Durga Devi Alankaram: Ashtami Puja Vidhi and Stotram

Quick answer: On Ashtami, the eighth day of Sharannavaratri, Sri Kanaka Durga on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada gives darshan in the Sri Durga Devi alankaram. Durgashtami 2026 falls on Monday 19 October in India (Sunday 18 October in the USA and UK). Below are the legend, the Sarvamangala stotram, a Durga Devi puja vidhi in Telugu and the Apaduddharaka stotram.

Sri Durga Devi alankaram on Indrakeeladri

On the sacred day of Ashtami, Jagajjanani Sri Kanaka Durgamma, who resides on Indrakeeladri, blesses devotees in the alankaram of Sri Durga Devi. Durga Devi is the form of Parashakti that removes every durgati (misfortune) and always protects her devotees. She is worshipped as the Mother of the world who destroys evil forces and protects dharma.

According to the Puranas, Durga Devi is the great Shakti who destroyed the demon Durgama (Durgamasura), the tormentor of the worlds. Having slain him and removed the miseries he caused, she shone forth as Durga and, as temple tradition holds, the Mother herself manifested on Keeladri as Durga Devi. The phrase "Durge durgati nashini" (O Durga, destroyer of misfortune) is believed to bring auspiciousness to devotees.

She is the divine Mother who, with compassion, guides people caught in worldly bonds and grants her devotees prosperity, joy, peace and spiritual progress. Devotees believe that worshipping the Mother, who shines with the brilliance of a crore suns, with devotion removes troubles from enemies, brings success in undertakings and victory in life. Darshan of the divine Sri Durgamma is held to bring every kind of good.

Sri Durga Devi stotram: Sarvamangala Mangalye

సర్వమంగళ మాంగల్యే
శివే సర్వార్థ సాధికే।
శరణ్యే త్ర్యంబకే గౌరీ
నారాయణి నమోస్తుతే॥

Meaning: O auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, O Shiva (the auspicious one), who fulfils every aim, the refuge of all, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani, salutations to you.

Puja visesham for Ashtami

On this holy Ashtami day, offering the Goddess red cloth and worshipping her with red akshata and red flowers, and performing kumkumarchana with devotion, is considered especially fruitful.

Who should perform this puja, and why

The traditional belief shared with this puja vidhi is that worshipping the Goddess properly on this day lessens the severity of doshas in a horoscope linked to Mars (Kuja), Rahu and a weak or debilitated Moon, and so gives relief from sudden dangers. Devotees believe it eases marital problems and family discord, helps free a person from addictions associated with Rahu, and removes delays in marriage.

The same tradition holds that people troubled by deep anxiety, fear or low mood benefit greatly from worshipping Durga Devi on this day. Prayer can bring comfort and strength; if you or someone close to you is struggling with depression, severe anxiety or other mental-health difficulties, please also speak to a doctor or counsellor.

Sri Durga Devi puja vidhi (in Telugu)

This is a simple home puja for Sharannavaratri Ashtami. Prepare a picture or idol of the Goddess, water, akshata (rice with turmeric or kumkum), sandal paste (gandham), red flowers and kumkum. If you wish, say the special Durgashtami puja sankalpam before you begin.

1. Ganesha prayer

శుక్లాంబరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం
ప్రసన్నవదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వవిఘ్నోపశాంతయే

Meaning: Meditate on the one clad in white, all-pervading, bright as the moon, four-armed and with a gracious face, for the removal of all obstacles.

2. Avahana and upacharas

Invoke the Goddess and offer her a seat, water for the feet and hands, water to sip and for bathing, cloth, sandal paste and akshata. The words in brackets tell you what to offer at each line.

