Durga Ashtami 2023 Date and Time: When Is Maha Ashtami? Tithi, Puja Vidhi, Celebrations and More To Know About This Auspicious Durga Puja Day
It is interesting to note that Maha Ashtami is not only an important observance for Hindu Bengalis who celebrate this festival but also commemorated with great fervour and enthusiasm by all Hindus who celebrate Navratri.
Durga Ashtami is the third day of Pujo celebrations and is believed to be one of the most important and auspicious days for Bengalis across the globe. Also known as Mahashtami, Durga Ashtami 2023 will be celebrated on October 22. Durgashtami is said to be the most important day of Pujo when Goddess Durga finally takes the Kali avatar to slay the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Sandhi Puja - which is the most significant puja ceremony done during Pujo 2023, takes place at the cusp of Durgashtami and Maha Navami. As we prepare to celebrate Durga Ashtami 2023, here is everything you need to know about this observance, how to celebrate Mahashtami, the Significance of Maha Durgashtami and more. Durga Puja 2023 in Kolkata: Prosenjit Chatterjee Offers Prayers at Durga Puja Pandal on Maha Ashtami.
When is Durga Ashtami 2023?
Durga Ashtami 2023 will be celebrated on October 22. The Ashtami Tithi for Mahashtami 2023 begins at 21:53 on Oct 21, 2023, and will go on till 19:58 on Oct 22, 2023. Durga Ashtami is one of the most important days of Pujo celebrations and enters the festivities towards the grand commemoration of when Goddess Kali kills the buffalo demon - Mahishasura.
Significance of Maha Ashtami
It is interesting to note that Maha Ashtami is not only an important observance for Hindu Bengalis who celebrate this festival but also commemorated with great fervour and enthusiasm by all Hindus who celebrate Navratri. On Maha Ashtami, nine small pots are installed, and nine Shaktis of Durga are invoked in them. All nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Many people also believe that feeding young girls and doing their aarti will help appease Goddess Durga on this auspicious day. This tradition is called Kanya Puja and is often done on either Durgashtami or Maha Navami. Kanya Pujan and Sandhi Puja 2023 Date & Significance: What Rituals Take Place During Kanjak & Sondhi Puja?
The most important aspect of Durga Ashtami for Pujo celebrations is Sandhi Puja. The time window of the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi is known as Sandhi Time or the holy juncture during Durga Puja. Sandhi Puja 2023 will be conducted from 19:34 to 20:22 on October 22. We hope that Durga Ashtami 2023 fills your life with the love, light and happiness you deserve. Happy Maha Ashtami!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2023 10:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).