Durga Puja Celebration
Mahananda Luitel
Namaste from Sha Neopaney | ||
The greater Akron Hindu Sewa Samittee (AHSS) organized Durga puja on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at 750 Tallmadge Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. A large crowd of around five hundred people – men and women, old and young, white Americans and people from other religious and cultural backgrounds took part enthusiastically in the function throughout the day. Recitation of Chandi, Holy Scriptures by priests, performing different rituals, and singing hymns and dances were some of the distinctive aspects of the program.
Although tradition of celebrating Durga puja is very common among Hindu communities worldwide, the nature of celebration differs from regions to regions and nations to nations. Every year this festival falls during lunar months of Asoj or Kartik (September- October). Generally Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies, rituals, fasts and feasts in honor of the supreme mother Goddess, Durga. It begins with the fast of Nava ratri (nine nights) and ends with the festivities of “Dusshera” or Vijaya Dashami – the triumph of good over the evil on the tenth Day and marks the defeat and death of demon king Ravana by Lord Rama in the epic, “Ramayana.”
Vijaya Dashami has social, cultural and religious importance in Hindu communities. In every family, children and grandchildren seek blessings from their parents and grandparents. Even distant relatives visit their close ones during this time. As a tradition and culture, people enjoy playing on swings, get dressed up in cultural clothing and delicious foods are served to mark the importance of the day.
|
Submit your Email. Received update and the Bhutanese Community Association of Akron, Inc Newsletter