The azure sky and the feathery white clouds spread across, chilly breeze in the morning with the sign of dew on cars [as a kid had seen it on grass] and sweet smell of sheuli flower [while petals with orange stalk]. Waves in Kash flower on fields [those who had watched Pather Panchali by Satyajit Ray would know this flower] all make me to get nostalgic. And my ears impatiently wait to hear – ‘Rupang dehi / Jayang dehi / Yasho dehi / Dwisho yahi’…
And then ... I hear ...
Ya Devi svarbhabhuteshu Shaktirupena sangstitha |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaH ||
Ya Devi svarbhabhuteshu Matrirupena sangstitha |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaH ||
Ya Devi svarbhabhuteshu Shantirupena sangstitha |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaH ||
Chanting of this mantra signifies Mahalaya, announcing the arrival of Maa Durga [the goddess of supreme power] on Earth.
It is only from the day of Mahalaya that the preparations for the Durga Puja reach the final stage. The act of ‘Chokhhoo Daan’ [drawing the eyes] on idle is done on this auspicious day of Mahalaya, observed seven days before the Durga Puja. It's a the invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth.
In the dark night of amavasya (new moon), people pray to Goddess Durga to arrive Earth to ward off all evils. On this auspicious day, people pray for the departed soul in family and take holy dip in the river Ganga - the act being called Tarpan.
On the dawn of Mahalaya, the sound of immortal Chandipath - in the recorded voice of late Birendra Krishna Bhadra over AIR [All India Radio] has become synonymous to the real Chandipath. Chandipath narrates that Durga is the ancient source of power with all qualities in her. She is one and yet known by many names - Narayani, Brahmani, Maheshwari, Shivaduti and fierceful Chamunda, Chandika is eternal. She is believed to be a symbol of majestic might only to restore the process of creation from the asuras or evil incarnates. This also depicts her fight with Mahishasura.
It is believed Mahalaya is the day when Goddess Durga starts her journey from her husband’s abode in Kailash in the Himalayas to her mother’s place accompanied by her children.
Here come Mahalaya wishes to all & I get to see my wait for the festive season is over. It is not far to hear the sound of dhaak !!!