Durga puja is celebrated in the autumn months of September/October. According to the Hindu solar calendar, it falls on the first nine days of the month of Ashvin. Most of the religions follow either a solar calendar or a lunar calendar. For the Hindus, it is a combination of both. The days are counted on the basis of sun rise and sun set. But timings of all religious functions are based on the lunar month. The lunar month is divided into two halves, the full moon phase and the new moon phase.
Accordingly the religious functions of the Hindu Bengalis are scheduled in sync with the timings of the moon's movement, better known as 'Tithhi'. The schedule of Durga Puja is also framed on the basis of the 'Tithhi'. The Devi Paksha or the fortnight in which the Puja falls sets in with the auspicious of the Mahalaya, which falls on the New moon. Mahalaya heralds the homecoming of the Mother Goddess as the tunes of Agamani fill the air.
The four days of Pujas start from the sixth day of the full moon phase that follows the Mahalaya and ends up with the Dashami or the tenth day. Thus Dashami is four days short of the full moon night, called Kojagori Purnima. For, it is on this pious night the Kojagori Laxmi Puja is performed by most of the Bengali households.
Devi Paksha
Devi Paksha falls in the Ashwin month (September-October) when the moon is waxing, according to the traditional Hindu Lunar calender. It is believed that Mother Durga begins Her journey to the earth on Devi Paksha. The idols of Mother Durga gets ready for Durga Puja during Devipaksha. It is to be noted that Mother Durga's (Durga statue) eyes are drawn on the Mahalaya, which is called 'Chakshu Daan'. Mahalayaand Devi Paksha set the fervent mood for Durga Puja.
Durga Puja in the beginning was observed during the month of Chaitra or the spring season during Basant Panchami. However with Lord Rama worshipping Mother Durga during the Autumn season to seek Her blessings just before His battle with Ravana, Durga Puja came to be observed during this season. Hence the festival also acquired the name 'Akhaal Bodhan' or 'Untimely welcome' owing to the untimely welcome of Mother Goddess.
There are aliens among us!
UFOs, Celestial Beings, Angels. Dark Forces?
WHO ARE THEY?
Is something or somebody willing life into existence? It it Chaos or is all Clockwork? Who started that clock? Everything including us humans runs on a clock. Where do we find out about all these clocks?
WHO AM I?
Can any religion answer that? Is god one or many? Is it possible to see him, or do we just see his invisible hands working? WHO should I worship?
WHAT AM I? What makes me think, and breathe and act, be mean or kind? WHO creates and controls my thoughts? Me? Who is Me? Is it this Body or is it my Mind? Or my Brain or my Heart?
It would be egoistic to say its ME, akin to saying I am controlling myself, which would imply that I am my own god. But then I don't control others, so I am not their god. But when I do affect others goodly, then I'm a god for them but when I affect others negatively then I guess I'm the negative dark force for them. Hence I am both. Hence it's all me n me n me....I AM THAT.
WHAT AM I.
I AM WHAT.
THAT THOU ART.
TAT TWAM ASI.
AHAM BRAHMASI.