I have been wondering for some time, specially after a colleague of mine asked me, whether there is any relation between Durga Puja and Dusshera because they always fall at the same time. Well initially I thought that they are entirely unrelated except that they happen to fall on the same date, but now I know the reason and here it is.
During Ram's war against Ravana, Ravana was superior to Ram in terms of soldiers and power. Also, except for Ravana's dastardly act of abducting Sita, Ravana was a highly learned person and a true Brahmana (here Brahmana is not about Brahmins but about a person who is close to Godly knowledge). Ram had tried to kill Ravana on many occassions but failed. It was then that Vibhishana told Ram that it was impossible to kill Ravana because of two reasons. 1. His weapon which can kill him is kept inside a pillar which is kept at Mandodri's room. 2. He worships Ma Durga every year and it is Durga's blessings which will not allow Ram to kill him. So to kill Ravana Ram was advised to perform the Durga puja.
The original time of Durga puja happens during the months of March-April when the first Navratri happens. That is the real Durga puja which was done by Ravana. So Ram had to perform the puja at a wrong time and hence it is also known as AKAAL BODHAN. In this puja Ram was required to use 108 Lotus found at Maan Sarovar out of which one was Blue in color. So Hanuman was sent to bring those flowers. On Navami (of Navratri) when Ram was supposed to perform the puja Ma Durga hid the Blue Lotus so that her ardent devotee Ravana could be saved. Ram then started to scoop out his one eye as it was considered blue in color. Seeing this Ma Durga appeared and gave him the blessings of killing Ravana.
So this is the story of Durga Puja and Dusshera and how they are interconnected.
During Ram's war against Ravana, Ravana was superior to Ram in terms of soldiers and power. Also, except for Ravana's dastardly act of abducting Sita, Ravana was a highly learned person and a true Brahmana (here Brahmana is not about Brahmins but about a person who is close to Godly knowledge). Ram had tried to kill Ravana on many occassions but failed. It was then that Vibhishana told Ram that it was impossible to kill Ravana because of two reasons. 1. His weapon which can kill him is kept inside a pillar which is kept at Mandodri's room. 2. He worships Ma Durga every year and it is Durga's blessings which will not allow Ram to kill him. So to kill Ravana Ram was advised to perform the Durga puja.
The original time of Durga puja happens during the months of March-April when the first Navratri happens. That is the real Durga puja which was done by Ravana. So Ram had to perform the puja at a wrong time and hence it is also known as AKAAL BODHAN. In this puja Ram was required to use 108 Lotus found at Maan Sarovar out of which one was Blue in color. So Hanuman was sent to bring those flowers. On Navami (of Navratri) when Ram was supposed to perform the puja Ma Durga hid the Blue Lotus so that her ardent devotee Ravana could be saved. Ram then started to scoop out his one eye as it was considered blue in color. Seeing this Ma Durga appeared and gave him the blessings of killing Ravana.
So this is the story of Durga Puja and Dusshera and how they are interconnected.
