Durga Ashtami, 2024
One of the most important days of the Navratri celebration, which honours Goddess Durga, is Durga Ashtami, often referred to as Maha Ashtami. It is extremely significant both spiritually and culturally in Hinduism, and it occurs on the eighth day of Navratri.
Importance of Goddess Durga Ashtami’s Victory: On Durga Ashtami, people celebrate Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura, the buffalo demon. It is thought that on this day, the demon was defeated by the goddess’s terrible form, Mahishasura Mardini, during a protracted struggle.
A representation of female power: The victory of good over evil and Shakti, or feminine force, are celebrated on this day. It highlights the divine feminine and the bravery and strength of women.
Customs and Traditions
Morning customs: Adherents dress in new or clean clothes, take a ceremonial bath, and rise early. After that, they offer unique poojas and prayers in honour of Goddess Durga.
Saraswati Puja: Many places, particularly in South India, connect Durga Ashtami with Saraswati Puja, a celebration honouring Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge. Tools, books, and musical instruments are offered to the goddess in order to get her graces.
(Kumari Puja) Kanya Puja: Kanya Puja, where nine young girls (representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga) are worshipped, is one of the most significant Durga Ashtami rites. The girls’ feet are cleansed and they are treated as goddess manifestations. They are treated to a special lunch of puri, chana, and halwa, as well as new clothes and gifts.
Sandhi Puja: At the intersection of Ashtami and Navami Tithis (dates), Sandhi Puja is held. This is a very fortunate practice that involves lighting 108 lights, giving 108 lotuses, and saying specific prayers. It is thought that in order to destroy Mahishasura, Goddess Durga took on her most deadly appearance at this period.
Fasting: On Durga Ashtami, a lot of followers fast, eating only fruits, milk, and light vegetarian meals. When the evening puja concludes, the fast is broken.
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Going to Temples: Goddess Durga’s temples are frequented by devotees who come to pray, ask for blessings, and take part in communal festivities.
Cultural Events: To commemorate Goddess Durga’s victory, cultural events involving dance, music, and theatre are held in several areas. Traditional dances like the Dandiya and Garba are enthusiastically performed.
Regional Differences
West Bengal: One of the most significant days of the Durga Puja celebration is Durga Ashtami in West Bengal and other eastern areas of India. Extensive pandals (transient buildings) are erected, and feasts, prayers, and cultural events are held during the large celebrations.
South India: On this day, important ceremonies called Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja are celebrated in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Education establishments frequently close to accommodate these celebrations, during which tools and books are honoured.
North India: Homes and temples are adorned with flowers and lamps in observance of Kanya Puja, which is a popular ritual in this region.
Ancient story associated with Durga Ashtami
The mythology of Goddess Durga’s fight against the demon Mahishasura is the source of the old tale connected to Durga Ashtami. A prominent figure in Hindu mythology, this tale is told in several texts, such as the Markandeya Purana’s Devi Mahatmyam (also called the Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path). This is the tale:
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The Rise to Power of Mahishasura in the Legend of Goddess Durga
Mahishasura was a strong demon king with the ability to transform into any other form. He had the capacity to change between human and buffalo forms since his mother was a buffalo and his father was an asura (devil). Mahishasura satisfied Lord Brahma by intense penance, and he was granted a boon that neither a man nor a god could kill him. Gaining power from this blessing, he tore up the sky and the ground, subduing the heavenly and terrestrial domains.
The Goddess Durga was created: The gods turned to the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) for assistance after failing to vanquish Mahishasura. In retaliation, the gods united their divine forces to form a strong goddess who could vanquish Mahishasura.
This group’s energy took the form of Goddess Durga, a multiarmed warrior goddess who was bestowed with strong weapons by several gods. She rode a lion, a representation of strength and bravery.
The Conflict: Mahishasura and his army faced off against Goddess Durga in a bloody fight. Nine days and nights were spent in the fight. She bravely battled for nine days, destroying numerous strong demons that supported Mahishasura.
Mahishasura Mardini, Durga’s most frightening form, appeared on the eighth day, known as Maha Ashtami. At the intersection of Ashtami and Navami, or the ninth day, Mahishasura died by Durga.
The Demise of Mahishasura: Using his shape-shifting powers, Mahishasura engaged Durga in ferocious combat by changing into a variety of shapes and overwhelming her. But the goddess was not discouraged. At last, Mahishasura assumed the shape of a buffalo. His reign of terror came to an end when Durga pierced him with her trident and decapitated him when he emerged from the buffalo’s body in human form.
Importance of the triumph: Durga Ashtami honours the goddess Durga’s conquest of Mahishasura. This day represents the victory of heavenly power over evil powers, righteousness over unrighteousness, and good over evil.
It draws attention to the courage and strength of the feminine divine, highlighting the ability of the divine feminine energy to defeat even the strongest opponents.
The legend of Durga and Mahishasura is a complex narrative that emphasises the eternal conflict between good and evil, rather than merely being a tale of a celestial combat. Durga Ashtami honours the goddess Durga’s unstoppable might and acts as a reminder of the bravery, tenacity, and fortitude required to oppose the ills in the world. It is a day of adoration, introspection, and respect for the strength of the divine feminine and righteousness.
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Date of Durga Ashtami – 11th October, 2024
Day of Durga Ashtami – Friday
Qualities to learn from Maa Durga
- Maa Durga, who is regarded in Hinduism as a representation of compassion, bravery, and strength, teaches priceless lessons via her life experiences and characteristics. Her valiant struggle against the demonic Mahishasura serves as an example of extraordinary bravery and inner power, teaching us to meet obstacles head-on with tenacity and fortitude. As a goddess formed from the energy of all gods, she represents absolute strength and independence, inspiring us to identify and use our inner powers and have faith in our ability to get through challenges. The story of her defeat of Mahishasura emphasises the final victory of good over evil and exhorts us to maintain moral principles, honesty, and righteousness despite dishonesty and corruption.
- The famous Maa Durga’s protective demeanour as a loving mother who defends her followers emphasises the value of being nice, offering assistance, and speaking out for those who are less fortunate. Her representation, which has several arms, each grasping a distinct weapon, represents the harmony between power and grace and serves as a reminder to us to integrate our diverse personalities into our lives in order to achieve harmony.
Furthermore, she shows us the value of patience and tenacity in accomplishing our goals through her unwavering determination during the protracted and difficult battle against Mahishasura. The legends of Maa Durga frequently present her as a dignified and self-respecting goddess who demands justice and respect, encouraging us to uphold our own value and reject any forms of disrespect or injustice. - Her versatility in battle, employing various tactics and weaponry to take down various demons, represents the need for us to be adaptable and creative in our approaches to problem-solving. Maa Durga was created by all the gods together, signifying the strength of cooperation and teamwork and highlighting the necessity of supporting and cooperating with one another to overcome obstacles. Even though she is a warrior goddess, her peaceful and collected manner in the middle of chaos symbolises inner peace and teaches us to maintain our composure and tranquilly even in the face of turbulence.
- We may face life’s obstacles more skillfully and live more fulfilled, moral lives if we adopt Maa Durga’s qualities of courage, compassion, perseverance, balance, self-respect, flexibility, unity, and inner peace.
