As Durga Puja approaches, preparations are in full swing across Bengal. However, a question that often arises in the minds of devotees before the celebrations begin is: on which vehicle will the Goddess arrive and depart this year? According to traditional beliefs, the vehicle of Goddess Durga’s arrival and departure holds significant importance, as it is thought to influence how the year unfolds.
Durga’s arrival and departure are associated with natural elements, and the type of vehicle she chooses—elephant, horse, boat, or palanquin—can indicate different outcomes for the year ahead. These vehicles are believed to symbolize the state of nature and society during her stay on Earth.
The Influence of Durga’s Vehicle on Nature
Goddess Durga’s vehicle for her arrival and departure is determined by the day on which Saptami (the seventh day) and Dashami (the tenth day) of the festival fall. For example:
- If Saptami or Dashami falls on a Sunday or Monday, the Goddess arrives and departs on an elephant (gaja).
- If they fall on a Tuesday or Saturday, she travels on a horse (ghotak).
- If they fall on a Wednesday, her vehicle is a boat.
- If they fall on a Thursday or Friday, she arrives and departs on a palanquin (dola).
Each vehicle has its own set of implications for the state of the Earth and society.
The Significance of Goddess Durga’s Arrival and Departure in 2024: What Her Vehicle Symbolizes
What the Vehicles Symbolize
- Elephant (Gaja):
- The elephant symbolizes peace, prosperity, and abundance. When Durga arrives or departs on an elephant, it indicates that the Earth will be blessed with plentiful crops and a stable environment. This is considered the most auspicious outcome, bringing joy and fulfillment to the people.
- Palanquin (Dola):
- The palanquin is considered the most ominous of all the vehicles. It signifies widespread calamities such as epidemics, earthquakes, droughts, and wars, leading to significant loss of life and property. The arrival or departure of Durga on a palanquin brings the fear of destruction and unrest.
- Boat (Nouka):
- When the Goddess travels by boat, it symbolizes an increase in both water levels and crops. While this suggests prosperity through a good harvest, it also indicates the possibility of floods and excessive rainfall, which could lead to natural disasters.
- Horse (Ghotak):
- The horse is associated with chaos, political instability, and social unrest. When Durga arrives or departs on a horse, it points to upheavals such as wars, internal conflicts, and political or social disruptions. The horse’s restlessness represents turmoil in the world.
The Prediction for 2024
In 2024, Saptami falls on October 10, a Thursday, indicating that Goddess Durga will arrive on a palanquin. According to traditional beliefs, the arrival of Durga in a palanquin signifies a year filled with calamities such as pandemics, natural disasters, and conflicts. The scriptures forewarn of “Dola-yang Marakang Bhavet,” meaning a year of widespread disaster and loss of life.
However, on Dashami, which falls on Sunday, October 13, Durga will return to her celestial abode on an elephant, which is seen as an auspicious sign. The departure on an elephant symbolizes prosperity, peace, and a bountiful harvest for the Earth. It brings hope that after a year of potential challenges, the world will be blessed with stability, and people’s prayers will be answered with success and happiness.
The vehicle on which Goddess Durga arrives and departs each year is believed to have a profound influence on nature and society. While the arrival of the Goddess in 2024 on a palanquin may suggest troubling times ahead, her departure on an elephant offers a glimmer of hope for peace and prosperity. Though these traditional beliefs lack scientific backing, they remain an integral part of the cultural and religious fabric of Durga Puja, influencing the expectations and emotions of devotees during this revered festival.