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Durga Ashtami 2024 Date And Time: Navratri is a nine-day festival wherein the nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped. However, Navratri is celebrated twice every year, once during Spring in the month of March/April and once during Autumn in the month of September/October. The Navratri celebrated during spring is known as Chaitra Navratri and the Navratri celebrated during Autumn is known as Sharadiya Navratri.
This year, Sharadiya Navratri began on October 3 and will end on October 12. During the nine days of Navratri, people worship the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. The nine avatars of Maa Durga; Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
This year, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami will be celebrated on the same day. Here, take a look at the Ashtami date, time, puja vidhi, vrat katha and more.
Maha Ashtami Date and Time
Maha Ashtami will be celebrated on Friday, October 11. The Ashtami tithi will begin at 12:31 on October 10 and will end at 12:06 on October 11.
Maha Ashtami Puja Vidhi and Rituals
This is one of the most significant days of Navratri. Here, take a look at the puja vidhi and rituals performed on this day.
Kalash Sthapana
- Establish a sacred pot (Kalash) symbolizing the presence of the Goddess.
- Light a diya (lamp) throughout the day near the Kalash.
Invocation (Avahan) of Goddess Durga
- Chant mantras and offer flowers (pushpanjali) to the Goddess.
- Focus on worshipping Goddess Mahagauri, the avatar worshipped on Mahasthami.
Durga Ashtami Puja
- Take a vow (sankalp) to complete the Puja with devotion.
- Perform the 16-step worship process, including; offering water, flowers, fruits, incense and sweets (bhog) and reciting the Durga Saptashati or other Durga stotras.
Kumari Puja (Kanya Pujan)
- Worship 9 young girls (symbolizing the 9 forms of Goddess Durga).
- Wash their feet, offer them food, new clothes, and gifts.
Sandhi Puja
- This ritual marks the transition from Ashtami to Navami.
- Special offerings are made during the precise time of this transition (known as Sandhi Kaal).
Homa (Sacred Fire Ritual)
- Offer ghee, herbs and other sacred items into the fire while chanting mantras.
Mahagauri Devi Significance
Maa Mahagauri is worshipped on Ashtami. Drik Panchang says that according to Hindu mythologies, Goddess Shailputri at the age of sixteen was extremely beautiful and was blessed with fair complexion. Since she has an extremely fair complexion, she came to be known as Mahagauri Devi.
Drik Panchang says, “Goddess Mahagauri is extremely fair. Due to her fair complexion, Goddess Mahagauri is compared with the conch, the moon and the white flower of Kunda She adorns white clothes only and due to that She is also known as Shwetambardhara.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on popular beliefs. Times Now is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information and facts provided here.