Navratri celebration

====Ma Mahagauri puja and Shri Durga Asthami ====
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevayah"
Eighth day of Navratri is celebrated as Durga Ashtami. Also known as Maha Ashtami or Veerashtami, this festival i
s an auspicious day to worship the Mother Goddess. Navadevi worshippers adorn and worship the Goddess in the form of Durga Devi (Durga Devi Alankaram). This is the second day of Devi Triratra Vratam.
Durga Ashtami is the most auspicious day to perform Kanya Puja (Kumari Puja / Kanjak Puja), Suvasini Puja, Dampat Puja (worship to married couple).
Mahagowri Puja is observed as part of Navadurga Puja during Navratri. Bagalamukhi Dasamahavidya or Pitambari Dashamahavidya is worshipped by Dashamahavidya sampradaya sect. Vajreshwari Devi is the Goddess to worship on Durga Ashtami as a part of Saptamatrika Navaratri or Ashtamatrika Navaratri.
On Durga Ashtami, Bathukamma festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. This is the biggest Hindu festival in Telangana region of the state.
Sandhi Puja is one of the most important ritual during Durga Ashtami Durga Puja in Bengal. It is performed at the end of Durga Ashtami and the beginning of Maha Navami.
Maha Gouri:
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Mahagauri, also spelt as Maha Gowri, is the eighth manifestation or aspect of Navadurga. Maha Gauri is worshipped on Durgashtami or Mahashtami, the eighth day during Durga Navratri. She is always considered as eight year old girl who is also called as Kanya or Kumari.
Legend of Maha Gowri – Mahagouri Katha:
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Maha Gowri was Goddess Parvati in her previous birth. In Parvati form, she observed austere penance to get Lord Shiva s her husband. Due to her severe penance, she became black and dark in colour. Her body complexion became very dark that Siva was frightened to see her. But Lord Shiva pleased with the intention behind her dark complexion and washed her body with the holy water of Ganga. Then, she became bright and shining Mahagauri.
Mahagouri Mantra:
----------------------- 1- Ya devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Gauri Rupena Sasthita |
Namasteseya Namastaseya Namastaseya Namoh Namah ||
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ गौरी रूपेण संषिता
नमः तस्यै नमः तस्यै नमः तस्यै नमो नमः
2- Shrete Vrishe Samrudha Shretambradhara Shuchi |
Mahagauri Shubham Dghyanmahadevapramodada ||
श्वेते वृषे समारुढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः ।
महागौरी शुभं दघान्महादेवप्रमोददा ॥
Durgaasthami:
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Durgashtami, also known as Mahashtami or Virashtami, is the most important day in Durga Navratriand Durga Puja. On this day, Kumari Puja and Suhasini Pujaare performed. In Bengal, Sandhi Puja is observed at the conjunction Durgashtami and Maha Navami days.
On Durgashtami, Bathukamma Panduga, the biggest traditional festival, is celebrated in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. On Moola Nakshtram day, Goddess Kanaka Durga is decorated and worshipped in Maha Saraswati Devi alankaram.
Durgashtami – Durga Ashtami Puja
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Durgashtami Puja or Durga Ashtami pooja is observed on the eighth day during
Durga Navratri Puja. Durgashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami and Veerashtami, is celebrated on eighth day during Ashwin month (Ashwayuja Shukla Ashtami). Durgashtami is also known as Veerashtami because on this day Arjuna has taken out his Ayudha (weapons) from Shami tree. Ayudha Puja or Astra Puja is the main ritual on Durgashtami or Mahashtami day.