Here's the puja vidhi, subha muhurat and mantra for Ashtami puja.
The 9-day long Navratri festival has begin and you can easily visit the zest and zeal among people. It is one of the most popular festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Navratri puja is dedicated worshiping Maa Durga and is said to confer great merits and prosperity to the observers.
Navratri is celebrated through different ways in different parts of the country. During these nine days, the Goddess Durga is celebrated through many forms --- Durga, Bhavani, Amba, Chandika, Gauri, Parvati, Mahishasuramardini and her other manifestations.
On 17th October 2018, India will celebrate the 8th day of Navratri, which is also known as Durga Ashtami or Durgashtami. Marked as Mahastami or Durgashtami, it is the second day of Durga Puja. It is one of the most important days of Durga Puja.
On the eighth day of Navratri, Goddess Maha Gauri is worshipped. It is believed that the divine light of Goddess Maha Gauri illuminates the entire universe. She is adorned in a white garb and beautifully seated on her ‘sawari' – a bull. She protects and blesses her devotees with her four hands.
Here's the puja vidhi, subha muhurat and mantra for Ashtami puja. It will attract health, wealth and prosperity in your life...
1. Maha Ashtami 2018 Puja Timings (Muhurat)
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According to Drikpanchang.com, these are the Ashtami Puja timings of Navratri 2018:
Ashtami Tithi Begins = 10:16 on 16/Oct/2018
Ashtami Tithi Ends = 12:49 on 17/Oct/2018
2. Durga Ashtami 2018 Puja Vidhi
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On the 8th day of Navratri, young unmarried girls are treated as the embodiment of Goddess Durga. They are worshipped as Kanya on this day. It is also called as Kumari Puja. In many regions of India, Kumari Puja is performed throughout the nine days of Durga Navratri. But particularly, it is preferred to be performed on Durga Ashtami.
3. Durga Ashtami 2018 Puja Vidhi
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The legendary Sandhi Puja also falls on Mahashtami. Sandhi Puja is the conclusion point and the most important part of Durga Puja.
4. Kanya Puja 2018 Puja Vidhi
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The vidhi starts by washing the feet of Kanya/s and applying ‘tika' to their forehead. Then ‘kalawa' is tied to their hands. They are fed with the puri, halwa and chane ki sabzi which should be prepared the same day.
5. Kanya Puja 2018 Puja Vidhi
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After the prasad distribution to the young girls, one may touch their feet to seek their blessings and either give them money or gifts as per choice. One should keep his/her home clean and mind peaceful while performing ‘Kanya pujan'.
The vidhi has a lot of importance as the ‘kanyas' who visit one's home are considered to be forms of Maa Durga only and their arrival is considered as auspicious and blissful.
6. Maha Gauri Mantra
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Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
The following mantra is chanted for Kanya Pujan –
मंत्राक्षरमयीं लक्ष्मीं मातृणां रूपधारिणीम्।
नवदुर्गात्मिकां साक्षात् कन्यामावाहयाम्यहम्।।
जगत्पूज्ये जगद्वन्द्ये सर्वशक्तिस्वरुपिणि।
पूजां गृहाण कौमारि जगन्मातर्नमोस्तु ते।।
