Durga Puja Fast

Devotees of Goddess Durga observe fast on the occasion of nine-day-long Durga Puja celebrations every year with full faith and sincerity. The purpose of observing fast is to propitiate Durga Ma and seek her divine blessings. Having been religiously carried out since ages during the festival of Navratri or Durga Puja, the fast has become an intrinsic part of the festival.

Purpose of Observing Fast

Hindus have high regards for Goddess Durga whom they look upon as Ma or Mother of all. Fast to them is a denial of the physical needs of the body and a means to attain spiritual gains besides blessings of the Mother Goddess. Hindus sincerely believe that fasting helps in establishing a harmonious coordination between body and soul. Besides, fasting is also considered to be good for the body. It helps to keep body healthy by giving digestive organs some rest and cleansing the body of toxic materials.

Durga Puja Fast Rituals

The custom of observing Durga Puja Fast is particularly prevalent in Northern India. In the state of Punjab people observe fast for seven days of the nine-day-long Durga Puja Festival. The fast is broken only on the ashtami or navmi day. Some devotees of Durga Ma consume only milk during the fasting days while some only live on fruits. Some devotees observe ‘Ekana’ which means that they take one complete meal during the day. Non-vegetarian food, intoxicating substances and other forms of entertainment are completely avoided during the fasting days. Men observing fast are not supposed to shave. Some also believe in sleeping on the ground and thereby deny themselves all luxuries and comforts.

Fasting during Durga Puja festival is also quite popular in the state of West Bengal and several other Southern states. At the end of the fasting period devotees feed beggars and worship little girls who spell the Shakti of Mother Goddess.

At several places there is a tradition of sowing barley seeds during the Durga Puja fasting period. In this a small bed of mud is prepared in a little container and barley seeds are sown in it. This is placed in the Puja room and cared for during the fasting period. At the end of the fast the shoots reach a height of 3-5 inches. These are pulled out and given to devotees as form of blessings.

Modern Fasting Trends

It is interesting to note that the present generation has retained the custom of fasting during Durga Puja. Though many observe fast in its true meaning some have molded it suit their taste buds. Rush of people in the stall selling vrat (fast) ki chaat and vrat ki namkeen is a common site especially in metropolitan cities. Restaurants too offer a special menu to those observing Navratri fast. While many look at the changing trends with skepticism others feel that such transformation does not matter a lot as long as people have faith in Durga Ma.

Durga Sahasranamam

On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja chant Shri Durga Sahasranamam with full faith and sincerity and invoke the blessings and good wishes of Durga Ma.

