What is Raga Durga?

Raga Durga is an evening raga in Hindustani classical music known for its brave, devotional, and serene mood. It is a pentatonic raga from the Bilawal thaat that omits Ga and Ni, using only shuddha Sa, Re, Ma, Pa, and Dha.

Key Facts:

Thaat: Bilawal

Jaati: Audava-Audava (pentatonic ascent and descent)

Aroh (Ascending): Sa Re Ma Pa Dha Sa

Avaroh (Descending): Sa Dha Pa Ma Re Sa

Vadi (Primary note): Ma

Samvadi (Secondary note): Sa

Time: Evening, roughly second quarter of the night

Mood/Emotion: Bhakti (devotional) and Veer (heroic), calm yet dignified

Pakad (Signature phrase): Dha Ma Re; Ma Pa Dha Ma Re; Dha Sa

Important notes or usage tips: Avoid Ga and Ni entirely; rest frequently on Sa, Ma, and Dha to project its devotional, valorous character across all three octaves.

Raga Durga is a pentatonic raga, consisting of five notes in both the Aroha (ascending) and Avaroha (descending). All the swaras used are shuddha (natural), and the use of Gandhar (Ga) and Nishad (Ni) is strictly avoided in both ascent and descent. Hence, its jati is classified as Audav-Audav (five notes in both directions). Raga Durga belongs to the Bilawal Thaat in contemporary Hindustani classical music.

The raga is typically performed in the second quarter of the night (approximately 6-9 PM). The Vadi swar (most prominent note) is Madhyam (Ma), while the Samvadi swar (second-most prominent) is Shadaj (Sa). It is considered a fundamental raga, often introduced to beginners, and is also a popular choice among performing artists in classical concerts. The Nyas swars (resting or ending notes) are Sa, Ma, and Dha. Raga Durga resonates across all three octaves and evokes a combination of Bhakti Rasa (devotional mood) and Veer Rasa (heroic mood).

Lower Octave - sa re ga ma pa dha ne
Middle Octave - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ne
High Octave - SA RE GA MA PA DHA NE

Raag Durga’s aaroh and avaroh (ascending & descending scales) are as follows:

Aroha

Sa Re Ga Pa Dha SA

Avarah

SA Dha Pa Ga Re Sa

Pakad

Dha Ma Re, Ma Pa Dha Ma Re, dha Sa

Sthai

Sa Re Ma Pa | Dha - Dha Pa | Ma Pa Dha Pa | Ma Ma Re Sa |
Re dha Sa - | Dha Ma Pa - | SA SA Dha Pa | Ma Ma Re Sa |

Lakshan Geet #1

Gawat durga ragini

Authava swar shudh wanni

Vergit gani ati shobhini

Vadi surver devat

Sam vadi dwitiya kahat

Veer dheer aata gambhir

Samaya kahat din yamini

Lakshan Geet #2

Jeevan ke ma pran sakha re,

sundar madhav nand dulare,

tan man dhan sab tum par baro,

chandini yoyi sukh joyee ban pyare,

(Jeewan ke swar)

sa re ma pa | dha sa dha pa

ma pa dha pa | ma ma re sa

ma pa dha sa | dha sa dha pa

ma pa dha pa | ma ma re sa

sa sa dha pa | dha dha pa ma

pa pa ma re | ma ma re sa

(Tan man dha swar)

dha sa re ma | re ma re sa

ma pa dha sa | pa dha sa S

re re sa dha | sa sa dha pa

dha dha pa ma | pa dha sa S

ma pa dha sa | pa dha sa

ma pa dha sa | pa dha sa

Lakshan Geet #3

Payo ji meine ram ratan dhan payo -2

Vastu amolik di mere satguru -2

kripa kari apnaavo (payo meine…)

Janam janam ki punji paayi -2

Jag mein sabhi sabhi khovayo (payo ji…)

Kharach na khootea, chr na lootea -2

Din din badhat savao (payo ji …)

Sat ki naw khevatiya satguru

Bhav sagar tar aayo (payo ji…)

Mira ke prabhu girdhar nagar ,

Harakh harakh jas payo (payo ji…)