108 Names of Durga Maa

1.   Sati - One who got burned alive

2.   Saadhvi -The Sanguine

3.   Bhavaprita - One who is loved by the universe

4.   Bhavaani - The abode of the universe

5.   Bhavamochani - The absolver of the universe

6.   Aarya - Goddess

7.   Durga - The Invincible

8.   Jaya - The Victorious

9.   Aadya - The Initial reality

10. Trinetra - One who has three-eyes

11. Shooldharini - One who holds a monodent

12. Pinaakadharini - One who holds the trident of Shiva

13. Chitra - The Picturesque

14. Chandaghanta - One who has mighty bells

15. Mahaatapa - With severe penance

16. Manah - Mind

17. Buddhi - Intelligence

18. Ahankaara - One with Pride

19. Chittarupa - One who is in thought-state

20. Chita - Death-bed

21. Chiti - The thinking mind

22. Sarvamantramayi - One who possess all the instruments of thought

23. Satta - One who is above all  

24. Satyanandasvarupini - Form of Eternal bliss

25. Ananta - One who is Infinite or beyond measure

26. Bhaavini - The Beautiful Woman

27. Bhaavya - Represents Future

28. Bhavya - With Magnificence

29. Abhavya - Improper or fear-causing

30. Sadagati - Always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)

31. Shaambhavi - Consort of Shambhu

32. Devamata - Mother Goddess

33. Chinta - Tension

34. Ratnapriya - Adorned or loved by jewels

35. Sarvavidya - Knowledgeable

36. Dakshakanya - Daughter of Daksha

37. Dakshayajñavinaashini - Destroyer of the sacrifice of Daksha

38. Aparna - One who doesn’t eat even leaves while fasting

39. Anekavarna - One who has many complexions

40. Paatala - Red in color

41. Paatalavati - Wearing red-color attire

42. Pattaambaraparidhaana - Wearing a dress made of leather

43. Kalamanjiiraranjini - Wearing a musical anklet

44. Ameyaa - One who is beyond measure

45. Vikrama - Violent

46. Krrooraa - Brutal (on demons)

47. Sundari - The Gorgeous

48. Sursundari - Extremely Beautiful

49. Vandurga - Goddess of forests

50. Maatangi - Goddess of Matanga

51. Matangamunipujita - Worshipped by Sage Matanga

52. Braahmi - Power of God Brahma

53. Maaheshvari - Power of Lord Mahesha (Shiva)

54. Aeindri - Power of God Indra

55. Kaumaari - The adolescent

56. Vaishnavi - The invincible

57. Chaamunda - Slayer of Chanda and Munda(demons)

58. Vaarahi - One who rides on Varaah

59. Lakshmi - Goddess of Wealth

60. Purushaakriti -One who takes the form of a man

61. Vimalauttkarshini -One who provides joy

62. Gyaana - Full of Knowledge

63. Kriya - One who is in action

64. Nitya - The eternal one

65. Buddhida - The bestower of wisdom

66. Bahula - One who is in various forms

67. Bahulaprema - One who is loved by all

68. Sarvavahanavahana -One who rides all vehicles

69. NishumbhaShumbhaHanani - Slayer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha 

70. MahishasuraMardini - Slayer of the bull-demon Mahishaasura

71. MadhuKaitabhaHantri - Slayer of the demon-duo Madhu and Kaitabha

72. ChandaMundaVinashini - Destroyer of the ferocious asuras Chanda and Munda

73. Sarvasuravinasha - Destroyer of all demons

74. Sarvadaanavaghaatini - Possessing the power to kill all the demons

75. Sarvashaastramayi - One who is deft in all theories

76. Satya - The truth

77. Sarvaastradhaarini - Possessor of all the missile weapons

78. Anekashastrahasta - Possessor of many hand weapons

79. AnekastraDhaarini - Possessor of many missile weapons

80. Komaari - The beautiful adolescent

81. Ekakanya - The girl child

82. Kaishori - The adolescent

83. Yuvati - The Woman

84. Yati - Ascetic, one who renounces the world

85. Apraudha - One who never gets old

86. Praudha - One who is old

87. Vriddhamaata - The old mother (loosely)

88. Balaprada - The bestower of strength

89. Mahodari - One who has huge belly which stores the universe

90. Muktakesha - One who has open tresses

91. Ghorarupa - Having a fierce outlook

92. Mahaabala - Having immense strength

93. Agnijwaala - One who is poignant like fire

94. Raudramukhi - One who has a fierce face like destroyer Rudra

95. Kaalaratri - Goddess who is black like night

96. Tapasvini - one who is engaged in penance

97. Narayani - The destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)

98. Bhadrakaali Fierce form of Kali

99. Vishnumaya Spell of Lord Vishnu

100. Jalodari - Abode of the ethereal universe

101. Shivadooti - Ambassador of Lord Shiva

102. Karaali - The Violent

103. Ananta - The Infinite

104. Parameshvari - The Ultimate Goddess

105. Katyayani -One who is worshipped by sage Katyanan

106. Savitri - Daughter of the Sun God Savitr

107. Pratyaksha - One who is real

108. Brahmavaadini One who is present everywhere 

Sharad Navratri 2011/Durga Maa Puja

Durga Maa

Jai Mata Di.

Navratri is the supreme vow with regard to its meritorious effects. This worship of Durga Maa blesses the devotees anything they want. However one should not keep an artificial hope to be fulfilled.