శ్రీ దుర్గా దేవియే నమః ధ్యాయామి, ఆవాహయామి, నవరత్న ఖచిత సింహాసనం సమర్పయామి.
శ్రీ దుర్గా దేవియే నమః పాదయోః పాద్యం సమర్పయామి (నీళ్ళు చల్లవలెను)
శ్రీ దుర్గా దేవియే నమః హస్తయోః అర్ఘ్యం సమర్పయామి (నీళ్ళు చల్లవలెను)
ముఖే శుద్ధాచమనీయం సమర్పయామి, శుద్ధోదకస్నానం సమర్పయామి (నీళ్ళు చల్లవలెను)
శ్రీ దుర్గా దేవియే నమః వస్త్రయుగ్మం సమర్పయామి (అక్షతలు చల్లవలెను)
శ్రీ దుర్గా దేవియే నమః దివ్య శ్రీ చందనం సమర్పయామి (గంధం చల్లవలెను)
శ్రీ దుర్గా దేవియే నమః అక్షతాన్ సమర్పయామి (అక్షతలు చల్లవలెను)

3. Dhyanam

Meditate on the Goddess with these verses, picturing her as described: red like fresh coral when she grants wealth, white as the autumn moon when she grants learning, and dark as the tamala tree when she conquers enemies, holding the sword, discus, mace, bow, arrows, trident and other weapons, the slayer of Madhu and Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Dhumralochana, Chanda and Munda, Raktabija, Shumbha and Nishumbha.

లక్ష్మీ ప్రదాన సమయే నవవిద్రుమాభాం
విద్యాప్రదాన సమయే శరదిందుశుభ్రాం
విద్వేషి వర్గవిజయేతు తమాలనీలాం
దేవీం త్రిలోకజననీం శరణం ప్రపద్యే
ఖడ్గం చక్రగదేషు చాపపరిఘాన్ శూలం భుశుండిం శిరః
శంఖం సందధతీంకరైః త్రిణయనాం సర్వాంగభూషాభృతాం
యాదేవీ మధుకైటభ ప్రశమనీ యామాహిషోన్మూలినీ
యాధూమ్రేక్షణ చండముండ దమనీ యారక్తబీజాశినీ
యాశుంభాది నిశుంభ దైత్యశమనీ యా సిద్ధలక్ష్మీఃవరా
తాంత్వాం చంద్ర కళావతంస మకుటాం చారుస్మితాం భావయే
శ్రీమహాకాళీ శ్రీమహాలక్ష్మీ శ్రీమహాసరస్వతీ స్వరూపిణీ
శ్రీదుర్గా పరాదేవ్యై నమః

4. Anga puja

In anga puja the Goddess is worshipped limb by limb, from her feet to her head, offering akshata or flowers with each name.

ఓం దుర్గాయై నమః పాదౌ పూజయామి
ఓం గిరిజాయై నమః గుల్ఫౌ పూజయామి
ఓం అపర్ణాయై నమః జానునీ పూజయామి
ఓం హరిప్రియాయై నమః ఊరూ పూజయామి
ఓం పార్వత్యై నమః కటిం పూజయామి
ఓం ఆర్యాయై నమః నాభిం పూజయామి
ఓం జగన్మాత్రే నమః ఉదరం పూజయామి
ఓం మంగళాయై నమః కుక్షిం పూజయామి
ఓం శివాయై నమః హృదయం పూజయామి
ఓం మహేశ్వర్యై నమః కంఠం పూజయామి
ఓం విశ్వవంద్యాయై నమః స్కంధౌ పూజయామి
ఓం కాళ్యై నమః బాహూ పూజయామి
ఓం ఆద్యాయై నమః హస్తౌ పూజయామి
ఓం వరదాయై నమః ముఖం పూజయామి
ఓం సువణ్యై నమః నాసికం పూజయామి
ఓం కమలాక్ష్యై నమః నేత్రే పూజయామి
ఓం అంబికాయై నమః శిరః పూజయామి
ఓం దేవ్యై నమః సర్వాణ్యంగాని పూజయామి

Name of the Goddess	Worshipped at
Durga	feet
Girija	ankles
Aparna	knees
Haripriya	thighs
Parvati	waist
Arya	navel
Jaganmata	abdomen
Mangala	sides
Shiva	heart
Maheshvari	throat
Vishvavandya	shoulders
Kali	arms
Adya	hands
Varada	face
Suvarna	nose
Kamalakshi	eyes
Ambika	head
Devi	the whole form

5. Ashtottara, Sahasranama or Saptashati

After this, it is good to recite the 108 names of Durga, the Sahasranama or the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya). If that is not possible, reciting the Sri Durga Apaduddharaka stotram below is enough.

