Significance Of Offering 108 Lotuses To Maa Durga

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Durga Puja is the most awaited festival of the year in India. The whole country comes together to celebrate the various avatars of Goddess Durga, to please her and receive her blessings. The festival is specic to West Bengal where it is celebrated with the huge pomp and show. The day is celebrated in remebrance of Goddess Durga's battle with the demons and then her ultimate victory.

Rituals of Durga Puja go on for five days starting from Shashti to Dashami. Fasts are observed by the ladies on all the five days. The married daughters of the house come home to celebrate the festival with their families.

The main aim of Durga Puja is to evoke the blessings of Maa Durga, who is the goddess of wealth, prosperity and knowledge. Everyone seeks the protection of the all-powerful from all the forms of evils.

There are certain rituals to be followed during Durga Puja. Maa Durga has to be worshipped by offering 108 pink lotuses to her. Here is the significance of offering 108 Lotuses to Maa Durga. Read On.

Legend Behind Offering 108 Lotuses To The Goddess

When Lord Ram was engaged in a battle with Ravana, he wanted to evoke Goddess Durga's blessings to ensure his success. But it was not customary for Goddess Durga to appear in autumn. He performed a Puja known as Akaal Bodhan to evoke the goddess.
He came to know that it is customary to worship Goddess Durga with 108 pink lotuses. He collected 107 lotuses. When he could not find the last one, he offered his eye instead. Pleased with his sacrifice, Goddess Durga appeared to bless Ram with victory.

The Flowers Signify 108 Names Of Maa Durga

Ram went for the battle and emerged victorious. Therefore, Dussehra signifies the victory of good over evil.
This was where the legend of offering 108 lotuses to worship Maa Durga started. The offering of these flowers also signifies the 108 names of Maa Durga. She represents power, strength and protection.
She has 108 names, all with different meanings to them. Maa Durga is a destroyer of sin. It is said that whoever chants all her 108 names with a pure heart is sure to be blessed by Maa Durga with victory and protection.

Another Significance Of Offering The Lotuses

Offering 108 lotuses to the goddess during the Puja is said to evoke the blessings from all the 108 forms of Maa Durga. Goddess Durga is often also depicted with it.
The idol of the goddess is seen carrying a lotus bud in her hand. It is believed that the lotus signifies the truth of life. It means that of all the bad and the beautiful that exist in the universe have been created by God and this is the eternal truth of life and it can not be escaped.