Akal Bodhon: the story of waking the goddess out of season
Durga Puja falls in autumn, which is why the rite is called Akal Bodhon. Here is the story and the Shashthi rite.
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What Akal Bodhon means
Akal Bodhon literally means the untimely awakening of Durga. The gods are believed to sleep during autumn, so the rite that awakens the goddess is also called akalabodhana. (Source: Wikipedia, Durga Puja)
The Krittivasi Ramayana story
In Ramayana versions from the north, west and south, Rama remembers Surya before his battle with Ravana. The 15th-century Bengali Krittivasi Ramayana, by Krittivasa, instead has Rama worshipping Durga. (Source: Wikipedia, Durga Puja)
In the legend, Durga hid one of the 108 lotuses. Rama offered one of his eyes in its place. Durga then appeared, blessed him, and was satisfied with his devotion. (Source: Wikipedia, Durga Puja)
Bodhon on Shashthi
Shashthi is the sixth day, when devotees welcome the goddess and the major festivities begin. The ghatasthapana consecrates her presence in a ghata and the pranapratistha consecrates the idol. In adhivasa she is anointed with symbolic offerings. (Source: Wikipedia, Durga Puja)
In Drik Panchang's Kolkata list for 2027, Shashthi is Tuesday, 5 October, and Akal Bodhon is among that day's rites. (Source: Drik Panchang, Durga Puja 2027 calendar (Kolkata))
💡 Visit a pandal on Shashthi evening to see the bodhon and adhivasa. Confirm the time first, as it varies by pandal.
Questions
- What is Akal Bodhon?
- The rite of awakening Durga out of season, in autumn.
- Did Rama worship Durga?
- In the Bengali Krittivasi Ramayana, yes, before the battle with Ravana. In other regional versions he remembers Surya.
- What is the 108 lotuses and Rama's eye story?
- Durga hid one lotus, Rama offered an eye in its place, and Durga appeared, satisfied.
- When is Bodhon in 2027?
- On Shashthi, Tuesday 5 October 2027 (Drik Panchang, Kolkata).
See also
Durga Puja 2027Durga Puja 2026Mahalaya 2027NabapatrikaSandhi Puja