Durga Puja 2024: The nine days of Shardiya Navratri, which began on 3rd October and will conclude with Vijayadashami on 12th October 2024, are dedicated to the worship of Adi Shakti, Goddess Durga. During this festival, Goddess Durga's idols are installed in temples, grand pandals, and homes, where devotees worship her with devotion for nine days.
However, the idols of Goddess Durga used for Durga Puja are made from the soil of a prostitute’s courtyard.
Know the reason behind this tradition:
One Must Ask With Respect For The Soil:
According to the tradition, if the soil from a brothel's courtyard is not used in making Maa Durga's idol, it is considered incomplete. Moreover, when a priest or sculptor visits a brothel to ask for the soil, their mind must be pure and honest. They must respectfully bow down while requesting the soil from the prostitute. Once the soil is provided, it is used in the idol's construction, and only then is the idol deemed complete.
Bowing before prostitutes is seen as a symbol of giving women equal status and respect as a form of female power in society.
Why The Soil From A Brothel Is Considered Pure:
According to the experts, a woman is considered the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi. When a man leaves his wife to visit a prostitute, all his virtuous deeds are believed to be left in her courtyard. Thus, the soil from a prostitute's courtyard is considered pure, while the man becomes a bearer of sin upon entering the brothel.
Other Essential Elements Needed For Making The Idol:
In addition to the soil from a brothel’s courtyard, other essential elements are required to complete the idol of Maa Durga for Durga Puja. Without these items, the idol is considered incomplete. Soil from the banks of the Ganga, cow urine, and cow dung are also used in the making of Maa Durga’s idol. These practices have been followed for centuries.
The Mythological Story Behind This Tradition
According to Hindu mythology, a group of prostitutes once went to the Ganga River to bathe. They noticed a leper sitting by the riverbank, begging passersby to help him take a holy dip in the river. People ignored him and avoided even looking in his direction. However, the prostitutes took pity on him and helped him bathe in the Ganga. That leper was none other than Lord Shiva in disguise.
Pleased with their compassion, Lord Shiva revealed his true form and offered the prostitutes a boon. They asked that Maa Durga's idols be made from the soil of their courtyards. Lord Shiva granted this wish, and since then, the tradition of using soil from both the Ganga’s banks and brothels for making Maa Durga's idols has continued to this day.
[Disclaimer: The content of this article is based solely on beliefs, and should be taken as general guidance. Individual experiences may vary. ABPLive.com does not assert the accuracy or validity of any claims or information presented. It is strongly recommended to consult a qualified expert before considering or implementing any information or belief discussed herein.]