The worship of Debi Durga in the month of Ashwin ( English – September to October ) is called 'Akalbodhan'- an uncustomary time for commencement of the worship. It is so called since the period of this worship differs from the conventional period (during the spring - 'Basanta').
Ramayan says that when Ram was engaged in the fierce battle with Ravan, he wanted to secure the blessings of victory from Debi Durga. He held the puja to evoke the goddess during autumn to his dire plight, thereby worshiping Durga untimely (in Akal). Hence this puja is called Akalbodhon.
It was customary to worship Durga with 108 neel kamals (blue lotuses). Rama could gather only 107 of them; he offered one of his eyes as a substitute of the 108th lotus. Pleased with his devotion Durga blessed him. The battle started on Shaptami and Ravana was killed at the in between (Shandhikshan) Ashtami and Navami; he was cremated on Dashami. Therefore the four days of the puja that we celebrate ends in the triumph of the good over evil.
Ramayan says that when Ram was engaged in the fierce battle with Ravan, he wanted to secure the blessings of victory from Debi Durga. He held the puja to evoke the goddess during autumn to his dire plight, thereby worshiping Durga untimely (in Akal). Hence this puja is called Akalbodhon.
It was customary to worship Durga with 108 neel kamals (blue lotuses). Rama could gather only 107 of them; he offered one of his eyes as a substitute of the 108th lotus. Pleased with his devotion Durga blessed him. The battle started on Shaptami and Ravana was killed at the in between (Shandhikshan) Ashtami and Navami; he was cremated on Dashami. Therefore the four days of the puja that we celebrate ends in the triumph of the good over evil.
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