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Durga Puja |
Durga
Puja the most important religious
festival of Bengali Hindus, celebrates the return
of the goddess to her natal home. In other parts
of India as well, Durga is worshipped, but under
different names. For example, in Kashmir she is
worshipped as Amva, in the Deccan as Amvika, as
Hingula and Rudrani in Gujrat, as Uma in Bihar and
as Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Celebrations outside
Bengal are, however, on a minor note.
Durga does not belong to the Vedic pantheon, but
is a later goddess. She is also known as Adyashakti,
Mahamaya, Shivani, Bhavani, Dashabhuja, Singhavahana
etc. The goddess came to be known as Durga after
killing a demon named Durgo or Durgam. She is also
called Durga because she brings an end to all forms
of misery.
The best known story of Durga is that of her defeating
the demon Mahisasur, who could not be killed by
any male because of a blessing he had received fromBRAHMA.
Knowing that the gods could not renege on the boon
they had granted, Mahisasur fought the gods and
threw them out of their abode. The gods and goddesses
appealed to VISHNU for help. On Vishnu's advice,
each god gave up one of his qualities and weapons
to Durga. Armed with their weapons and imbued with
their qualities, Durga fought and killed Mahisasur.
Consequently she is also known as Mahisamardini.
There are detailed discussions about Durga in Kalivilasatantra,
Kalikapurana, Devibhagavata, Mahabhagavata, Vrhannandikeshvarapurana,
Durgabhaktitarangini, Durgotsavaviveka, Durgotsavatattva.
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Kali
Puja
Kali Puja
Hindu religious festival, particularly of the
Shakta community. Kali is the first of the ten
female energies of SHIVA (the third god of the
Hindu Triad). Much information about her is given
in different PURANAs. Kali has many aspects, known
variously as Daksin, Siddha, Guhya, Bhadra, Shmashan,
Raksa and Mahakali. As Daksinakalika, Kali appears
in her most fearsome aspect and is the most widely
worshipped. In this aspect, she is shown as dark,
four-armed and wearing a string of human heads
with blood still dripping from them. She is three-eyed,
with one eye in the centre of her forehead. She
stands on the chest of Shiva and is encircled
by his worshippers.
According to legend, Kali was born from the body
of Bhagavati. The gods had been defeated by the
demons. In answer to their prayers, the goddess
Kausiki appeared from the body of Bhagavati. Kausiki
assumed a dark appearance and was named Kali (dark)
or Kalika. She then slaughtered the two demons
Shumbha and Nishumbha. Kali is known as Chamunda,
because she also killed two of the followers of
demons, Chanda and Munda.
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The
Christmas
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About
that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be
taken throughout the Empire. This was the first
census when Quirinius was the governor of Syria.
Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be accounted
for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth
up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's hometown, for
the census. As a decendant of David he had to go
there. He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to
give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn.
She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the hostel.
There were shepherds camping in
the neighborhood. They had set night watches over
their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them
and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here
to announce a great and joyful event that is meant
for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been
born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and
Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby
wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by
a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory
to God in the heavenly heights; Peace to all men
and women on earth who please Him."
As the angel choir withdrew into
heaven, the shepherds talked it over. "Let's
get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see
for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and
the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing.
They told everyone they met what the angels had
said about this child. All who heard the shepherds
were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself,
holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds
returned and let loose, glorifying and praising
God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned
out exactly the way they'd been told! ~ Luke 2:1-20
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Buddha
Purnima |
Buddha
Purnima the main religious festival of the Buddhist
community, observed on Baishakhi purnima, the day
of the full moon in Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May).
Three important events in the life of Buddha are
believed to have occurred on this day: his birth
in 623 BC, his gaining enlightenment in 588 BC,
and his death in 543 BC.
According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha, after his
previous incarnation as Santos Kumar, was living
in paradise. He was asked by the gods to take rebirth
as a human being for the salvation of the world
and to show human beings as well as the gods the
road to bliss. He considered the gods' request and,
on the day of the full moon in Asadh (mid-June-mid-July),
he entered his mother's womb through a dream. He
was born on the following auspicious Baisakhi purnima.
As Siddhartha, he renounced his family at the age
of 29 and travelled and meditated in search of truth.
After meditating for six years at Urubela (Buddhagaya)
in Gaya, he attained Buddhatva or enlightenment.
According to Buddhist tradition, the day of his
enlightenment was also a full moon day in Baisakh,
or Baisakhi purnima.
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