The 'Shakti' has arrived, and the entire nation is celebrating the 'aagman' of Maa Durga. However, not many know that the Durga idol is incomplete without soil from brothels.
The North India is celebrating Maa's arrival on earth in the form of Shardiya Navratri. On the other hand, Bengalis are gearing up for the Shakti's celebration as Durga Puja. The pandals are set, and Mata is all set with solah shringaar and her entire family to give darshan to her devotees. While we all marvel seeing Maa Durga's magnificent idols, not many know that it is made up of from soil from brothel. Yes, it is an age-old tradition. Let's take a look at it!
Months before the Durga Puja begins, every nook and corner of Kumartuli in Kolkata gets busy with idol makers spending day and night to give shape to the ten-armed diety and her family with clay. If you want to feel the magic and witness the power of Goddess, you must visit any Pandal and will feel Maa Durga's presence. However, people across the nation are not aware that Maa Durga's idol is made from a special soil, which comes from brothels. It is said that the Goddess Durga's idols are partially made from the soil collected from outside a prostitues' home, and it is known as 'Punya Maati'.
In the eyes of societies, prostitutes are outcasted, but in front of Maa Durga, we all are one. It is said that a mother never differentiates, and it is proven in this pure ritual. According to the ritualistic practice, the priest who conducts the puja must bow down and beg for the soil with utmost respect from a prostitute, and she should give it from her hand, then only the idol is made.
However, nowadays, instead of the priest, it is the murtikaar, who gets the soil from the red-light areas. Not only this, with modern amenities, the soil is available at local shops in Bengal.
Maa Durga is the janani of every being. She is the Shakti of Lord Shiv, and she is present in every being. While people might be shocked at the strange tradition of using soil from brothels, it is a beautiful way of incorporating the people from forbidden lanes in the festivities.
Another reason is that a woman is considered as form of Goddess Lakshmi. It is stated that when a man leaves his wife and family to visit a prostitue, he leaves behind all his virtuous deeds in her courtyard, as he surrenders to sins and a life that is not righteous. Hence, the soil of a prostitute's home is considered pure, and the man becomes a bearer of sin as he is using another body for his own desires.
However, there is another reason behind it, taken from the vedas, Hindu text. It is said that nine classes of women, who are called Navkanyas should be worshiped during Durga Puja. These women are — a dance/actress, a protitute, a laundry girl, a Brahmin girl, a shudra and a gopala. It is believed that the worship of Goddess Durga is incomplete without giving respect to these women.
Well, Durga Puja is a beautiful tradition, and this might be looked down as just a tradition, but it shows that how in the eyes of Mother, we all are equal. The society can differentiate between a woman working in offices for family and a woman choosing the path of selling her body, but God doesn't.
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