Friday 12th October 2029
Bilva Nimantran Muhurat/Timings – 3:33 PM to 5:50 PM
Duration – 2 Hours 17 Mins
About Bilva Nimantran:
Bilva Nimantran is performed on Shashthi Tithi when it prevails during Sanyakal. It may happen that Shashthi ends before Sanyakal, but it has been prevailing during Sanyakal on the previous day or Panchami Tithi. If it happens so, then Sanyakal on Panchami Tithi may be considered more appropriate for doing Bilva Namantran.
During Durga Puja, most people take Shashthi Tithi for Kalparambha, Bodhon, and Adhivas & Amantran without bothering whether it prevails during Sanyakal or not. Religious texts suggest that the combination of Sanyakal and Shashthi is the most suitable time for Bilva Puja.
However, Navpatrika Pravesh is always performed on Saptami Tithi irrespective of the fact that Bilva Nimantran is performed on Panchami due to the non-availability of Sanyakal Shashthi on the following day.
Kalparambha, Bodhon and Adhivas & Amantran are the main rituals on the first day of Durga Puja, which usually occur one day before Navpatrika Puja.
Kalparambha is done early in the morning, if possible, during Pratahkal. The ritual of Kalparambha ritual involves installation of a water-filled Kalash and offering worship to Goddess Durga. Sankalpa is taken, which is the firm resolution to perform Pujas and rituals during the next three days, viz., Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami.
Bodhon is also known as Akal Bodhon and is performed during Sanyakal. Bodhon literally means awakening. As the name indicates, Goddess Durga is symbolically awakened during this ritual. As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that all Gods and Goddesses sleep for six months during Dakshiyana. Since Durga Puja happens in the middle of this period, the Goddess Durga is first awakened before starting worship. It is said that Goddess Durga was first awakened by Lord Rama who sought the blessing of the Goddess before his battle against the ten-headed Demon Ravana. Because of the untimely awakening of Goddess Durga, Bodhon ritual also got the name Akal Bodhon.
The ritual of Bodhon involves installing a water-filled Kalash at the base of Bilva tree. Bilva tree is also known as Bel tree whose leaves are the extremely sacred for Shiva Pujan. During the Bodhon ritual, prayers are offered to awaken Goddess Durga.
Adhivas and Amantran rites are performed after Bodhon. Avahana refers to the invocation of Goddess Durga, and after Avahana, symbolically installing the Goddess Durga in Bilva is known as Adhivas. Before installing Goddess Durga into it, Bilva tree is sanctified.
After Adhivas, Goddess Durga is invited to accept the Navpatrika Puja of the next day. The ritualistic invitation of Goddess Durga is known as Amantran.