Ashtami, also popularly known as Maha Ashtami or Durga Ashtami, is an auspicious Hindu day that marks the eighth day of the Navaratri festival. The day is celebrated by Hindus in honour of the Goddess Durga. In several states of eastern India, especially in West Bengal, Durga Ashatmi is also one of the most auspicious days of the five-day-long Durga Puja festival. It falls on the bright lunar fortnight Ashtami tithi of Ashwin month according to the Hindu calendar. Maha Ashtami 2024 falls on Friday, October 11. Durga Ashtami day is dedicated to Goddess Shakti, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Traditionally, the festival is observed for ten days in Hindu households, but the actual Durga Puja that takes place in the pandals is held for five days, starting from Shashthi. Durga Ashtami symbolises the destruction of all evil and the restoration of goodness and righteousness. It is believed that through fasting and prayer, devotees can overcome personal obstacles, negative emotions, and all the challenges in life.

Durga Ashtami 2024 Date and Shubh Tithi

Durga Ashtami 2024 will be celebrated on Friday, October 11. The Ashtami tithi begins at 12:31 PM on October 10 and ends at 12:06 PM on October 11.

Durga Ashtami Significance and Rituals

Durga Ashtami holds great significance among the Hindus during the festival of Durga Puja and is celebrated with great devotion and fanfare in the eastern states of India, especially in West Bengal.  On this day, Goddess Durga is worshipped in her form as Mahishasura Mardini, the destroyer of the demon Mahishasura, thus symbolising the victory of good over evil and the protection of dharma from adharma. In India, devotees observe a fast on this holy occasion.

Kanya Puja is another important ritual of Durga Ashtami, where young girls, usually between the ages of six to ten, are worshipped as manifestations of Goddess Durga. These girls, known as ‘Kanyas’, represent the nine forms of the goddess. Devotees wash their feet, offer them new clothes, food, and gifts, and seek their blessings as a form of honouring the divine feminine energy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 07, 2024 01:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).