Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami are the most significant days during Durga Puja, filled with rituals, prayers, and cultural vibrancy. This grand festival, a major part of the Diwali season, celebrates the victory of good over evil, marking Goddess Durga's triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. The celebration also symbolizes the Goddess’s homecoming to her maternal abode in the mortal realm, a joyous event eagerly awaited by her devotees.
Significance of Maha Ashtami
Maha Ashtami, also known as Durga Ashtami, is one of the most auspicious days in the Durga Puja and Navratri festivities, celebrated across India along with other famous festivals like Deepavali (Diwali), Chhath Pooja, and Dhanteras. On this day, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, an incarnation of Adi Shakti, who symbolizes purity, peace, and serenity. Her divine presence is believed to cleanse the souls of her devotees, much like the spirit of Deepavali that represents the triumph of light over darkness.
In the Bengali community, Maha Ashtami is especially revered as the day of worship for Maa Chamunda, a fierce form of Goddess Shakti who appeared to vanquish demons Chanda, Munda, and Raktabija. Devotees begin the day with a Mahasnan (holy bath) and perform the Shodashopachar Puja, invoking the nine Shaktis of Maa Durga through the installation of nine pots. Each form of the Goddess is worshipped during the Maha Ashtami Puja.
Another key aspect of Maha Ashtami is Kanya Puja, where young, unmarried girls (symbolic of the divine form of Maa Durga) are worshipped. This ritual, also observed during other Indian festivals like Bhai Dooj, reflects the deep respect for female divinity in Indian culture. Devotees fast and offer prayers, seeking the blessings of the Goddess for health, prosperity, and happiness, much like the blessings sought during Dhanteras and Diwali festival of lights.
The day concludes with the significant Sandhi Puja, performed at the transition between Ashtami and Navami, representing the pivotal moment when Maa Durga prepares to annihilate evil forces.
Significance of Maha Navami
Maha Navami marks the final victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. On this day, she is worshipped as Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of Mahishasura, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of good over evil, a theme deeply resonating with the spirit of Deepawali. Maha Navami is the day of celebration for the Goddess’s continuing presence among her devotees before she prepares for her departure on Vijayadashami, marking the culmination of Durga Puja.
Like Maha Ashtami, Kanya Pujan is performed on this day as well. Devotees welcome young girls into their homes, wash their feet, and offer them fruits, sweets, and traditional delicacies as a way of seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga's divine forms. This tradition is similar to other rituals performed during Bhai Dooj and Chhath Pooja, where women and girls are honored and revered.
The worship and rituals of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, rooted in devotion and cultural heritage, closely align with other grand Indian festivals like Diwali and Deepavali, which emphasize the values of purity, victory of light over darkness, and the importance of family and community. Durga Puja, alongside Diwali and Dhanteras, remains one of the most beloved and famous festivals in India, uniting people through the shared celebration of faith, tradition, and joy.
In conclusion, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami serve as the heart of Durga Puja, offering devotees an opportunity to immerse themselves in the divine energy of the Goddess and seek her blessings. These days are celebrated with great devotion, much like other iconic festivals in India such as Deepavali, Chhath Pooja, and Bhai Dooj. Together, these festivals form the vibrant tapestry of cultural and religious festivities that define India’s rich heritage.
[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Aavyaa, they are just for entertainment purposes]
| DURGA PUJA | DIWALI | DEEPAVALI | CHHATH POOJA | DHANTERAS | BHAI DOOJ | DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS |
~Mimansa Sharma