Sri Durga Apaduddharaka stotram

This stotram is part of the Siddheshvari Tantra, in the Uma-Maheshvara samvada, the dialogue between Parvati and Parameshvara. It is the great hymn of praise that Lord Shiva taught for protection from dangers (apad). It has twelve verses and a closing verse; each of the first eight ends with the refrain "namaste jagattarini trahi durge".

Verse 1

నమస్తే శరణ్యే శివే సానుకంపే
నమస్తే జగద్వ్యాపికే విశ్వరూపే ।
నమస్తే జగద్వంద్యపాదా౽రవిందే
నమస్తే జగత్తారిణి త్రాహి దుర్గే ॥౧॥

Meaning (Telugu): శరణు ఇచ్చేదానవైన ఓ శివా (శుభకరి), దయగల దేవీ, నీకు నమస్కారం. జగత్తు అంతా వ్యాపించిన దానా, విశ్వమే రూపంగా కలదానా, నీకు నమస్కారం. లోకమంతా పూజించే పద్మం వంటి పాదాలు కలదానా, నీకు నమస్కారం. ఈ జగత్తును తరింపజేసేదానా, ఓ దుర్గా దేవీ, నన్ను రక్షించు.

Meaning: Salutations to you, O refuge of all, O auspicious Shiva, full of compassion. Salutations to you who pervade the whole world, whose form is the universe. Salutations to you whose lotus feet the whole world worships. Salutations to you who carry the world across: protect me, O Durga.

The complete stotram, with all its verses, is available from sanskritdocuments.org (Durga Apaduddhara Ashtakam), which also offers it in Telugu script. Its closing verses say that whoever reads this hymn of praise with devotion, once or at the three sandhyas, is freed from terrible danger.

Closing prayer

Jaya jaya he Mahishasuramardini! Jaya jaya Sri Durga Devi mata! Let us pray with all our hearts that the Mother's divine grace is always upon us, that all sorrows are removed, and that happiness, long life, health and prosperity come to all.

ఓం శ్రీ దుం దుర్గాదేవ్యై నమః (Om Sri Dum Durga Devyai Namah)

Frequently asked questions

Which alankaram does Kanaka Durga take on Ashtami?

On Ashtami, the eighth day of Sharannavaratri, Sri Kanaka Durga on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada gives darshan as Sri Durga Devi, the form that destroyed the demon Durgamasura. The temple announces the full alankaram schedule each year.

When is Durgashtami in 2026?

Durgashtami (Maha Ashtami) is Monday 19 October 2026 in India per Drik Panchang, and Sunday 18 October in the USA and UK. Check your local panchang or temple for the exact day where you live.

How is Durga Devi worshipped on Ashtami?

Devotees offer red cloth, red akshata and red flowers, and perform kumkumarchana with devotion. A simple home puja follows the order on this page: Ganesha prayer, dhyana, avahana and upacharas, anga puja, then the Ashtottara, Sahasranama, Saptashati or the Apaduddharaka stotram.

What is the Durga Apaduddharaka stotram?

It is a short hymn to Durga for protection in times of danger, found in the Siddheshvari Tantra as a dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara, in which Shiva teaches it to Parvati. Each verse ends with the refrain "namaste jagattarini trahi durge", "salutations to you who carry the world across; protect me, Durga".

What does 'Durge durgati nashini' mean?

It means "O Durga, destroyer of misfortune". The name Durga is linked with removing durgati, bad fortune or a difficult fate, and devotees repeat this phrase as a prayer for protection.

Can I do this puja at home abroad?

Yes. The puja vidhi needs only a picture or idol of the Goddess, water, akshata, sandal paste, red flowers and kumkum. Families abroad can follow it on their local Ashtami date and watch the Indrakeeladri alankaram online.

Editor's note (18 October 2026)

This page brings together two Telugu posts shared with HinduTone for Sharannavaratri Ashtami: the Sri Durga Devi alankaram note from Sri Sadguru Peetham, and a Durga Devi puja vidhi with the Apaduddharaka stotram. The Telugu texts are reproduced as shared, with minor spelling corrections (for example in the Ganesha shloka and the last anga puja line). Astrological benefits are given as traditional belief. The temple announces the official alankaram schedule each year; dates on this page follow Drik Panchang for India.