Mahalaya

Mahalaya
Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha
Today is Mahalaya. Bengalis (originally people residing in undivided Bengal of pre Independence India, now divided into West Bengal of India and Bangladesh) around the world consider this a very auspicious day. It is the day which to invoke our dear beloved Goddess Durga to descend on earth for a trip to her maternal home, along with her 4 kids - Ganesh, Saraswati, Laxmi and Kartik. Goddess Durga is considered Durgatinashni or a vanquisher of all troubles. She is also the slayer of Mahishashura - the buffalo demon.

Mahalaya is very special for a special audio program that is broadcasted over AIR (All India Radio) year after year (precisely from 1930) from 4 AM in the morning. Termed "Mahisasura Mardini" (the lady who killed the buffalo demon) this program is a beautifully composed and rendered with Vedic slokas, songs and audio theatrics. The magical voice behind "Mahishashura Mardini" is that of Birendra Krishna Bhadra , who has passed away years but his recorded enigmatic voice continues to enthrall audience year after year. The story of "Mahishashura Mardini" revolves around how the majestic Goddess Durga armed with weapons in her 10 hands (yes she has 10 hands:)) and riding on a lion annihilated Mahishashura.

Being a Bengali, one can not miss the speciality of this day. The one day beholds great promise of days to come. Precisely after 7 days Goddess Durga will be worshipped in all its grandeur around the word and especially in Kolkata - West Bengal's capital. 7 days after, the real festival begins. One can not miss the hidden messages in the sky and the air and the smiles of the people around you. It is as if one period in the whole of the year, where we let go... Everyone lets go and everyone is encouraged to let go. Parents stop pestering children for studies, bosses stop demanding from employees,people stop worrying about health, businessmen stop worrying about money and so on.. It is absolutely fun !!! As a kid, this was best vacation and I looked forward to this time of the year. No studies, lots of new dresses (altleast 5), Pujobarshiki Anandamela (an annual big fat issue of a children's magazine devoted to Durga Puja festival) and above all a bated breath anticipation of how am I going to enjoy the upcoming 5 days of Durga Puja.

Wish you all a very happy Mahalaya, let Durgatinashini Durga descend on earth and take care of all our woes (if any) !


Comments

Suresh said…
Great info, Suji. But why didnt you tell me last evening, so that I could have tuned in to AIR for the Mahishasura Mardini, supposedly an ancient gem. Happy Navratra and Durga Puja celebrations. Called up our boss and wished him too...so that you can celebrate without any hindrance.
12:16 AM
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