Durga Ashtami is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Ashtami of Shukla Paksha is celebrated as Durga Puja Ashtami. On this day devotees observe fast and offer prayers in the evening. This day is considered one of the most important days of Navratri. It is believed that the devotees who worship Durga Mata by keeping a fast on this day, get peace, wealth and happiness.

Durga Maha Ashtami is celebrated with full devotion across the country. Mostly this festival is celebrated in the northern and western regions of India. Durga Ashtami Vrat is a very important festival in Hinduism.

On this day everyone worships Chamunda, an avatar of Goddess Shakti. It is said in the old history that on this day Mata incarnated and killed Mahishasura’s demon associates Chanda, Munda and Raktabeej.

Keep These Rules In Mind During Worship In Navratri

Worship of Mata Goddess in Navratri brings happiness and prosperity to the house. Negative energy goes away. Just as the smoke of Havan kills even microscopic germs that harm health! In the same way, during the days of Navratri, the atmosphere of the house remains devotional, calm and pure with the Akhand Jyoti. There are also some special rules in the scriptures for worshipping the Mother Goddess, if these are not followed, then the Goddess becomes angry, which leads to poverty in the house.

Things to keep in mind during worship

• Rice has a special significance during any worship. During this, keep in mind that the rice is good, that is, the rice should not be broken. Offering rice yellow with turmeric is considered very auspicious.
• The lamp should not be extinguished in the middle of the worship. If this happens, the full fruit of worship is not obtained.
• To make Goddess Durga happy, red coloured clothes and complete makeup should be offered.
• The seat on which you sit during worship should not be moved by the feet. The seat should be moved with the hands.
• In any type of worship, it is also necessary to meditate on the family deity, family deity, Vastu deity of the house, village deity etc. All these should also be worshipped.
• By lighting a lamp of ghee in the house every day, many Vastu defects of the house are removed.
• Surya, Ganesha, Durga, Shiva and Vishnu are called Panchdev. They should be compulsorily worshipped in all works. It is necessary to meditate on these Panchdevs while worshipping daily. It brings Lakshmi grace and prosperity.
• The lamp should always be placed in front of the idol of the Goddess or God. Also, white cotton light should be used for ghee lamps. Never light a broken lamp in worship. The broken material is inauspicious in religious works.
• Whenever any special worship is done at home or in the temple, then along with your presiding deity, the worship of Swastika, Kalash, Navagraha Devta, Panch Lokpal, Shodash Matrika, Sapt Matrika should also be done compulsorily.
• Do not worship by keeping any leather item with you. Take special care of cleanliness at the place of worship

Durga Ashtami 2021 Puja Vidhi

According to the Drik Panchang, Devotees wake up early in the morning and take bath. This is done so that the body can be freed from impure thoughts before the holy ceremonies. After that, light a big lamp of Akhand Jyoti by installing a picture of Maa Durga. Then set up nine small pots. The nine powers of Durga are invoked in them. All the nine forms of the Goddess are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Flowers, fruits and coconut are offered to Mata Durga among other things. When performing the aarti of Mata, ring the bell and conch etc. Dress up little girls (Kanjake) as goddesses and worship them as ‘Kumari Puja’. All these activities are used to please Mahagauri. On this day barley, which is a grain, is sown in earthen pots etc. It is considered a symbol of wealth.

The house is not left empty on this day, although it happens in the entire Navratri. If a person wishes to observe a fast and is not medically fit to do so! So they can consume fruits and milk. Do aarti and worship of mata twice in the morning and evening. Your fast ends after sunset. The Drik Panchang states, the last 24 minutes after Ashtami ends and the first 24 minutes after Navami begins is called Sandhi moment or Kaal. This time of Sandhi Kaal is considered most auspicious for Durga Puja.