Clay Images of West BengalDurga puja Mahastami-the eighth day Ceremonies on mahasatami (the great eighth) are the same as on saptami, including the bathing of the reflection of Durga in a mirror and the offering of the sixteen upacaras. On this day the orthodox observe a fast, except for women whose husbands or fathers are living and during the day there are athletic displays, hence it is called virastami. Durga's weapons are worshipped (astrapuja) with flowers and perfume and extensive worship is done to her attendants, the sixty-four Yoginis and her comrades in arms the eight saktis, also known as the Astanayikas (the eight consorts): Brahmani; Mahesvari; Kamesvari; Vaisnavi; Varahi; Narasinghi; Indrani; and Chamunda. Minor deities are worshipped such as the Bhairavis and Lokapalas and there is puja and feeding of kumaris or pre-pubescent girls. Clay images of the Astanayikas are sometimes placed beside the image of Durga although not in the traditional family celebrations.  On the junction of mahastami and mahanavami occurs sandhi puja which lasts forty eight minutes exactly; twenty four in mahastami and twenty four in mahanavami. Calcutta notes on sandhi puja and animal sacrifice It is considered to be the time when Ravana was killed in battle by Ramamchandra. The goddess Chamunda is worshipped with the sixteen upacaras. Chamunda is one of Kali's epithets and sometimes her clay image is worshipped during sandhi puja, being placed beside the Durga image for this particular ceremony. The sixty four Yoginis are also worshipped ad animal sacrifice is performed during the twenty four minutes of mahanavami. This is followed by anjali and arati and the ceremonies are concluded as usual. Midnight puja (ardharatri puja) is performed on mahastami and involves puja to Ugrachanda and the Astanayikas, the sixty four Yoginis, the navapatrika and Durga's weapons. Durga puja-mahanavami, the ninth day Durga puja-vijaya dasami, the tenth and final day Durga puja-immersion of the image |