Birendra Krishna Bhadra | Tune to WBRi for Mahalaya online

The legendary Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s rendition of Mahishasurmardini is going to air on Washington Bangla Radio on Oct 7, 2010. To listen to Mahalaya program by WBRi, listeners can tune into live web-cast on www.WashingtonBanglaRadio.com.

 Mother Durga is worshipped and celebrated across Bengal for 4 days from the 6th day of Navaratri.

The festive fever catches one from the Mahalaya and preparations for the Durga Puja commences. Mahalaya is also considered the day to invoke Mother Durga’s promising occurrence for the Durga Puja. Mantras are chanted and bhajans are sung to invoke the grace of Goddess Durga.

Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahishasura Mardini for defeated the tyranny of the demon King Mahishasura. Mahisha was born of an asura called Rambha and a she buffalo. While he performed forfeit in the middle of raging flames, Karambha engaged in tapas in neck deep water. Indra, disturbed by the rigorous austerities of the brothers, assumed the form of a crocodile and killed Karambha.

The she buffalo out of regret joined Rambha in his interment pyre out of which a violent demon emerged with a buffalo head and a human body to cause chaos in all the 3 worlds. The devas or the gods incapable to bear the autocracy of Mahishasura approached Lord Vishnu and Shiva headed by Lord Brahma.

Mahishasura at the sight of Durga was attracted by her brightness and expressed his desire to marry Her. On the other hand, The Goddess proposed a offer that She would marry Him if She loses in the battle with Him.

A violent battle ensued with Durga fighting the ego besotted Mahishasura blinded by lust for 9 days. Eventually, Durga assumed the ferocious form of Chandika and pressed the asura down with Her feet. She sunk Her trident into his neck and beheaded him with Her sword. She hereafter came to be hailed as Mahishasura Mardhini.