Happy Gudi Parwa-Happy New Year!

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Hindu New Year is celebrated according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar- Panchanga. The popular name of the Hindu New Year is Vikram Samvat. In the Indian Calendar, seasons follow the sun, months follow the moon and days both sun and moon. This era of Vikram Samvat began in 57 BC. Samvatsararambh - Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Kaliyug Varsh 5111 falls on Western calendar 16th March 2010.

The beginning of the New Year begins on an auspicious note celebrate it according to the Hindu scriptures, on Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada as per the Hindu lunar calendar, as this date is glorious in all ways and it also has historical and spiritual significance. All this contributes to endowing the one celebrating it as per the Hindu scriptures with several benefits.

In our ancient literature two Navratras are mentioned one is Chaitra Navratra and second one is Sharad Navratra. Both periods are considered highly auspicious to please or worship the “Adi Shakti” goddess Durga. In North India, Chaitra Navratra begins on the first day of the bright fortnight of the solar month of Chaitra. During these Navratras goddess Durga is worshipped for material and spiritual welfare.

There is a description in Hindu mythology that Lord Rama worshiped Durga during Vasant Navratra and got the assurance from Goddess herself that he would get Sita back. Rama requested Maa Durga to bless him with her own power because one can not achieve success without her divine blessings. therefore, before killing Ravana, even Lord Rama offered his prayers in Sharad Navratras and “Adi Shakti” Durga gave him her assistance in killing Ravana.

First day is dedicated to Shailputri; second day is dedicated to Brahmcharini, third day we worship Chandrghanta. Fourth day is dedicated to Kushmanda , fifth day offer prayers to Skandmata, sixth day is allotted to Katyani . Seventh day is dedicated to Kalratri, eighth day we worship Mahagauri and ninth and last day is dedicated to Siddhidatri .

Ugadi or Gudi Parwa is the first day of Navratra it is observed as the New Year Day in South India and Maharashtra. According to Hindu belief first day of Navratras is the killing day of Kishkinda Naresh, monkey king Vali. Lord Rama killed him for his misbehave with his younger brother’s wife.

Origins of Maa Durga

MAA DURGA is a ferocious form of Devi, the Mother Goddess, the all-powerful almighty goddess. Once the Gods could not defeat the buffalo demon Mahishasur, who was threatening the existence of the universe, the Gods were afraid of this water-buffalo bull because neither Vishnu nor Shiva could prevail against him. They begged lord Shiva for his assistance, and Shiva advised all the Gods to release their shaktis as it was seemed that the joint energy of shakti was only capable of vanquishing Mahishasur.

The shaktis of the Gods emerged in female form. Which arose a splendid Goddess with many arms, she was as beautiful as she was lethal andit was the ten-armed who went out to do battle.

The Gods called this Goddess DURGA, the invincible one. MAA DURGA was born fully-grown and is depicted as exceptionally beautiful and full of rage.

Gods armed her with all their weapons. Thus armed, MAA DURGA rode to the top of a mountain on a lion. In a bloody battle, she defeated Mahishasur and his army of demons and thus saved the Universe from this demon’s menace.

Therefore, MAA DURGA is also called Mahishasuramardini (the demolisher of Mahishasur). This holy battle has come to symbolise the triumph of Good over Evil.

DURGA PUJA is observed in her honor, to celebrate her victory over evil.

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