The Shiva and Durga Ritual Cycle

<<-- Click on wedges with red highlights to see documentation of festivals.

Debi pujas are particularly numerous in the year. Early in the year the Spring Goddess Basanti-Debi, a form of Durga, is worshipped. In the autumn is the great festival of the Goddess followed by pujas and festivals of her other forms: Kala, Jagaddhatra. Bratas are performed by women throughout the year ; Durgasasthi, Bipadtarini, Sankattartni relate to the family and a desire to be protected by the Goddess. The bratas are con­cerned with line and household, and the persons within these units. Rattantikala, Tantrik Kali are the terrifying aspects of the Goddess. They have to do with anger, revenge, victory over enemies but also with protection and love, the care of a Mother for her creatures. Other bratas of the Goddess are concerned with happiness, love, and kinship relations under the auspices of Debi : Mangal Candi, Candi, and Sasthi. The six or seven major Sasthis define social situations in relation to children, son-in-law, daughter, and husband.

Pujas involving Sib directly are mostly related to marriage, especially the pujas of Sibratri. Girls may do this puja for gaining a good husband like Sib. At the gajan the Nilabati bratas ofthe women celebrate the marriage of Sib. Aspects of Sib are honoured in the pujas of Bhairab, and Sib's companions. Both Sib and Durga have many manifestations among the class of "jungle deities" or "deities of the people" (bhumi-­debota).