Significance of 108 Lotus Flowers on Ashtami of Durga Puja
During Durga Puja, the transition from ashtami(eighth day) to navami(ninth day), the period of 45 minutes, Goddess Durga is believed to take the form of Chamunda. The belief is that these are final moments of the battle between two demons Chanda and Mundo, and Ma Durga. The demons are killed in these moments.
Intense prayers are offered during this period and it is called the Sandhi Puja. 108 Lotus flowers and 108 lit lamps form a major part of the offerings made to the Goddess then. They also offer 108 Bael leaves.
Lighting lamps in Sandhi pujo when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami Tithi starts
What is the Significance of the Number ‘108’
The number 108 is considered sacred in Hindu religion. Vedic Mathematicians view 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence. This number connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. Such phenomenon is belived to be the basis of this significance.
- Malas or garlands of prayer beads have string of 108 beads (plus one for the “guru bead,” around which the other 108 beads turn like the planets around the sun).
- There are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India.
- And there are also 108 Upanishads
- Human body has 108 marma points (vital life supporting places in body)
- Natya Shastra (Scriptures for Dance) has 108 karana (movements of hands and legs).
Significance of 108 Lotus Flowers
108 lotus flowers signify the 108 names of Goddess Durga.
Flowers are an integral part of every Hindu Puja (worship) and rituals. And of all the flowers, Lotus is considered the most auspicious and sacred. Lotus represents beauty and non-attachment. The lotus plant flourishes in muddy slushy water, yet the flower rises above it without becoming dirty or wet. Lotus symbolizes how one should live without any attachment to one’s surroundings.
108 red lotuses are essential for the Sandhi puja. They are offered during the 48 minute transition from Ashtami to Navami – the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami.
“One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.”
— Bhagavad Gita 5.10
You can see my posts on Durga Puja here.
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Interesting..
Loved that picture of lotus blooms in the basket !
I learned much, today, reading your post, Indrani. This is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing this ritual and congratulations on your POTW award. Well deserved!
I like it when beliefs resonate on the level that just makes perfect sense. I mean, when you think of demons you think of all things ugly and evil. What better to defeat the ugliness of evil than true, naturally occurring beauty?
What a fantastic, and sensible ritual.
I always enjoy the Durga Puja celebrations. Now we have Diwali nowadays….life in India is a festival…
Wonderful!!!
What a lovely ritual.
x Robyn
I never knew this about the Lotus plant and it's flowers! Never touch the water? Wow…beautiful!
Congrats on your POTW
Hugs
SueAnn
Interesting post. And the photos are lovely.
I grew up in Malaysia and had a number of Indian friends, but I don't much about the culture nor religion…
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Really nice pictures, lotus flowers are fantastic, thanks for sharing this interesting celebration 🙂
Didn't know about this ritual. Thanks for sharing this. For us (in Kerala), Navrratri is only about Saraswati puja. 🙂
really wonderful
Hi Indrani! Lovely pictures, beautiful post and always learning… Great blog!!
Sorry for the absence: out one week, busy on return and then caught by the flu… 😉
Blogtrotter Two is still waiting for you in Algiers… Enjoy and have a great week!
Delightful and beautiful.
Loved the photo with the diyas….lovely!
Wonderful and colorful shots of festival. Celebrations in this time reach great heights.
Very interesting information, Idrani!!
Beautiful captures!
Have a nice day!
What an interesting post – wonderful flowers!
Thank you for all the interesting information and the beautiful pictures. I've never thought of the beauty of lotus flowers coming from muddy slushy water. What a great metaphor.
The scene is holy.
As for the bouquet, it is symbolized the happiness. . .
Thank you.
ruma
beautiful images with fascinating commentary
Amazing photographs…and always ALWAYS good to read that Gita quote.
Lovely photographs and good lines on lotus.
The photos are amazing. It is interesting to read about the different rituals around the world.
They are so lovely the Lotus flowers! And a nice celebrating I think.. 🙂
Thank you for this wise uplifting post.
Aloha from Hawaii
Comfort Spiral
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Some wonderful photos
I wasn't aware of Sandhi Pooja.. tht's such an interesting explanation.. Also, I loved the Geeta quote with which you have ended the post..
Mirra Alfassa believed that Lotus flowers symbolize power and wealth.. As with many other beautiful flowers and their decoration, Auroville premises have lovely small lotus ponds wherever there is some space.. I have one photo I particularly like, will share it with you sometime..
Really I was not aware of this Sandhi Pooja. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and explanations.
Nice impression Indrani.
have a nice weekend.
Joop
«Louis» appreciates the symbolism of the lotus rising above the dirty water without becoming soiled itself.
Always so much to learn here.. and always with beautiful images.
Beautiful photos and a very interesting explanation of Hindu beliefs.
Darryl and Ruth : )