Post Event Release : NORTHBOMBAY SARBOJANIN DURGA PUJA SAMITIS MAHA ASHTAMI PUJA

 NORTHBOMBAY SARBOJANIN DURGA PUJA SAMITIS MAHA ASHTAMI PUJA

Post Event Release

                                            NORTH BOMBAY SARBOJANIN DURGA PUJA SAMITIS 

  MAHA ASHTAMI PUJA   

Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Kajol along with her son Yug, Ayan Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra visited North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja  Pandal to seek the blessings of Maa also present from the Mukherjee family were Debu Mukherjee and Sharbani Mukherjee

 Richa Sharma and Nikita Gandhi performed live & entertained the audience with his classic numbers. 

 The AC pandal serves 5000 devotees each day with the special bhog being made and served to all the visitors by the Mukherjee family personally and the committee members. 

There will be performances by a variety of renowned Bollywood artists in the evening including cultural and traditional.

There will be stalls from all over the country exhibiting traditional sarees, outfits designer wear and authentic delicacies. Dhaki troupe especially comes from Kolkata to perform. Dhunuchi Dance & Sindur Khela is the highlight

  Maa's protima is 17.5 ft tall & 30 ft broad which makes it one of the tallest protima's in Mumbai.   

The Footfall every day is more than 5000.

The festival of Durga Puja is colored with devotional zeal, mythological legends, detailed rituals, extravagant pandals and magnificent tableaus of the divine Mother Goddess coming with her children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati from Kailash to Dharti (her parent's home). As the festival of Maa Durga is approaching, the members of North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2019 brings one of the oldest and the biggest Durga Puja in Mumbai to seek the blessings of Maa Durga.

The members of North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2019 unanimously believe “Our puja is well known as a "GHARUA PUJA" which means all are welcome to become a part of our puja family... we believe in serving Bhog to all who come to seek blessings of Maa Durga. Our members are actively involved in serving the Bhog.  These few days are days of bonding and celebrations amongst all of us, along with getting an opportunity to wear traditional attire.It is a Sarbojanin puja so all are welcome to be a part of this family. Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals of Bengali. Its an occasion where the family comes together and celebrates the festival. We have an AC pandal which is one of the largest pandal in Mumbai. We welcome each & everyone with an open heart to seek the blessings of Maa"

Durga Puja is celebrated from Shasti to Bijoya Dashami

MAHASHASHTI: On this day,  Maa is welcomed with much fanfare. In the evening ,the Kulo is decorated with Paan, Sindur, Alta, Sheela (stone) , Dhaan, etc..and amidst the beats of Dhaka and sound of Shaankh, Maa is welcomed...  This is called Amontron and Adhivas -Maa's Bodhon...Maa is being welcomed.

MAHASAPTAMI: On  this day the Kalash (Earthen Pot) is placed with a green Coconut  and  Mango  Leaves .  This is surrounded on all sides by a red thread and tied. This is called KALASH STHAPAN. The Kalash is an earthen Pot because Maa's Murti is made of Ganga clay and Maa's PRAAN (or life) is concentrated in the Pot. So the Pot is the symbol of Maa.  The  Puja  starts  with  praying  to  Ganapati  ,  followed  by  prayers  to  Maa.  Another name of Maa Durga is NABA PATRIKA, which means nine trees i.e.Banana tree, Kochu tree, Haldi tree, Jayanti tree, Branch of Bel tree, Dalim tree ( pomegranate) are tied together. The double Bel fruit is tied to the Banana tree. This is then taken to a riverbank or sea and given a bath. When it is brought back it is drapped in a white and red sari with sindur and it now looks like a married lady with her head covered. This is called KOLA BAHU. Many have a misconception that KOLA BAHU is the wife of Ganapati but actually, she is MaaDurga or Naba Patrika. Ganapati's mother 

MAHA SNAN: On this day Maa Durga is given a bath. First, a vessel is placed in front of the Murti; a mirror is kept in the vessel so that the reflection of Maa is seen in the mirror. The   Priest applies Haldi and Mustard oil on the mirror, as though they are applying it on Maa before the bath. In earlier times when there was no soap, Haldi and mustard oil were used for having a bath. The Pujari puts different kinds of water, i.e. Coconut water, Chandan, Ganga Jal, Sugar cane juice, water from seven holy seas to give her bath. During this time, mud from every region, as well as mud from Prostitute’s door is very essential. After bath the Pujari puts dhaan- durba and new sari with Maa’s name written on the mirror which is then placed on the Bedi (the place of worship).

