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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Fairfield, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Mahashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is second 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 (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.
Young unmarried girls, being treated as Goddess Durga itself, are also worshipped on Maha Ashtami. 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. Kumari Puja on a single day during Durga Puja is preferred on Maha Ashtami.
The legendary Sandhi Puja is also falls on Maha Ashtami. The time window of the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi is known as Sandhi Time or the holy juncture during Durga Puja. Sandhi time is considered the most auspicious time during whole Durga Puja. Sandhi Puja is the culmination point and the most important ritual of Durga Puja. It is customary to perform Balidan or animal sacrifice at this sacred juncture. Devotees who abstain from animal sacrifice perform symbolic Bali with vegetables like banana, cucumber or pumpkin. For Brahmins any type of animal sacrifice is prohibited by scriptures and Brahmin community does only symbolic Bali. Even the famous Belur Math in West Bengal does symbolic Bali with banana during Sandhi Puja. It is customary to light 108 earthen lamps during Sandhi Kaal.
Durga Puja is performed in various ways every year during the fifteen-day Devi Paksha, which is also popular as Navratri, Durgotsava, and Shardotsava. Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya are also worshiped in Durga Puja.
The worship of the Goddess in Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana. For which choosing an auspicious Muhurat is most important. On this page, you can get information about the most auspicious time for Ghatasthapana according to your city.
Due to being related to Sharada Ritu, Ashwin Navratri is also called Sharadiya Navratri. Worshippers of Goddess Durga from all over the world wait for this festival, due to which this Navratri is very popular, hence it is also called 'Maha Navratri'. On this page, you will find the days of Sharadiya Navratri festival and other important information.
Sandhi Puja Muhurta is listed on this page. Sandhi Puja is performed during Navratri festival. Sandhi Puja is performed at a special time at the end of Ashtami Tithi and beginning of Navami Tithi. At this special moment Goddess Chamunda was appeared to kill the demons named Chand-Munda.
On the day of Vijayadashami, Lord Shri Rama killed Demon Ravana and Goddess Durga killed the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Therefore, this day is celebrated as the victory of Dharma over Adharma. On the occasion of Vijayadashami, rituals like Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja, Simollanghana etc. are performed.
Since ancient times, Ayudha Puja is performed on the occasion of Mahanavami of Maha Navratri. According to religious beliefs, on this day Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura after a fierce nine-day war. In South India, this festival is also celebrated as Saraswati Puja.
This page provides details of nine types of leaves used during Durga Puja, which are called Navapatrika. The worship of Goddess Durga by nine leaves is known as Navapatrika Puja. Bengal This festival is popular by the name of Kalabau Puja.
Ambe Tu Hai Jagadambe Kali is the most prevalent and popular aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga. This aarti is also sung in daily worship including on various occasions related to Mother Goddess. This aarti is very sweet and melodious and its singing pleases the Mother Goddess.
Shri Durga Chalisa is a prayer consisting of 40 verses dedicated to Goddess Durga, reciting it with devotion pleases the Mother Goddess and bestows her blessings. Goddess Durga is one of the supreme goddesses of Hindu religion. By the grace of Goddess Durga, devotees gain strength, courage and bravery.
Here is the list of 108 names of Goddess Durga, these 108 names are also known as Ashtottara Shatnamavali. These 108 names of Mother Goddess provide peace and joy. Reciting these 108 names daily increases enthusiasm and joy along with the blessings of the Goddess Durga.
Here is the list Durga Saptashati all chapters. Shri Durga Saptashati is a famous scripture dedicated to Goddess Durga divided into 700 verses and 13 chapters, which originates from the Markandeya Purana written by sage Markandeya. By reciting Durga Saptashati, the seeker attains various Siddhis and finally attains salvation.
Goddess Parvati is worshiped in nine different forms like Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda etc. These nine forms of Mata Parvati are famous all over the world as Navadurga. During the Navratri festival, elaborate worship of the divine Navadurga forms of Mother Goddess is done.
The 10 main forms of Goddess Shakti are worshipped as Dasha Mahavidya. The Dasha Mahavidyas are the presiding powers of different directions. Through the worship and Sadhana of Dasha Mahavidya, spiritual seekers attain various types of Siddhis.
Here are attractive greetings and e-cards for Durga Puja to send to your friends and family on this auspicious occasion. These greetings and e-cards have been published in both Hindi and English languages with beautiful pictures of Goddess Durga.
Here, greetings and e-cards for Navratri festival dedicated to Goddess Durga have been given, through which you can send the best wishes of this holy festival of Navratri to your friends and loved ones. These greetings are available with beautiful pictures of the Goddess.
Here the method of making beautiful Alpana designs of Bengal has been presented step by step through pictures. Under the ancient cultural tradition, rangolis made with different colors are known as Alpana. Alpana is made on important auspicious occasions.
The complete Ghatasthapana Vidhi is provided here in detail. Ghatasthapana is a major and essential part of Navratri festival. On the first day of Navratri, Mother Goddess is invoked in the Kalash through Ghatasthapana. Only after this Navratri worship and fasting begins.
Here a pictorial description of 7 types of grains used during Navratri is given, which are collectively known as Saptadhyaya. Under Saptadhyanya, grains like barley, sesame, paddy, Moong and Kangni etc. have been included, which are very dear to Mother Goddess.
Here is a detailed method of offering Pushpanjali with the mantra at the time of Durga Puja has been provided. The act of joining the palms of both the hands and offering flowers in them is called Pushpanjali. In many major temples of Goddess Durga, flowers are regularly offered on every Saptami, Ashtami and Navami Tithi.
Dhunuchi dance is a very popular dance performed during Durga Puja. Under the Dhunuchi dance, one dances in front of Goddess Durga carrying burning incense in an earthen Dhunachi in both hands. A traditional musical instrument called Dhak is also used for dance.
Here the detailed Shodashopachara Durga Puja Vidhi for doing Durga Puja during Navratri is described. Goddess Durga is worshipped through sixteen stepsc during Shodashopachara puja. One attains happiness, peace and prosperity by worshiping Goddess Durga.
