The Vasant Kunj Kali Mandir at Sec B-7 celebrated the Basanti (spring) Durga Puja with much fanfare from 27 to 30 March.
A large number of devotees thronged the Mandir every day to witness the Aarti, offer Pushpanjali and partake the holy Bhog-prasad.
As per the scriptures, this is the ordained Durga Puja, to be celebrated during spring over 4 days from Saptami (7th) to Dashami (10th) tithi.
However, the more popular celebration of Durga Puja happens during Sep-Oct, known mythologically as the Akaal Bodhan (unseasonal invocation of the Goddess). Legend has it that Shree Ram, during his battle with Ravana, wanted the blessings of Maa Durga though it was unseasonal. He endeavoured to collect 108 Parijat flowers from Swarg (Heaven) to infer to Maa Durga, but fell one short.
In his zeal to invoke Maa Durga, he offered one of his eyes, at which point, Maa appeared and blessed him to vanquish the evil Ravana. Since then, the Akal Bodhan is perceived as a day of victory of good over evil, and is celebrated with more gusto and pomp than the ordained spring time Durga Puja.
by Avinanda Ghosh (Saraswati Apartments, Sec D-6, 9999913402)
