Question:
We have a protima of Maa Ashtadasabhuja Mahalakshmi Durga for which Puja is done every day. During Navaratri is it necessary or essential to do a Kumbha or Ghata sthapana in addition to this? Or can we do the Puja and all Upacharams to the protima?
Swamiji says:
Of what material is the murti constructed? If it is clay, you will want to make abhishek in a bowl in front of the deity. Or it may be too messy to pour your baths over the murti even if it is sculpted from marble. That is why we establish a yantra every day in front of the murti, and make all the abhishekams to the yantra.

Question:
I am from Orissa, Bhubaneswar. We have a Shri Banadurga Devi temple here. For Navaratri, the temple celebrates 16 days puja. Why do we celebrate 16 days puja in all Devi Temples?

Swamiji says:
This is a local tradition without scriptural reference. Ask the local priest as to the origins of this tradition.