The Myth of Akalbodhana

Actually Durga Puja is scheduled in the period of spring. This Puja is known as the Basanti Puja. This is the right time of worshipping mother Durga according to the Hindu Scriptures. But Durga Puja in this perfect time is not accepted by the devotees, they prefer worshipping mother in the shukla paksha in the month of autumn. Hence the Puja is referred to as the Sharadia Puja. But according to the scriptures this is not the exact period of worshipping mother Durga. It is untimely worshipping; hence it is called the Akalbodhana.

The Durga Puja according to the Hindu scriptures is associated with the story of Lord Rama. His wife mother Sita was abducted by the demon king Ravana. Rama with the aid of the monkey army crossed the sea and reached Lanka now Sri Lanka, the then abode of Ravana. Ravana was a horrible demon. Hence it was very hard to slay him.

Rama finding no way to slay the demon king tried to seek the favor of the gods and goddesses. Ravana though was nothing but a demon was a fervent worshipper of Lord Shiva. As advised by the lord Shiva Rama determined to worship Durga to seek her favor. His intention was to slay Ravana at any cost and rescue Sita from his grip.

Rama had no other option before him than to arrange the Puja of the Mother. It was not the suitable period to worship her but out of sheer plight he had to evoke her untimely that is in Akal time. For this reason this Puja is called the Akalbodhana. This Puja was to be held with 100 blue lotuses. Rama could not manage all the flowers; he was able to collect only 99. As it was the ritual to offer 100 lotuses he had to offer his blue eye instead of the lotus that was remaining.

Devi Durga was pleased with his devotion and offered him the boon to slay Ravana at ease. Armored with the boon Rama killed Ravana on the Astami Tithi in a fierce battle.