Nisha Puja

On this occasion, the worship and aarti of Goddess Mahishasuramardini Jagadamba is performed by lighting as many diyas as possible, five, eleven, twenty-one, fifty-four, one hundred and eight, at the prayer place of our homes. It believed that at least five diyas should be lighted there.^[4] In the evening of the day, a sacred Nisha Jatra of devotees is also observed.^[5] In the Mithila region of the subcontinent, a special ritual of Beltodi is also performed by the Maithil people in the region on this day.^[6]

The Nisha Puja includes a night jagaran (vigil) and worshipping Goddess Durga. The devotees in the jagaran perform different rituals to praise and please Goddess Jagdamba. During the night jagaran, recitation of Durga Saptashati, Durga Kavach, Hriday and Satnaam Paath are conducted by Brahmins or Pundit. According to adherents, reciting Durga Saptashati as per Markandeya Purana helps in pleasing Goddess Jagdamba. During the Nisha Puja, there is a provision of Panchamakara worship. In the Panchamakara Puja cow's milk, curd and ghee made from cow's milk, honey and sugar are used for rituals.^[7]

In the mid night of the Saptami day, two types of worships are conducted. They are Nisha Puja and Sandhi Puja. The Sandhi Puja refers to the time when Saptami ends and Ashtami begins. The indic term Sandhi literally means to connect.^[3]