The Vivekananda Rock memorial in
Kanayakumari on the meeting point of Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian
Sea will come closer for citizens here as Darbhanga puja committee pandal this year has been modeled on
its lines. The idea is backed by the coincidence that Prayag, as Allahabad is
also known, too stands on the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers.
The picturesque Vivekananda Rock Memorial has been replicated artfully at the
pandal.
The young Indian
sage and youth icon of the country, Swami Vivekananda came to Kanyakumari on
February 24, 1892 before his departure for Chicago to participate in the World
Religious Conference in 1893. He sat in meditation on this rock for two days
and went on to be a powerful spiritual leader and philosopher. Vivekananda Rock
Memorial was built in 1970 and is a blend of various architectural styles of
India.
Talking to TOI,
general secretary of Darbhanga colony puja committee Debobroto Basu said
"It is the sesquicentennial year (150th year) of Swami Vivekananda's birth
anniversary, so we decided to recreate the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at the
puja pandal." The unique characteristic of the pandal is that it is
located on a raised platform about 25 to 30 foot above the ground while the
entire structure has been erected on a bamboo framework. The height of the
pandal is about 60 feet from ground. The is exquisitely decorated interior of
the pandal has specially designed idols of Ganesha etched on the walls, along
with floral motifs.
About 15 artists
from Kolkata have been called who are toiling day and night to give shape to
the pandal. Artist Vibhas Das, says "We are ardent devotees of Goddess
Durga and it is our labour of love and devotion."
To replicate the
memorial, special effects using water would be created in front of the pandal
to give it the semblance of sea surrounding it. The structure would be complete
and ready for display on October 20. The Durga idol placed in the pandal has
been prepared by artists from West Bengal.
Durga and Symbolism
Goddess Durga is
believed to be the mother of the universe and the power behind all creation, preservation,
and destruction of the world. Since time immemorial she has been worshipped as
the supreme being and mentioned in Yajur Veda, Vajasaneyi Samhita and
Taittareya Brahman. The word 'Durga' in Sanskrit means fort, or a place which
is difficult to overrun. Another meaning is 'Durgatinashini', which translates
into 'the one who eliminates sufferings'.
Many Forms
There are many
incarnations of Durga: Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri,
Kundalini, Java, Rajeswari, etc. Durga incarnated as the united power of all
divine beings, who offered her the required physical attributes and weapons to
kill the demon Mahishasur. Her nine appellations are Skondamata, Kusumanda,
Shailaputri, Kaalratri, Brahmacharini, Maha Gauri, Katyayani, Chandraghanta and
Siddhidatri.
Many Arms
Durga is depicted
as having eight or ten hands. These represent eight quadrants or 10 directions
in Hinduism and suggests she protects devotees from all directions.
Her Vehicle, The
Lion
The lion represents
power, will and determination. Mother Durga riding the lion symbolises mastery
over all forces and suggests to the devotee that one has to possess all these
qualities to get over the demon of ego.
No comments:
Post a Comment