Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Matri-rupena Samsthita
To the Goddess who dwells in all beings as the Mother, we bow again and again.
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Sunday, October 18
Puja Schedule
* Schedule is tentative and subject to change. Final timings will be updated closer to the event.
What Is Maha Ashtami?
Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, is the most sacred day of Durga Puja. The Goddess is worshipped in her fiercest and most protective form, devotees offer Pushpanjali with folded hands, and the Havan, the sacred fire offering, carries the community’s prayers to the Divine Mother.
The Story of Maa Durga
The demon Mahishasura won a boon that no man or god could defeat him, and drove the gods from heaven. The gods joined their divine energies, and from that light Maa Durga was born. Shiva gave her his trident, Vishnu his discus, Indra his thunderbolt. Riding her lion, she fought Mahishasura for nine days. At the sacred moment where Ashtami meets Navami, honored as Sandhi Puja, she rose as Maa Chamunda and struck down the demons Chanda and Munda, the turning point of the battle that ended in victory on the tenth day.
Durga Puja in Odisha
A Festival of Silver, Gold and Devotion
Across Odisha, Durga Puja is one of the year’s grandest celebrations. Cuttack is world famous for its Chandi Medha and Suna Medha, the Goddess adorned in exquisite silver and gold filigree. On Ashtami the devotion is at its deepest: families rise early to offer Pushpanjali, many keep a fast until the puja is complete, and mandaps fill with the sound of the ghanta and conch late into the night.
In Puri, within the Jagannath temple itself, Maa Bimala, honored as a Shakti Peetha, receives special worship during these days, a reminder that Lord Jagannath and the Divine Mother are celebrated together.
Why Children Love Maa Durga
To children she is a heroine: ten arms, a fearless lion, and a story where courage wins. And she never comes alone. Durga Puja celebrates her homecoming with her children Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati. In Odisha, Ashtami is the day children join their parents for Pushpanjali, offering flowers to the Goddess for courage and wisdom, then gather round to watch the flames of the Havan rise, memories that stay for a lifetime.
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Celebrated Every Year at Sri Jagannath Temple, Chicago
Every year, our temple family brings the spirit of Odisha’s Durga Puja to Chicago. Grandparents, parents and children gather side by side for the Maha Ashtami Puja, the Havan, Pushpanjali and Aarti, bhog and prasad, and bhajans sung together. Everyone in the community is welcome.
Havan
Pushpanjali
Aarti
Bhog & Prasad
Bhajans
📍 Sri Jagannath Temple, 2295 Church Rd, Aurora, IL 60502
🙏 Book an Archana
Reserve an Archana or special puja for your family as part of this celebration.