Durga Devi, Kooshamanda Temple, Varanasi

 Lord Kartikeya narrated, once there was a Demon named Durgasur who underwent intense prayers for several long years and achieved the powers whereby no man could defeat him. Due to this and on account of his sheer arrogance he began tormenting all religious people, he got several worlds (Bhoo Lok, Swarg Lok etc.) under his control.He destroyed various Gurukuls (residential schools), Yagya Shala (places where Yagya/fire rituals were performed), imprisoned various religious Heads, imprisoned various Rishi Patnis (wives of sages). Rivers started flowing in wrong direction, crops started giving different kinds of yields.

All the devas and human beings approached Lord Shiva and sought refuge. Lord Shiva knew about the powers of Durgasura especially that the latter could not be killed by a Man. He hinted the Devi to do the needful.

Devi sent her emissary, Kalratri, alongwith a few other ladies to warn Durgasur. Kalratri reached Durgasur’s abode and passed on the message. She further asked him to refrain from tormenting religious people, return the land etc. grabbed by him and go elsewhere, otherwise Goddess Devi would certainly slay him. With utter arrogance Durgasur asked his warriors to capture Kalratri and imprison her.

When the warriors approached her, Kalratri exhaled with a roar which produced jets of fire balls and thousands of the warriors were killed. This further infuriated Durgasur, who ordered more warriors to chase her. Kalratri immediately flew through the sky, reached Goddess’s abode near Vindhyachal mountains and reported the entire happenings to Goddess.

Soon Durgasur arrived at the place where Goddess was stationed and a fierce war ensued. In the process, Devi released all her Shaktis which took form of various female warriors (with extreme powers).

The battle has been described in detail in Kashi Khand. Here we may suffice it to say that Goddess, with her extreme powers, killed Durgasur and all his deputies. There was extreme joy in the entire world and peace and happiness returned.

All devas and other learned people praised Goddess by reciting Vajra Panchakam. Goddess was pleased and assumed the name of Durga Devi (on account of slaying Durgasur). Goddess Durga told the people that devotees should recite Vajra Panchakam which will help them in overcoming any sort of obstacles.

On Asthami and Chaturdasi, especially if Tuesday combines with the above days, devotees should worship Durga Devi in Kashi. Goddess will bless devotees with purity in thoughts and deeds. Devotees should perform various kinds of poojas to please Durga Devi. In Sharad Navaratri and Vasanth Navaratri, devotees should undertake Yatra of Durga Devi.

During Navratri, devotees should take bath in Durga Kund and worship Durga Devi without fail. By this act, the devotee will cleanse all sins accumulated over his entire life time.