Lakshmipat Singhania Academy
Rituals
Alpona
This is an ancient folk art form of Bengal to welcome the goddess to their homes. It has the sign of wealth and prosperity at the entrance of the house. In Bengal the predominant colour of alpona is white. People add turmeric paste for yellow, red paste with vermilion to add hues to the design of the alpona. It is usually floral prints made with rice flour paste.
Blowing the 'Shankh'
Blowing the conch is considered to be auspicious and essential ritual practice and it signifies the start of the day’s puja. The divine sound of the shankh keeps our mind free from negative thoughts, uplifts spirituality and it generates zeal and positivity to begin the day with focussed mind. It is also believed that blowing shankh destroys enemies and pleases the goddess Lakshmi. Scientifically, it strengthens one’s lungs, the vibration caused in by blowing the shankh opens up the nervous system, exercises the jaw etc.
Bhog
The Bhog is the sacred offering to goddess Durga at a specific and auspicious timing of the day. It is considered as an offering to thank the devi Durga for what she has bestowed on us and seek her blessings. The Bhog items and offerings differ from family to family. It creates an ambience of spiritual relationship with the goddess and the family members. She is considered as a beloved mother, sister or daughter of that family and through the offering all the devotees show their regard and love to her. Bhog also has a dual role by being and offering to the goddess and by serving the community. It is an offering of traditional Bengali food touched with emotions and feelings.
SAPTAMI BHOG – rice, moong daal (pulses) prepared in a special way with cashewnut and raisins, seven types of vegetable fries, mixed vegetable, chutney and paramanna (made of milk, sugar and rice) and paan (beetal leaf folded in a special way with pieces of beetal nut, cardamom and clove.
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ASHTAMI BHOG – pulao, vegetable fries, paneer, dhokar dalna, chutney, paayesh, beetal leaf with beetal nut, cloves and cardamom.
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BHOG of SONDHI PUJA
This is a special bhog on the auspicious timing of Sondhi Puja. Traditional Bengali food items are served such as:
Pulao, vegetable fries, special curries – chhannar dalna, chholar daal, luchi, mixed vegetables, payesh, mishit doi, sondesh, daab water, beetal leaf with beetal nut, cloves and cardamom.
NAVAMI BHOG – kichudi, vegetable fries, labra (mixed vegetables), chutney, paayesh, beetal leaf with beetal nut, cloves and cardamom.
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DASAMI BHOG - The bhog served on this occasion is very special - Rice soaked overnight (Panta bhat) with Gandharaj lemon, Taro leaves and stem cooked with coconut and Hilsa fry, beetal leaf with beetal nut, cloves and cardamom.
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SHEETAL BHOG
Every day in the evening sheetal bhog is offered to the goddess. The bhog offer are luchi and suji payesh, mishtanna. The significance of this bhog is to cool the body and fortify the immune system.
Shreee
A shree is made of flower dough or turmeric, vermillion and other colours to beautify it. It signifies the arrival of goddess Lakshmi the deity of wealth, prosperity and in nature. It is made to welcome Devi Durga which is also considered to be the mother of nature.
Sindur Khela
Sindur khela is a ritual of unity, love and bond. People pray for the well-being of the universe and they wish to be in good health till they meet next year for the celebrations.