Sakchi Durga Bari ushers in 85^th Basanti Utsav

Shasthi Puja on March 27

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, March 25:  According to religious texts, the initial Durga Puja was performed by the just and kind ruler, Raja Surath during the Basant Ritu (Spring Season) in the month of Chaitra (March) and hence also came to be known as Chaitra Durga Puja. The Vedas have defined that the month of Chaitra is the original period of the Mother’s journey to earth to visit Her mortal children.

Later, much later, Lord Rama, in his haste to overpower Ravana and free Devi Sita from his clutches, performed Ma Durga’s puja in October that required an untimely invitation to the Mother (Akaal Bodhon). However, Durgotsav, initiated by Lord Rama, is more popular in spite of the fact that the Devi, worshipped by King Surath as Chaitra Durga remains the more authentic of the two Pujas. Thus, the prayer rituals and forms of Devi Basanti and Ma Durga are same. It may also be quoted from authentic versions that devotees perform Basanti Puja to rid themselves of the mistakes committed during performance of Durga Puja.

Navratri is celebrated four times a year among which, the ones observed during Basanti Puja in March and the other in October during Durgotsav are more prominent. The Navratri festival in March is also known as Ramnavami. That is why, the ninth day, Navami Puja of Goddess Basanti coincides with the culmination of Navratri rituals.

Sakchi Durga Bari waqs established in 1923, but until the permanent Mandir was built in Chenab Road, Durga Puja used to be organized at Dhalbhum Road. The Sakch Durga Bari construction came up in 1935, courtesy, TISCO Ltd (now Tata Steel) and the Durga Bari managing committee decided to organize Basanti Puja from that very year. This annual tradition enters its 85^th year when Basanti Utsav will be organized this year, 2023. Sashthi Puja will be performed on Friday, March 27.

The only difference in the otherwise common Basanti and Durga Puja rituals is that in the latter case, Ma Durga’s Akaal Bodhan calls for inviting the Mother with Bel fruit (wood nut) and leaves.

Although growing popular through time, Basanti Puja is organized at fewer places as compared to Durgotsav. Yet, devotion to the two forms of Ma Durga continues unabated. Chenab Road’s Sakchi Durga Bari General Secretary, Shantanu Basu said, “We organize Basanti and Durga Pujas as also other Hindu Utsavs with equal devotion. We have large crowds especially on the occasions of Basanti and Durga Pujas and devotee line up awaiting their turn to offer Pushpanjali and partake of the Mother’s consecrated food (Bhog). We ensure a peaceful atmosphere during these periods so that devotees can concentrate on their prayers.”