MAA DURGA POOJA- THE " MAHASHTAMI " :: A VERY IMPORTANT POOJA DAY TO BURN AND WASH THE " SIN " OF THE PAST BIRTH
Pic :: The Durga Mahaashtami Pooja
All you need to know about - " Maha Ashtami " , the most important day of
Navratri
Maha Ashtami or the eighth day is
one of the most important days during the Navratri and there
is some doubt over the exact timing of the Durga Maha Ashtami this
year.
Usually the tithi or
the day of the puja according to the Hindu calendar coincides with the
Greogarian or English calendar dates. But this year, the tithi for
Maha Ashtami begins a day early and hence both Ashtami and Nabami are
going to fall on the same day.
For the Bengali community who celebrate Durga
Puja with great flair, Maha Ashtami sees the worship of the Chamunda incarnation
of Goddess Shakti. It is believed that during Goddess Durga’s epic battle
with Mahishasur, the goddess had killed demons Chanda,
Munda, and Raktabija on Ashtami.
According to Drik Panchang, Durga Puja on Maha Ashtami begins
with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja.
Nine pots are kept as nine forms of the Goddess
are worshipped as part of Ashtami puja. Also little girls are worshiped during
Kumari Puja that also takes place on this day. One of the most significant
aspects of Ashtami is the Sandhi Puja.
According to the religious texts, the last 24
minutes of Ashtami and first 24 minutes of Nabami form the Sandhi Khan or
a holy period. It is considered to be the most important ritual of Durga Puja,
as per the Panchang.
Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri, the avatar of Goddess Durga is
considered auspicious. She is the eighth manifestation of the goddess Durga and
amongst the Navadurgas. The ten-armed goddess riding the lion is highly
regarded and even the weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped while reciting mantras
in a ritual known as Astra Puja Durga Puja begins from the sixth day, i.e. Maha
Sashti, and ends with Maha Dashami, the tenth day. The eighth day of Navratri
is considered the most important day
Understanding the
significance of Maha Ashtami:
Durga Puja is celebrated
across the country with much fanfare. Bengalis consider this festival one of
the biggest in their community. On Maha Ashtami, people worship the incarnation
of Chamunda, Goddess Shakti.
As per “ Drikpanchang ”, Durga Puja on Maha Ashtami begins with
Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja
(षोडशोपचार पूजा) which is very much
similar to Maha Saptami Puja except Prana Pratishtha (प्राण प्रतिष्ठा) 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.
On this day actually Maa
Durga incarnated in the FORM where she received TEN HANDS to FIGHT the “
MAISASUR ” .These TEN hands has TEN different WEAPON given to her by the Lord
Shiva , Lord Vishnu and the Lord Brahma beside the Lord Indira, .A large CONCH was also given to her to
BLOW it BEFORE and AFTER the battle ends with MAISASURA .
The blow of the CONCH
before the battle signifies to the dieties to get ready for the worship for the
VICTORY of Goddess Durga so that the blessing comes from every corner of the
HEAVEN to Maa Durga for slaying the demon and the blow of the CONCH after
reveals that the world is made to know that the demon Maisasur and his
wickedness as well as EVIL has come to an end
The Hindu Belief::
The Hindus in particular
believe that in the LIFE of the people
in general. Fasting on the EIGHT DAY of the POOJA and offering the PUSHPANJALI
gets them rid of ther SINS that they have brought in with them for all the past
life and on this day when after fasting, they offer their prayers and the
pushpanjali, their SINS are to a large extent washed away.
The KANYA POOJA washes their sin if at all they have done it
against any kid who is a girl below the age of NINE or even if they have done t
to their DAUGHTER by mistake
or even by any other way.
The “ NAVAM ” Kanya Pooja
On the day of Ashtami,
before breaking the fast, nine girls
below the age of ten are worshipped and are fed sumptuously and, amongst other
things, presented with new clothes. Worshipping of young girls during Durga
Puja is known as Kumari Puja. In many regions, Kumari Puja is done
during all nine days of Durga Navratri.
The Kumari Pooja
Kumari Puja on a single day during Durga Puja
is preferred on Maha Ashtami, as per Drikpanchang.
Bhog:
On this day, coconut is
offered in the form of bhog to please the deity. For prasad, you can also make
coconut ladoo or barfi. Apart from this, the traditional fare of poori, chana,
and halwa is prepared on this day.
A Special request
This year, instead of
distributing Prashad or calling Kanya (girls) for puja at home, help the needy,
in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Regards and Thanks
Pics
Shyamal Bhattacharjee
Mr Shyamal
Bhattacharjee, the author was born at West Chirimiri Colliery at
District Surguja, Chattisgarh on July 6th 1959 He
received his early education at Carmel Convent School Bishrampur
and later at Christ Church Boys' Higher Secondary School at
Jabalpur. He later joined Hislop College at Nagpur and
completed his graduation in Science and he also added a degree
in B A thereafter. He joined the HITAVADA,
a leading dailies of Central India at Nagpur
as a Sub-Editor ( Sports ) but
gave up to complete his MBA in 1984 He thereafter
added a Diploma In Export Management. He has authored THREE books
namely Notable Quotes and Noble Thought published by Pustak
Mahal in 2001 Indian Cricket : Faces That Changed It
published by Manas Publications in 2009 and Essential Of Office
Management published by NBCA, Kolkatta in 2012. He has a
experience of about 35 years in Marketing
Signature Of Shyamal Bhattacharjee
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