Maha Saptami observed today and tomorrow

Maha Saptami one of the most significant days of the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival is being observed today, Saturday (October 17). This year the Saptami tithi will continue until tomorrow.

According to Hindu religious beliefs, the day holds special significance as devotees worship Goddess Durga, seeking her blessings for strength, prosperity and the destruction of evil. Devotees will pray for peace, prosperity and well-being for their families, society and the country.

The day’s main rituals will begin early in the morning with the ceremonial bathing of Nabapatrika and its procession into the puja mandap in accordance with Hindu scriptures. Commonly known as ‘Kalabou’, Nabapatrika is prepared by tying together nine plants: banana, colocasia, turmeric, Jayanti, wood apple, pomegranate, Ashoka, mankachu and paddy.

After the prescribed bathing rituals, Nabapatrika will be placed at a designated spot inside the puja mandap.

The Nabapatrika worship reflects the deep connection between the worship of Goddess Durga and nature, particularly the plant kingdom.

According to traditional rituals, the ceremonial bathing of the deity’s reflection in a mirror is performed using various sacred waters and ritual items. This is followed by the invocation of the goddess’s divine presence through prescribed mantras and rituals, a ceremony known as Pran Pratishtha.

During the Saptami worship, Goddess Durga is offered Shodashopachara, a set of 16 traditional forms of worship. Devotees will offer prayers, flowers and food offerings and participate in the evening aarti.

Following the morning rituals, devotees will offer Pushpanjali with flowers and bel leaves at the feet of the goddess. People of all ages, including women, men and children, are expected to gather at puja mandaps to seek her blessings.

A festive atmosphere will prevail across puja mandaps throughout the day, with devotees and visitors attending religious rituals, receiving prasad and participating in various celebrations. In the evening, the mandaps will resonate with the sounds of bells, conch shells and traditional drums during the evening aarti.

According to the timings listed in the traditional almanac, the prescribed period for Saptami worship is from 7:31 AM to 9:57 AM. However, as the Saptami tithi continues until tomorrow this year, the rituals will also be performed at puja mandaps on Sunday.

-MT