Durga Ashtami 2021 • Navratri Durga Ashtami Celebrations
Durgashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri or Durgotsav festival that is celebrated across different parts of India. This day is attributed to Goddess Shakti, an avatar of Durga who is symbolic of eternal power and the victory of 'good' over the 'evil'.
Durgashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of Navratri that commences from Mahalaya in the Hindu month of Ashwin. Durga ashtami falls in the Shukla paksha of the lunar phase. According to the Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated in the month of September-October every year.
Durga Ashtami 2021 is on October 13, Wednesday
Durga ashtami tithi timings: October 12, 9:47 pm - October 13, 8:08 pm
7 months and 8 days to go for the event
Idol of Goddess Durga seen a Durga Puja pandal
Masik Durga Ashtami is a monthly event observed on the ashtami tithi (8th day) of the shukla paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of every month on the Hindu calendar.
Durga Puja 2021 Tithi & Sandhi Puja Muhurat Timings:
Sunrise | 13 October, 2021 06:26 AM. |
Sunset | 13 October, 2021 05:59 PM. |
Ashtami Tithi Starts | 12 October, 2021 09:47 PM. |
Ashtami Tithi Ends | 13 October, 2021 08:08 PM. |
Sandhi Puja Muhurta | October 13, 07:44 PM - October 13, 08:32 PM |
Place : Ujjain [ India ] See More |
The story of Durgashtami
Goddess kali culminated from the forehead of Devi Durga on this day and killed Mahishasur — the king of Demons and his associates—Chanda and Munda.
On this day, Mother Durga annihilated Bhairo Nath, an evil 'tantric' in the form of Vaishno Devi. This incident leads to the history of establishment of the pilgrimage of Vaishno devi and it is said that the famous Bhairo nath temple lies at the site where the head of Bhairo Nath fell after being chucked off by the Goddess.
Durga Idol depicting the fight between Goddess Durga and Demon Mahishasura
Other names of Durgashtami
Durgashtami that is celebrated as apart of the Navratri festival is known as Mahaashtami.
Rituals of Durgashtami
Devotees of Goddess Durga keep a day long fast on this day.
On this day, all the weapons and artillery that were used for killing Mahishasur by Goddess Durga are worshipped along with the enchanting of mantras. This ritual is known as Astra puja.
This day is also referred to a s Virashtami as several weapons, arms and martial art calibers are displayed by experts.
During the worship of the Mother, the eight avatars of Durga called Ashtanayikas are also worshipped which include Brahmani, Indrani, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Kameshwari, Maheshwari and Chamunda.
Goddess Durga is worshipped by establishing a 'ghat' in front, red sandalwood paste, fruits, flowers, sweets, betel leaves, cardamom and coins are distributed among the kin.
The Goddess is shown a lighted lamp for 7 times and the special Durga Satshati mantra is recited for 108 times.
64 Yoginis who are considered the Devi's associates are also worshipped along with.
Other minor deities and guards of the Mother are also worshipped on this day that also includes Bhairava.
On this day, the deity is worshipped as Goddess Gauri. To observe this, nine small virgin girls are worshipped, their feet are washed and they are offered halwa (a sweet disg made of semolina, milk, ghee and nuts), puri and kheer a part of the ritual.
Several temples of the deity organize big scale pujas and 'havans' that are attended by devotees in large numbers.
Durgashtami ends with the sandhi puja that ushers the next day Mahanavami.
It is believed that people who observe a staunch fast on this day to please Mother Durga are always taken care by her benevolence and such people are always free of delusions of any kind in life.
Durga Ashtami festival dates between 2018 & 2028
Year | Date |
---|---|
2018 | Wednesday, 17th of October |
2019 | Sunday, 6th of October |
2020 | Saturday, 24th of October |
2021 | Wednesday, 13th of October |
2022 | Monday, 3rd of October |
2023 | Sunday, 22nd of October |
2024 | Friday, 11th of October |
2025 | Tuesday, 30th of September |
2026 | Monday, 19th of October |
2027 | Thursday, 7th of October |
2028 | Tuesday, 26th of September |