to worship. Thus, Akalbodhan means worship of Durga in an uncustomary time. Spring is the conventional time for Durga Puja. In Sanskrit, Basant is Spring. This is why Durga Puja is Basanti Puja in its conventional time.

Background according to Legends

According to the Ramayana, Rama goes to Lanka to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana. Ravana was Demon king of Lanka.  Rama wanted the blessings of Devi Durga before starting for his battle with Ravana. Meanwhile, he comes to know Devi Durga would only be pleased if she is worshipped with 108 Neel Kamal (blue lotuses).

Lord Rama travelled around the world. Even after his long adventure, Rama could gather only one hundred and seven of them. Rama realised Devi Durga won’t be pleased without exact 108 count Blue Lotus. Lord Rama’s eyes resembled Lotus. Rama decides to offer his own eye instead. Durga pleased with the devotion of Rama. She appeared before him and blessed him.

The battle started on the Saptami (Seventh Day from Subho Mahalaya) and Ravana was finally defeated on the crossover period between Ashtami (8th Day from Subho Mahalaya) and Navami (9th day from Subho Mahalaya). Finally on the 10th day, Dashami, Rama achieved long-deserved victory over evil.

So, as we see that Rama, though in non-conventional time, worshipped Devi Durga and got the victory, Durga Puja is celebrated as Akalbodhan.

Some Sources are from Wiki.

Mahishasura Mardini

Mahishasura, a lord of Demon. He was born from the belly of a Buffalo, thus got he name Mahishasura. Mahish refers to Buffalo.

Diti and Aditi

According to Vedas, Diti and Aditi were two sisters. Both of whom married sage Kashyapa.

After marriage, Aditi gave birth to gods. Whereas Diti gave birth to demons. Ashura was a native to the demon world.

Blessing of Ashura

Mahishasura after a long meditation, impressed gods. He received gifts that No Male can defeat him in battle.

This way Ashura overpowered all gods.

Devi Durga

After seeing these devastations of Mahishasura, all gods went to Durga for help. They all combined their strength and made Devi Durga stronger.

After a long fight, finally Gods, lead by Devi Durga overpowers Demons.

Peace had returned.

But Demons keep coming back each year and Devi Durga defeats them each year.

On the day of Subho Mahalaya, Devi Durga Sets her journey back to his father’s home. Stay there for following days and finally returns back on 10th day, called Maha Dashami.

The significance of Subho Mahalaya

Subho Mahalaya 2018 folks.

Devi Durga, Devi Parvati all are believed to be different forms of the same goddess.

Devi Parvati on this day of Subho Mahalaya, she sets her journey from his husband Lord Shiva’s home to her father’s home. She stays in her father’s home for following days and returns back on the 10th day, Maha Dashami.

Well, Devi Durga has some sophisticated Vahans too. Vahan in Sanskrit means Vehicle. Well, sophisticated is not always what it seems. Each of her four vehicles has some special features too.

Let’s find it out now.

Elephant

Elephant is one of the four Vahans, that is vehicle or means of transportation that Devi Durga prefers.

This Vahan brings Peace and Prosperity. So in the year where Devi Durga arrives home on Elephant ride, that year she brings a lot of peace, prosperity and harmony with her.

Boat

Maa Durga, in the year where she comes back home with a boat, she brings flood with her. This is a year which will have to face a lot of rainfall and floods. Well, after a flood, we have a good harvest.

Palanquin

Do you know what is a Palanquin?

Palanquin is an ancient vehicle among Bengalis. Which is also known as Palki in some language.

In this, one small compartment usually decorated, is carried out by occasionally 4 strong men. This was a popular transportation back in a few centuries.

A VIP is escorted in the decorated compartment. Usually a king or queen or some landlords.

Now during Subho Mahalaya season, when Devi Durga arrives home riding on a Palanquin, this signifies epidemic outreach.

During this phase, if peoples stand united then they can overcome any hardship. But if they do not cooperate with each other, the epidemic could cause severe damage.

Horse

While riding on a horseback, it signifies devastation.

In the year when Devi Durga comes home riding on a Horse or Turang, she brings a lot of misfortune and devastation with her. This phase is probably a tough time to tackle.

One the Day of Subho Mahalaya Morning 2018

On the Day of Subho Mahalaya Morning, here is a list to do.

1.Wake up early

By early, it means real soon. Around 4 AM or so.

Well if you are an early peep, this won’t bother you. But for all night owls, this is an important day of the year. You need to get up soon and enjoy this awesome experience on Subho Mahalaya 2018 morning.

2.Listen out to Radio or FM, Mahishasura Mardini

On this day of Subho Mahalaya 2018, as soon you turn on Radio or FM, you will hear amazing chantings. Being a Bengali, I enjoyed this myself even when I was just a few years old.

These sounds purify the mind. We start feeling so good.

Birendra Krishna Bhadra is the Legendary artist of Mahishasura Mardini for Subho Mahalaya. On this morning of Subho Mahalaya 2018, you must listen to his orations. You will easily find these over youtube.

3.TV shows on Mahishasura Mardini

One the morning of Subho Mahalaya 2018, or on any consequent year you will find tv shows displaying all heroic acts of Devi Durga. How demon Ashuras prevailed over Gods. Then how Devi Durga received immense power from other gods. After receiving such power, she finally defeated Demon King Ashura.

On the day of Subho Mahalaya each year, she comes back to parent’s home.

Subho Mahalaya 2018 Quotes and Images

“Sarva Mangala Mangalye Sive Sarvartha Sadhike

Saranye Trayambike Gauri Narayani Namostute”

“Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shanti rupena sangsthita

Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha”