Durga Ashtami Vrat Katha and Puja Method

Durgashtami, the fast of Durga is performed every month and is observed on the eight dates of Shukla Paksha or Ashtami Tithi. It is a one-day fast, which is from morning to evening. On this day the usual Maa Durga Puja is performed as per the rules and regulations mentioned in the scriptures. This fast is one of the most important fasts in Hinduism and is mainly performed to get the ultimate blessings of Maa Durga. Although Durgashtami comes every month, the most important one is during Navratri and is called Mahashtami. During Navratri, nine aspects of the deity Durga are adored. Durgashtami Puja is also called Astra Puja, as it is the day when weapons are worshipped or revered.

Durga Ashtami Puja Vidhi

• On this day, wake up early in the morning and take a bath, then purify the place of worship by adding Gangajal.

• Light a lamp in the temple of the house.

• Anoint Maa Durga with Gangajal.

• Offer Akshat, vermilion, and red flowers to the mother, and offer fruits and sweets as prasad.

• Light incense and lamps recite Durga Chalisa and then do the Aarti of the mother.

• Also, offer food to the mother. Keep in mind that only satvik things are offered.

Durgaashtami Vrat Katha

According to mythological beliefs, in ancient times, Asura Dambh had a son named Mahishasura, who had a strong desire to be immortal since childhood. To fulfill this desire, he started a rigorous penance of Brahma ji to get the boon of immortality. Brahma ji was pleased with this rigorous penance done by Mahishasura and asked him to ask for a boon of his choice, in such a situation, Mahishasura, who only wanted to be immortal, asked for a boon from Brahma ji and forced him to make himself immortal.

But Brahma ji refused to give Mahishasura the boon of immortality, saying that death after birth and birth after death is certain, so there is no such thing as immortality. After which, after listening to Brahma ji, Mahishasura expressed his desire to ask for a second boon from him and said Okay Swami, if death is certain, then give me such a boon that my death should be at the hands of a woman, apart from this no demon, human or god, no one can kill me.

After which Brahma ji gave the second boon to Mahishasura. As soon as Mahishasur got the boon from Brahma ji, he became blind in ego, and with this, his injustice increased. Free from the fear of death, he attacked the earth with his army, which caused devastation all over the earth. All living beings had to bow down in front of his power.

After, subjugating the earth and the underworld, the arrogant Mahishasur also attacked Indralok, in which he defeated Indra Dev and captured heaven as well. Troubled by Mahishasur, all the gods and goddesses went to the Tridevas i.e. Mahadev, Brahma, and Vishnu to seek help. 

On this, Vishnu ji advised to generate Goddess Shakti to end him. After which all the gods together called Goddess Shakti for help and on hearing this call, a very beautiful beauty was created from the radiance emanating from the bodies of all the gods. 

From the same radiance, Mother Adishakti appeared, whose form and radiance surprised all the gods. Himavan gave a lion to Goddess Durga, who was born with the help of the Tridevas, to ride, and similarly, all the gods present there also handed over one of their weapons to the mother, and in this way, Goddess Durga in heaven got ready for this problem.

It is believed that seeing the extremely beautiful form of the goddess, Mahishasur started getting attracted towards her and he also sent a marriage proposal to the goddess through one of his messengers. Goddess Bhagwati was extremely angry with this vile act of the arrogant Mahishasur, after which the mother challenged Mahishasur to a battle.

On hearing the challenge of war from Maa Durga, Mahishasur, who had become blind in the arrogance of the boon received from Brahma ji, got ready to fight with her. In this war, Maa Durga destroyed the entire army of Mahishasur one by one. During this, it is also believed that this war lasted for nine days. 

During this time, Mahishasura, the king of demons, tried to deceive the Goddess by assuming various forms, but all his attempts failed and Goddess Bhagwati killed Mahishasura by beheading him with her chakra. In this way, the death of Mahishasura at the hands of Goddess Bhagwati became possible.

It is believed that the festival of Durga Ashtami started from the day when Goddess Bhagwati freed Swarga Lok, Prithvi Lok, and Patal Lok from the sins of Mahishasura.

Conclusion

Ashtami has special religious significance. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Durga on Ashtami day brings happiness in life and prosperity remains. According to the Panchang, the fast of Masik Durgashtami is observed on the Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha every month. According to the belief, by worshipping on Durgashtami, Goddess Durga is pleased and takes away all the troubles of the devotees. If you want to know more about Durga Ashtami fast then talk to astrologers.