Significances Of the Arrival & Departure of Maa Durga in Different Carriers Each Year

Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsav or Sharadotsav, is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami,Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijayadashami. The whole of India and specifically the eastern states of India are decked up in finery and decorations to welcome the Mother Goddess. This period falls during the fortnight corresponding to the festival called Devi Paksha. Devi Paksha is preceded by Mahalaya, the last day of the previous fortnight Pitri Paksha, and is ended on Kojagori Lokkhi Puja.

Maa Durga’s arrival and departure (on Vijaya Dashami) are considered very significant as her mode of transport on both days indicates the fate of the days ahead. As per Hindu beliefs, Maa Durga changes her mode of transportation; besides Lion, who is her vital mount, she has four other vahans- elephant, horse, boat and palanquin.

Which mode will be used for arrival and departure is decided based on the day of the week or the day of Ghatasthapana (Onset of Durga Puja) and Vijaya Dashami (Durga Visarjan) i.e., the first day and the last day.

To begin with, about the religious intricacies of Durga Vahan and what they symbolise and how is the choice of vahans decided. Each day of the week has been assigned with a vahan. Depending on the day of the week that she arrives, vahan of her choice will be.

दिनशशिसूर्य गजरुढा शनिभौमै तुरंगमे।

गुरौशुक्रेचदोलायां बुधे नौकाप्रकीर्तिता॥

गजेशजलदा देवी क्षत्रभंग तुरंगमे।

नौकायां कार्यसिद्धिस्यात्दोलायों मरणधु्रवम्॥

Monday, Sunday – Elephant

Saturday, Tuesday – Horse

Thursday, Friday – Palanquin (Palki)

Wednesday – Boat

An elephant is a good omen, signifying the year will be one of happiness and full of joy. The harvest will be good and plentiful. Hard work shall reap very good results. Luck will be favourable and life will be filled with blessings and good tidings.

Boat means of water transport is a good omen, but the results may not be had for a long time. It foretells good harvest and floods. While floods may seem to be a bad omen at first glance, floods also bring fertile soil which ensures a prosperous harvest.

Palanquin is a bad omen and foretells the outbreak of an epidemic. It reflects hard times lie ahead and that humans need to stand united in this hour of need. The horse is seen as a means of destruction as it is the main animal used in wars or battles.

Choosing a horse as the vahan for arrival or departure spells doom for the world. The devotees of Mother Durga pray to her to make the destruction and impending doom bearable during Navratri.

If Goddess Durga chooses the same vahan for both her arrival and departure, it is considered to be a bad omen.

For example, this year, Mother Durga is arriving on a Monday, the start of Navratri. The animal specified is an elephant. Navratri is ending on a Wednesday; thus, she shall depart on a boat. May Maa Durga provide us with the strength, wisdom, and courage to overcome all obstacles in life.