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On
a wooden dock beside the waters of the Ganges, a priest lights
a candle, a stick of incense and rings a small brightly
polished bell. He reads from scripture, and the tree is
prepared for its short journey.
As
the dawn brightens into day, the priest leads a procession
from the riverside carrying the shrouded tree on his shoulder,
accompanied close behind by a band of drummers and trumpeters.
The
priest will lead this procession to one of the many pandals
constructed across Calcutta for the Durga Puja.
Once
inside, he will install the tree on the dias at the right side
of Sri Ganesh.
Astami
The
second day of the Durga Puja, Astami, is considered the peak
of the three day celebration, because it is on this day that
the goddess' victory over the buffalo-demon Mahish is
remembered.
Traditionally,
it is also on this day that a goat or buffalo is sacrificed.
By this ritual act, the forces of evil are vanquished here on
Earth, recalling Durga's triumph over the buffalo-demon on the
battlefields for the possession of heaven itself.
Navami
On
the morning of Navami, the third and final day of the Durga
Puja, priests begin the rituals that culminate in the
Maha-arati, a devotional offering where lamps are lit amid
great clouds of incense. Afterwards, an atmoshpere of festive
celebration pervades the pandals.
As
the day progresses, music is heard again in the pandals. But
this time it is not a devotional chant or mantra. It is music
for pleasure --- dance music with sinuous melodies and
infectious rhythmic cycles. In a way, this lively and joyous
atmosphere is yet another devotion to Durga. After all, She is
an honored guest soon to depart for another year, and it is
only fitting that she be entertained on her final evening in
the pandal. |
