The Arrival (Agomoni)

The autumn sky (shoroter akaash) with cotton specks of cloud, the catkin/kans grass (kash phool) bushes quivering in the gentle wind, the drums beating (dhanker awaaz) murmuring in our ear, gives a feeling that our most popular festival is knocking on our doorsteps. Uma is coming from heaven to visit her parents on Earth along with her son (Kartik, Ganesh) and daughters (Laxmi, Saraswati).

Our hearts are filled with joy as we welcome our mother and cousins to our very own motherland, where they'll spend a few days with us. Although it is a heaven-sorrow, yet it is felt that this is the most joyous occasion for the entire Bengali clan on Earth. It is not an exception for the Nordic Bengali Association in Stockholm, which is extremely happy to welcome our beloved Durga Maa along with her children to celebrate the most auspicious and grand festival of Bengalis.

The occasion will be filled with fun, merriment, and laughter, with people from the Indian diaspora joining the festival, which will be spread over three days, from September 26th to 28th, in Sollentuna, Stockholm. The festive time heralds the Devi Paksha (Fortnight of the Goddess or Goddess Period), spread over fifteen days in the Hindu calendar dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Durga.

The occasion of Mahalaya heralds the onset of Devi Paksha. Mahalaya proclaims the descent of Mother Durga to bestow Her blessings during Durga Puja. It marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha. It is believed that during this time, the Gods are awake in heaven. During Mahalaya Amavasya, people offer prayers to their ancestors at early dawn. The ritual is called Shraddh or Tarpan. Devi Paksha falls in the Ashwin month (September-October) when the moon is waxing, according to the traditional Hindu Lunar calendar. It is believed that Mother Durga begins her journey to the earth on Devi Paksha. The idols of Mother Durga get ready for Durga Puja during Devi Paksha.

It is noteworthy that Mother Durga's (Durga statue) eyes are drawn on the Mahalaya, which is called Chakshu Daan. Mahalaya and Devi Paksha set the fervent mood for Durga Puja. It is the day when people roll up their sleeves to take up the preparatory measures necessary for Durga Puja. Durga Puja was observed initially during the month of Chaitra, or the spring season, on Basant Panchami.

However, with Lord Rama worshipping Mother Durga during the Autumn season to seek her blessings just before her battle with Ravana, Durga Puja came to be observed during this season. Hence, the festival also acquired the name Akaal Bodhon or untimely welcome owing to the untimely welcome of Mother Goddess.

Spiritual Significance: Devi Paksha falling on Mahalaya is a reminder to prepare oneself for the subjugation of the ego during Durga Puja. It instils the spirit of surrender through its preparatory means, offering oneself to Mother Durga for the final destruction of the ego. The Mother strikes the ego of the surrendered soul to bless it with the bounty of eternal bliss of self-conviction. Let us thus surrender to the Mother to realise the bliss of the being. Therefore, let us spend three days having fun and frolic with our friends and families, wearing our traditional clothes, cherishing our art & culture, while spreading the message of peace, love, and brotherhood among all. Let us pray and seek blessings from Maa Durga, the supreme Goddess…"Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu, Shakti Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namah".