Maha Shasthi: The sixth day of Navaratri

The sixth day of Devi Paksha or Navratri is known as ‘Maha Shasthi’ and marks the formal beginning of Durga Puja

On this day ‘Akaal Bodhon’ or the evocation of the Goddess Durga idol is done, which also includes the unveiling of the face of the Durga idol

According to popular belief, on this day, Goddess Durga comes to her father’s house with her four children – Ganesha, Kartika, Lakshmi and Saraswati

However, the conventional time of Durga Puja was the spring season. The custom of celebrating this festival in autumn was initiated by Lord Ram in the Ramayan with the ‘untimely evocation’ of the Goddess to seek her blessings to win the war against Ravana

There are four rituals that are performed on ‘Shasthi’

Kalparambho: The starting of the Puja

Bodhan: The consecration of the Goddess Durga idol, including the unveiling of the face of the idol

Amantran: Inviting Goddess Durga by offering prayers in front of the ‘Dasabhuja’ so that no interruption occurs during the entire Puja phase from ‘Shasthi’ to ‘Dashami’

Adhivas: Sanctifying the stay of Goddess Durga in the area of the Puja mandap

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