Maha Saptami being celebrated across country

Maha Saptami, the second day of the five-day Sharadiyo Durga Puja, is being celebrated across the country on Thursday amid due religious fervor and gaiety.

The occasion of Maha Saptami is observed on the seventh day of Navratri and the second day of Durga Puja. This year, according to the panchang, the auspicious days of Maha Astami and Maha Saptami are being celebrated on the same days.

According to Drik Panchang, Saptami and Ashtami will be celebrated on October 10. The Saptami tithi will last till 12:31 pm on Thursday. After that, Ashtami will be celebrated. As per panchang, the Atiganda yoga is up to 4:37 am on October 11. Meanwhile, Rahu Kalam is from 1:35 pm to 3:02 pm, and Bhadra from 12:31 pm to 12:24 am on October 11.

Maha Saptami during Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations holds much significance for Durga’s devotees. On this day, Kalaratri - one of the divine incarnations of Durga - is worshipped. Also known as Goddess Shubhankari, devotees worship her because she can destroy all darkness and bring peace. She also eliminates the harmful effects of Shani on her devotees’ lives and brings them happiness.

Navapatrika, Mahasnan, and Pran Pratishtha are some of the important rituals of the festival. During Navapatrika, nine plants are tied together and taken to the river Ganges for a bath before sunrise. They are turmeric, bel, Ashoka, Jayanti, pomegranate, banana, paddy, colocasia, and arum. They represent the 8 goddesses that the Goddess Durga created to be her warriors in the battle against Mahishasura, and the ninth plant represents the goddess herself.

During Mahasnan, devotees place a mirror in front of Durga’s idol, and then the mirror is bathed. Here, the mirror is treated as the personification of the Goddess Durga.
Meanwhile, during Pran Pratishtha, a pot is filled with holy water and covered with a coconut surrounded by five mango leaves. It is placed in front of the idol of the Goddess. Then, it is consecrated by a priest with the spirit of the Goddess while chanting divine hymns. After this, the Goddess is worshipped using 16 special items.