108 Names of Durga Puja

Name-Meaning

Durga- The Inaccessible
Devi - The Diety
Tribhuvaneshwari - Goddess of The Three Worlds
Yashodagarba Sambhoota
Emerging From Yashoda's Womb
Narayanavarapriya-Fond of Narayana's Boons
Nandagopakulajata-Daughter Of The Nandagopa Race
Mangalya-Auspicious
Kulavardhini-Developer Of The Race
Kamsavidravanakari-Threatened Kamsa
Asurakshayamkari-Reducer Of The Number Of Demons
Shilathata Vinikshibda-At Birth,Slammed By Kamsa
Akashagamini-Flew In The Sky
Vasudevabhagini-Sister Of Vasudeva
Divamalya Vibhooshita-Adorned With Beautiful Garlands
Divyambaradhara-Beautifully Robed
Khadgaketaka Dharini-Holder Of Sword And Shield
Shiva-Auspicious
Papadharini-Bearer Of Others' Sins
Varada-Granter Of Boons
Krishna-Sister Of Krishna
Kumari-Young Girl
Brahmacharini-Seeker Of Brahman
Balarkasadrushakara-Like The Rising Sun
Purnachandra Nibhanana-Beautiful Like The Full Moon
Chaturbhuja-Four-Armed
Chaturvakttra-Four-Faced
Peenashroni Payodhara-Large Bosomed
Mayoora Pichhavalaya-Wearer Of Peacock-Feathered Bangles
Keyurangadadharini-Bejewelled With Armlets And Bracelets
Krishnachhavisama-Like Krishna's Radiance
Krishna-Dark-Complexioned
Sankarshanasamanana-Equal To Sankarshana
Indradhwaja Samabahudharini-With Shoulders Like Indra's Flag
Patradharini-Vessel-Holder
Pankajadharini-Lotus-Holder
Kanttadhara-Holder of Shiva's Neck
Pashadharini-Holder Of Rope
Dhanurdharini-Holder Of Bow
Mahachakradharini-Holder Of Chakra
Vividayudhadhara-Bearer Of Various Weapons
Kundalapurnakarna Vibhooshita-Wearer Of Earrings Covering The Ears
Chandravispardimukha-Beautiful Like The Moon
Mukutavirajita-Shining With Crown Adorned
Shikhipichhadwaja Virajita-Having Peacock-Feathered Flag
Kaumaravratadhara-Observer Of Fasts Like Young Girls Do
Tridivabhavayirtri-Goddess Of The Three Worlds
Tridashapujita-The Goddess Of The Celestials
Trailokyarakshini-Protector Of The Three Worlds
Mahishasuranashini-Destroyer Of Mahisha
Prasanna-Cheerful
Surashreshtta-Supreme Among The Celestials
Shiva-Shiva's Half
Jaya-Victorious
Vijaya-Conqueror
Sangramajayaprada-Granter Of Victory In The War
Varada-Bestower
Vindhyavasini`-Resident Of The Vindhyas
Kali-Dark-Complexioned
Kali-Goddess Of Death
Mahakali-Wife Of Mahakala
Seedupriya-Fond Of Drinks
Mamsapriya-Fond Of Flesh
Pashupriya-Fond Of All Beings
Bhootanushruta-Well-Wisher Of Bhootaganas
Varada-Bestower
Kamacharini-Acting On One's Own Accord
Papaharini-Destroyer Of Sins
Kirti-Famed
Shree-Auspicious
Dhruti-Valiant
Siddhi-Successful
Hri-Holy Chant Of Hymns
Vidhya-Wisdom
Santati-Granter Of Issues
Mati-Wise
Sandhya-Twilight
Ratri-Night
Prabha-Dawn
Nitya-Eternal
Jyotsana-Radiant Like Flames
Kantha-Radiant
Khama-Embodiment Of Forgiveness
Daya-Compassionate
Bandhananashini-Detacher Of Attachments
Mohanashini-Destroyer Of Desires
Putrapamrityunashini-Sustainer Of Son's Untimely Death
Dhanakshayanashini-Controller Of Wealth Decrease
Vyadhinashini-Vanquisher Of Ailments
Mruthyunashini-Destroyer Of Death
Bhayanashini-Remover Of Fear
Padmapatrakshi-Eyes Like The Lotus Leaf
Durga-Remover Of Distress
Sharanya-Granter Of Refuge
Bhaktavatsala-Lover Of Devotees
Saukhyada-Bestower Of Well-Being
Arogyada-Granter Of Good Health
Rajyada-Bestower Of Kingdom
Ayurda-Granter Of Longevity
Vapurda-Granter Of Beautiful Appearance
Sutada-Granter Of Issues
Pravasarakshika-Protector Of Travellers
Nagararakshika-Protector Of Land
Sangramarakshika-Protector Of Wars
Shatrusankata Rakshika-Protector From Distress Caused By Foes
Ataviduhkhandhara Rakshika-Protector From Ignorance And Distress
Sagaragirirakshika-Protector Of Seas And Hills
Sarvakaryasiddhi Pradayika-Granter Of Success In All Attempts
Durga-Deity Durga

What the epics say - 'Akalbodhan'

The worship of Devi Durga in the month of Ashwin is called 'Akalbodhan'- an uncustomary time for commencement of the worship. It is so called since the period of this worship differs from the conventional period (during the spring - 'Basanta'). Ramayana says that when Rama was engaged in the fierce battle with Ravana, he wanted to secure the blessings of victory from Devi Durga. He held the puja to evoke the goddess during autumn to his dire plight, thereby worshiping Durga untimely (in Akal). Hence this puja is called Akalbodhon.

It was customary to worship Durga with 100 neel kamals (blue lotuses). Rama could gather only 99 of them; he offered one of his eyes as a substitute of the 100th lotus. Pleased with his devotion Durga blessed him. The battle started on Shaptami and Ravana was killed at the Shandhikshan (in between) Ashtami and Navami; he was cremated on Dashami. Therefore the four days of the puja that we celebrate ends in the triumph of the good over evil.