PRAN PRATISTHA: This means bringing life into the mirror.  The Pujari takes Kusha and flowers in the right hand, and touches Maa from head to foot and with Mantra Path life is brought into the Murti, Mirror, and Kalash.

MAHA AGAMAN: Every year Maa comes either on a Palki or an Elephant or a Boat or a Dola (Swing), or a Horse, etc. 

This Bengali year 1423, Goddess Durga's arrival on a horse signifies, indicates the "bad horse"- The most destructive mood, hence all her path is trampled. The Goddess arrives & leaves the earth on the same vehicle, indicating natural calamities, social unrest, and political upheavals. Maa Durga's agaman- is on the horse & gaman - on a horse. 

Welcome :

The puja to welcome Maa is done with 16 items- Ashan  Swagatam [ Welcome ], Paddyo [ Water  To  Wash The  Feet ], Argho, Achmoniyom, Madhu Parkam , Purnar Achmaniyam, Abharan [ Shringar], Sindoor, Gandha [ Scent ], Pushpa[ Flower],  Pushpa Mallya [ Garland] , Billo Patra [Bel Leaf] , Billopatra Mala[ Garland Of Bel Leaf], Dhoop,Deep, Kajal, Naibiddo, Bhog And Mishti [Sweet], Paan, Supari.

PUSHPANJALI [PRAYER OFFERING]: Puspanjali means offering prayers at Maa’s feet to give everyone a long life, fame, good luck, health, wealth, happiness. The devotees request Maa to protect them from all evil, sadness, greed & temptations.

MAHA ASHTAMI PUJA: Maa is now Maha Gauri- The Puja starts with Mahasnan & Maha Gauri puja. The Puja is done to give Maa the strength of the 64 Yoginis. This is a Puja of 9 pots. Then the weapons of Maa are worshiped.

SHANDHI PUJA: This is the puja when Ashtami Puja ends and Navami Puja begins, so the name Shandhi puja. This is considered to be the most vital time, meeting (sandhi)of Ashtami and Navami puja. The duration of this Puja is 45 minutes. At this moment  Maa is CHAMUNDA. 

Pushpanjali: Prayer offering. Bhog is offered which consists of fruits and sweets are offered to Maa, followed by  "NEET  BHOG" , consisting of  Rice, Ghee, Dal, Fried Vegetables, Chutney and Payesh.  This prasad is later distributed amongst the devotees which are called KANGALI bhajan. 

At this time 108 diyas are lit and 108 lotus are offered to Maa. 

There is a famous story that Lord Ram prayed to Maa Durga offering 108 lotus at her feet in order to defeat Ravan. But to his surprise he found one lotus missing, to replace it , he wanted to sacrifice his eye and pray to Maa..at that moment Maa appeared in front of him and stopped him..returning the missing lotus to him.  She then blessed him for his " VICTORY". 

MAHA NAVAMI PUJA : On this day, Maa is SIDDHI DHATRI. This Puja starts with  Ganapati Puja and then puja of all the other DEV and DEVIS are performed..followed by Maha Snan of Maa.

BIJOYA DASHAMI:- On this day Maa had defeated and killed Mahishashur.

DEVI PUJA:- Bhog with curd, honey and milk is offered to Maa.. this is called CHARANAMRIT. The pujari sitting on the Asan takes a flower near the sacred pot and keeps it in the Northern direction because Maa is from KAILASH.

Then the pujari takes the sacred mirror which was on the vessel and performs the ritual of Visharjan. This is the same mirror that was used to welcome Maa because her reflection is in the mirror.

SINDUR  UTSAV: The married ladies apply sindur on Maa's forehead and offer sweets after which all the other ladies apply sindur on each other's forehead. This is followed by  KANAK ANJALI when Maa is departing back to her husband's abode.

VISHARJAN:- During the Visharjan of the Murti, all the devotees either go to a river bank or sea and immerse the Murti in the water.

SHANTI JAL: - The sacred pot is brought back from the river/sea filled with the water where the Murti is immersed. Then the pujari chants the Mantra and sprinkles water with the help of mango leaves on the head of all the devotees for peace and happiness.

DASSERA: This is the day of rejoicement,where youngsters touch the feet of their elders seeking their blessings and sweets are distributed. 

North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti  is the only Durga Puja Samiti which performs the visarjan with the help of  fork lift and crane. The idols  are  lifted from the truck and then taken till the middle of the sea with the help of a crane . After the seven parikramas  are performed,they are then finally immersed one by one into the sea.