“Akaal Bodhan”

A question in the Q/A section gave me the idea for this blog. Being a mythology buff, I love reading such little, interesting stories about Gods and Godesss. Whether you consider these events as history or mythology is upto you. I will be frequently using the word mythology to refer to this genre as is the norm.

Navaratras or Durga puja was originally celebrated in the Spring season, hence it was called the Chaitra Navaratri.(I’ve heard people saying that there are 4 Navaratris but I’m aware of only 2). Chaitra Navaratri is still widely celebrated in Bengal. Now, the question arises, then why do we usually celebrate Navaratri in the the month of October (Ashwin month). This Navaratri, celebrated in October, is called “Akaal Bodhan”. Akaal means untimely and bodhan means invoking or awakening. Here’s the story that will provide the answer to your question:

It is well known that King Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. But Ravana had also managed to please Goddess Parvati with his devotion and penance. So, Goddess Parvati had blessed Ravana with the boon that he would be victorious in every war he will ever fight. As a result, when Lord Ram went to battle against Ravana to save Maa Sita, he started losing at first. Lord Ram then came to know about Goddess Parvati’s boon and became worried. He knew he had to invoke Devi’s grace to win this fight, but customarily Devi’s puja took place in the month of Chaitra. Lord Ram sought Lord Bramha’s guidance. Lord Brahma laid down the rituals for this untimely invocation of Devi. According to the rituals a 108 Neel kamal (blue lotus) flowers were required to appease Devi. Lord Hanuman as usual set out to bring the flowers and came back with exactly 108 flowers. Lord Ram sat for the puja and while offering the flowers realised that there was a shortage of 1 flower. Devi had purposefully removed that 1 flower with her maya to test Lord Ram. Seeing no other option, Lord Ram decided to carve one of his eyes out as an offering because he remembered that his mother used to say, his eyes were lotus like. As soon as Lord Ram took out his arrow and touched his eye, Devi Durga appeared before him. Lord Ram prostrated in front of Devi and sought Her blessings to win the fight. Pleased with his devotion, Devi blessed him and disappeared.

We all know what happened in the battlefield thereafter.The common people followed Lord Ram’s suit.This tradition continues till today and Devi Durga is worshipped during Ashwin month, the time we call Navaratri. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this little mythological tale. Thank you for reading this post and giving me your precious time. See you soon 😊