Durga Ashtami Vrat is an important Hindu ritual dedicated to Goddess Shakti (Goddess Durga). The monthly Durga Ashtami is a monthly event celebrated on the Ashtami date (8th day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of every month on the Hindu calendar.
Of all the days of Durga Ashtami, the Ashtami of the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month is the most popular and is called Maha Ashtami or simply Durgashtami. Durga Ashtami falls during the last 5 days of the 9-day Navratri festival. Durgashtami is on 24 October, Saturday during Durga Puja 2020.
Durga Ashtami Vrat May 2020 – Tithi Time
Ashtami Date Time May 29, 09:55 PM – May 30, 07:57 PM
On this day the weapons of Goddess Durga are worshiped and the festival is known as Astra Puja. This day is also known as ‘ Veerashthmi’ due to the performance of weapons and other forms of martial arts. Hindu devotees worship Goddess Durga and keep a stern fast to get her divine blessings.
Durga Ashtami fast is celebrated with full devotion in the northern and western regions of India. In some regions of Andhra Pradesh, Durga Ashtami is celebrated as ‘Bathukamma Panduga’. Durga Ashtami Vrat is an important philosophy for the followers of Hinduism.
Rituals during Durga Ashtami Vrat
On the day of Durga Ashtami, devotees pray to Goddess Durga. They wake up early in the morning and make several offerings to the goddess in the form of flowers, sandalwood, and sunlight. In some places, Kumari Puja is also performed on the day of Durga Ashtami. Hindus worship girls between the ages of 6-12 as the Kanya (virgin) form of Goddess Durga. Special ‘Naivedyam’ is designed to be offered to the Goddess.
Fasting is an important ritual of the day. Those following the Durga Ashtami fast observe food or drink throughout the day. Fasting is celebrated by men and women alike. Durga Ashtami Vrat is celebrated to get spiritual benefits and blessings of Goddess Durga. Some devotees keep fast by drinking only milk or eating fruits. On this day, the consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcohol is completely banned. Followers of Durga Ashtami Vrat should sleep on the floor and stay away from amenities.
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It is also customary to sow barley seeds in some areas of Western India. After the seeds reach a height of 3–5 inches they are offered to the goddess and later distributed among all family members.
Devotees chant various goddess mantras on this day. On this day, reading of Durga Chalisa also results. At the end of the puja, devotees also recited the Durga Ashtami Vrat Katha.
Hindu devotees offer food and sacrifices or Dakshina to Brahmins after completing worship rituals.
Palanhars of Durga Ashtami fast goes to Shakti temples in the evening. Special poojas are performed on the day of Maha Ashtami observed by thousands of devotees.
Importance of Durga Ashtami Vrat
The word ‘Durga’ in the Sanskrit language means ‘undefined’ and ‘Ashtami’ means ‘eight days’. According to Hindu mythology, the fiery and powerful form of Goddess Durga, known as ‘Goddess Bhadrakali’, emerged. The day of Durga Ashtami is celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga over a demon named ‘Mahishasura’. It is believed that a person who observes Durga Ashtami Vrat with full devotion, gets happiness and good luck in their life.