Hawan, Kumari Pujan and feasting of the brahmanas and chanting of the hymns are the requirements of Navratri vrat. On observing this Vrata, one gets riches, crops, sons and grandsons, prosperity and happiness, longevity, health and heaven and even the final beatitude. Those who did not, in their previous births, perform this meritorious vow; they become diseased, poor and devoid of sons in their present births.

It is believed that the man who has failed to worship the Goddess of the whole universe, Who fructifies all the pursuits of human life, Who destroys all the troubles, pains and miseries, and the person who is suspicious to Bhagabati Mata, that fellow is sure to pass his days in this world, wretched, impoverished, and surrounded by his enemies on all sides.

In 2011 the Navratri vrat will commence from 28^th September to 5^th October, 6^th October being the Dusshera/ Dashamee/ the tenth day. According to Hindu calendar the vow will start from Pratipada which is the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Aswina.

Wish you a happy Sharad Navratri 2011

The Goddess is worshipped in nine incarnations in these nine days according to this chant of Shree Durga Saptasati.

The Chant –

“Prathamam Shailaputri cha, dvitiiyam Brahmachaarini,

  tritiiyam Chandraghanteti, Kushmaandeti chaturtakam,

  panchamam Skandamaateti, shashtam Kaatyaayani cha,

  saptamam Kaalaraatriti, Maha-Gauriti chaastamam,

  navamam Siddhidaatri cha; Nava-Durgaaha prakirtitaaha."

Mamataamayee Karunaamayee my Durga Maa - Himanshu Guru

Prathami – The first day – Shailaputri Maa.

Dvitiya – The second day – Bramacharini Maa

Tritiya – The third day – Chandraghanta Maa

Chaturthi – The fourth day – Kushmaandaa Maa

Panchami – The fifth day – Skandamata Maa

Sasthi – The sixth day – Kaatyaayani Maa

Saptami – The seventh day – Kaalaraatri Maa

Astami – The eighth day – Maha-Gouri Maa

Navami – The ninth day – Siddhidaatri Maa

Jay Mata Di

A simple way to undergo the Navratri vrat/vow :

Be on fasting for the whole 9 days if you can only having sacred water, milk and fruits. If you cannot do, fast for 1^st, 8^th and 9^th day as described. If still you cannot fast on 7^th, 8^th and 9^th day. Still if you cannot fast only for 8^th and 9^th day. Still if you cannot fast only for the 8^th day. Avoid rice and rice product and salt from your food. Other sacred and pure foods you can take. Lastly if you cannot do any of these then only do worship on the 8^th day/Astami with Deep, dhup, arati, naivedya, puspa/flower etc. with devotion.

Whatever you do faith in the Goddess Mother Durga and your hearty devotion will please Maa the best. Feel that She is your mother and you need to make her happy.

MahishaMardini Durga Maa

We strongly oppose animal sacrifice during the worship of Durga Maa. She does not need the blood of the animals that She has created. This is a habit performed by some human beings. One need not fear the affectionate Mother Goddess for this act of some human beings. She does not want this.

During the 9 days of Navratri Maa gets pleased if one can chant, listen, utter or sing her names. That may be Her 32 names, Her 108 names and Her 1008 names. If you have got the names by heart you can silently chant those names simultaneously doing other works but keeping the mind in Her.

Sarbamangala maangalye Shive Sarbaarthasaadhike, saranye trayambake Gouri Naaraayani Namostute

The chance is at your doorstep. Take the benefit of being blessed by the Supreme Power of this Universe Shree Durga Maa on the eve of this Sharad Navratri.

Viswakarma Puja 2011

Lord Viswakarma is the divine Engineer, Craftsman, architect, smith and carpenter of this Universe as per Hindu Mythology. He is worshipped as the God of art and sculpture. The universe is believed to be fabricated by Him.

In 2011, the Viswakarma Puja will be observed on 17th September, the 'Kanya Sankranti' day. The worship is celebrated mainly in factories, mines, workshops, Engineering Colleges and other places related to engineering, carpentry, craftsmanship etc.

On that day tools are not used and work is ceased in respect of the God as a token of devotion. Rather the machines and tools are also worshipped with the deity for safe working conditions and success in their respective artisans.

In Odisha all the vehicles starting from bicycle to heavy load trucks, buses, four wheelers and two wheelers are also worshipped on this day, as the people think that the God is also present in these vehicles. They pray through their worship to save them from any accidents and mechanical failures.

The puja pendals are usually made within the premises of the workplace.Idols of Lord Viswakarma are placed on colorfully decorated pendals and worshipped with Chanting from Veda by the esteemed expert (Pujari) followed by hawan, puspanjali pradan, arati and prasad sevana. This annual celebration day is a no work day and normally entertainment activities are performed to relax.

The God has four hands, carrying a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsman's tools and worshipped along with his carrier, the elephant.

Legend says Lord Viswakarma has built Swarga, Martya, Patala, Bajra ( the famous weapon of Lord Indra), Lanka ( the place of Ravana) and Dwarka, the place of Shree Krishna, Indraprastha, the enchanting place of the Pandavas and all the arts in this universe.

According to Mahabharata and Harivamsa Purana, he is the son of the Vasu Prabhasa and Yoga-siddha.The meaning of Viswa is Universe and Karma indicates to creator. Hence Lord Viswakarma is believed to be the builder of the whole universe.

We offer our  devotion to Lord Viswakarma on the eve of Viswakarma Puja/Pooja 2011 and anxiously wait for his divine blessings.