ASHTAMI THE AUSPIOUS DAY - 802

Ashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is 8^th day of Durga Puja. Maha Ashtami

is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Durga Puja on Maha Ashtami begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja which is very much similar to Maha Saptami Puja except Prana Pratishtha which is done only once on Maha Saptami.

On Maha Ashtami nine small pots are installed and nine Shaktis of Durga are invoked in them. All nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja.

Kanya Pujan
all unmarried girls are worshiped like Maa Durga. There feet’s are washed with water and served puri, chana and halwa. Some people make potato or pumpkin sabji too. Moli is tied on their hand and tilak is done.Food is served among 5,7,9 or 11 girls

Langura-One boy below 7 year of age is also served along with the girls as langura.

How to perform navratri ashtmi puja (Pujan vidhi of ashtmi)

Pujan Vidhi

Take bath in brahm murath and wear neat and clean clothes. Worship Maa with dhoop, roli, kumkum, flowers (red), akshat and deep. Make halwa,puri and black chana to serve the goddess. You can also unboiled fresh milk and sweets of mawa as prasadam. Take some flowers in your hand and chant the following shloka

“Sarva Mangala Maangalye, Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike
Sharanye Tryambake Gaurii, Naaraayanii Namostute”

Offer those flowers to Maa .You can recite Maa chalisa or Durga maa vrath katha also if you want. In the end sing maa Durga aarti.

What should be done on Ashtami and Mahanavmi

1. You should bathe in the morning and clean your puja ghar.
2. Then clean the Maa Durga idol or picture with water or a clean cloth.
3. After cleaning, set your plate for worshiping, which shall include – incense (dhoop), deep (cotton balls dipped in ghee or oil), chunri, flowers, bindi, bangles and holy prasad.
4. Now sprinkle the Gangajal to purify your house and ignite the diya.
5. Now chant the ‘Durga Mantra’ mentioned below (atleast 11 times, if 108 times not possible)
6. After Durga Mantra, you must recite the Durga Chalisa and conclude the Pooja with Durga Aarti.

7. On Navmi, after following the above mentioned procedure for pooja, you should invite 9 girls (of below 12 years of age) at your home and worship them.

8. After worshiping them, you should feed them with food prepared for bhog and gift them with clothes or other things.

Durga Mantra to be chanted during the Pooja on Ashtami and Mahanavmi.

@bhawanasomaaya