Mahashtami is always special to every household or committee that organizes Durga Pujo. The chants of the Pushpanjali mantra echoes from all around. At the Daw household, the din and bustle is like any of the other days during the pujo. The arrangements start early in the morning and is followed by the regular pujo rituals. Ashtami is marked by Mohasnaan, followed by the usual puja.
After the Mohasnaan, the goddess is welcome by chanting the 'Hring' mantra. This is followed by the Arati and after that all members of the family, who remain on fast since morning, offer 'Pushpanjali' wearing silk clothes that maintain the sanctity of Puja rituals and silk is considered to be a pure form of cloth.
After the Mohasnaan, the goddess is welcome by chanting the 'Hring' mantra. This is followed by the Arati and after that all members of the family, who remain on fast since morning, offer 'Pushpanjali' wearing silk clothes that maintain the sanctity of Puja rituals and silk is considered to be a pure form of cloth.
The 'Pushpanjali is followed by the ritual of 'Dhuno Pora". While in many households the ritual is performed by only one lady, preferably the eldest in the family, at our pace we all perform this rite. So, married ladies in an odd number sequence sit in front of Ma, legs folded and hands rested on the knees. Balancing an earthen plate or "Shora" on the two palms and one on the head, they sit braced in a new saree and only the saree as no stitched piece of cloth is allowed. Now, while this tradition has evolved in many houses into a more comfortable sitting position and dressing, the Daws of Jorasanko have stuck to the basics. So, once they are settled, they have a wet gamcha or cloth wrapped in position on top of their head and wet slabs of mud on both palms. Straw and frankincense or dhuno is placed in the three earthen plates, the biggest placed on the heads and two more on the palms. Once ready, the straw are lit and while the priest utters sacred mantras, male members of the family put the resin in the earthen plates for each lady and the fire burns brighter and fiercer. In this position, they pray to Ma for the well-being of the family members for 5-10 minutes. After performing the ritual the family members sit on the lap of the elders and thereafter touch there feet and seek her blessings. For younger ones, they do a simple pronam.