History of Goddess Durga and Maha-Ashtami

Durga puja is an important festival in Hinduism. As per Hindu scriptures, the festival marks the victory of goddess Durga in her battle against the demon (asura)Mahishasura. The nine days are celebrated as “Nava”(9) Ratri.

Another name for Durga is “Durgatinashini” which means ‘the one who eliminates suffering’. Her name thus indicates her role as the one who protects her devotees and removes evil from the world.

The birth of the goddess

Goddess Durga was believed to have been created to combat the evil demon Mahishasura. The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came together to create a powerful female form with ten arms. When Durga emerged from the waters of the holy Ganga as a spirit, she was given a physical form by all the gods put together.

Why does Devi Durga have 10 arms?

The ten arms of Lord Durga symbolize that she protects her devotees from all directions namely the eight corners and from the sky and the earth. The ten hands of Lord Durga hold in them a conch, discuss, lotus, sword, bow with arrow, trishul, mace, thunderbolt, snake and flame.

Indra gave her his vajra, Varuna gave her his conch, Agni gave her a missile or spear, Vayu gave her a bow and arrows, Vishwakarma gave her his axe and an armour, and the lord of the mountains gave her a lion.

The many incarnations of Devi Durga

There are numerous incarnations of Durga including Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Meenakshi and Kamakshi, among others. Durga is the incarnation as the all-powerful one with the combined power of all the divine beings.

The ‘vahana’ of the goddess

The Mother Goddess as a symbol of unrivalled power has one of the most impressive vahanas or vehicles. Often depicted as a lion or lioness, this animal is strength and power personified and the undisputed ruler of the jungle. The lion is thus the perfect vehicle for the awe-inspiring and all-powerful goddess. Durga stands on her lion in a fearless pose called the Abhaya Mudra or gesture of no fear, which is a sight that can fill any demon with utmost dread.

Forms of Devi Durga worshipped during Navaratri?

Over the course of the nine days the different avatars of Goddess Durga are honoured.

They are Goddess Shailputri (Day 1), Goddess Brahmacharini (Day 2), Goddess Chandraghanta (Day 3), Goddess Kushmanda (Day 4), Goddess Skandamata (Day 5), Goddess Katyayani (Day 6), Goddess Kaalratri (Day 7), Goddess Mahagauri (Day 8) and Goddess Siddhidatri (Day 9).

While, in Bengal Durga Puja literally signifies ‘a daughter visiting her parents with her children’ and hence, is celebrated as a carnival. There are Puja pandals celebrating the Puja, dhakis (drum artists) called upon for Puja, people on a shopping spree, visiting pandals and shopping outside at the pandal stalls , even enjoying the delicious food(compromising both veg and non veg meals).

This is sharply in contrast to the Navaratri observed by the Hindus particularly belonging to North India. Navaratri is observed twice a year, once during March-April which is called Chaitra Navaratri and second time during September -October, which is called Sharadiya Navaratri.

Devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga and fast during this time. Fasting, if done for all nine days, is believed to detoxify the body, provided that good amount of fruits, vegetables, milk products and unsweetened beverages are included.

Gujrat in India is popular for its traditional Garba/Dandiya dance during the nine days of Navaratri.

Thus Navaratri assumes different customs, beliefs and practices in different parts of India.

Durga Ashtami- The Eighth Day

Ashtami, in particular, is celebrated with a great passion and fervour, especially in West Bengal. Goddess Durga is worshipped while reciting mantras in a ritual known as Astra Puja. Ashtami marks the eighth day of the festival and on this auspicious day, devotees tend to observe rigorous fast, feast and worship for Goddess Durga who symbolizes strength.

Lore Behind Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Legend has it that owing to a boon bestowed upon it by Lord Brahma, Mahisasura could only be defeated by a female warrior. When Lord Indra was vanquished in the battlefield, the holy trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, created Durga and each part of her body was blessed with strength with the energies of different male Gods. On this day, Durga Ashtami, she made use of the weapons that symbolized their masculine strength to defeat Mahisasura with her trident.

In this festival, women tend to take the center stage while being a stark reminder of how women used to hold a lot more power and status in ancient India. Here are some of the many myths associated with this festival:

• In certain parts of the country, especially West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, animal sacrifices are performed at temples to commemorate the occasion.

• In South India, computers, vehicles, books, & work equipment are worshipped on the ninth day as an expression of gratitude for the blessings received in the previous year. By offering the tools of their trade to God, one commits to performing all work as worship.

• 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.

Significance of Dusshera

Why is Dussehra celebrated after Navratri?

[More reference reading on the same

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The origin of Dussehra also has its roots in the Indian epic ‘Ramayana’. It is widely held that the festival actually commemorates the killing of the great demon king of Lanka, Ravan, by Lord Rama. The epic mentions how Lord Rama, the god-incarnate, went to serve a period of exile for 14 years under the order of his father.

Along with his devoted wife Sita and his faithful brother Lakshmana, Rama faced many hardships during this period prominent among which was the abduction of Sita by the ten-headed Ravana. On a similar day as Dussehra in Satyug, Ram (the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), is said to have killed Ravan, who had abducted his wife Sita.

With brother Lakshman, follower Hanuman, and an army of monkeys on his side Rama fought a great battle for ten days to rescue his wife. Since then, the observance of Dussehra is more in admiration of Lord Rama than Goddess Durga. The word “Dussehra” can also be interpreted as “Dasa-Hara”, which stands for the cutting of the ten heads of Ravana by Lord Rama.

In Kullu, the capital town of the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, Dussehra witnesses fervid celebrations for one whole week. The history of Kullu Dussehra dates back to the 17th century when the local King Jaganand brought an idol of Lord Raghunath from Ayodhya and installed it on his throne as a mark of penance. After this Lord Raghunath came to be known as the ruling deity of the Valley.

While in Bengal, Vijayadashami celebrations include processions to a river or lake front that involve carrying idols of Devi Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, after which the images are immersed in the water for dissolution and farewell.

In northern, central and western India, the festival marks the end of “Ramlila” and remembers God Rama’s victory over the Ravan.

Why do we burn Ravana on Dussehra?

Ravan Dahan is an important part of the festival as it represents symbolic imagery of darkness losing to light. After devoting nine days of Navratri for offering prayers to Maa Durga, on the day of Dusshera or Vijayadashmi an effigy of Ravana is burned.

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