Omkar Dattatray
Durga Ashtami is the most important day of the Navratri festival and it occupies an important place in the order of significance of the nine days of Navratri .It is the eight day of Navratri and is dedicated to Maa Durga and everyone is celebrating the nine days long festival with pomp and show as well as with devotion to propitiate Maa Durga .Durgaashtami is the Ashtami in Navratri is the eight day of the festival. .As we celebrate Shrad Navratri of 2023,we all know that Ashtami is one of the most important days in Navratri and devotees undertake fasts to please Maa Durga on this day .But why the Ashtami is so important? Aahtami during Navratri has multiple significance .We will put forwards some of them to throw light on why Durga Ashtami is so significant and is highly venerated during Navratri. Astra Puja on Ashtami day ,the eight day of Navratri is also known as Astra Puja and known as Virashtami .This is because all weapons are propitiated and worshipped on this day along with a display of martial arts.AS an answer to the prayers of gods and humans .Maa Durga decided to annihilate the demon Mahishasura ,the buffalo faced giant .As she prepared for the war ,all gods gave their divine weapons and powers to Maa Durga .All those weapons were worshipped and handed over to Maa Durga on the day of Ashtami and therefore the day came to be called as Astra Puja .Another name Virashtami attributed to this day heralds the courage and valor of Maa Durga .The emergence of Maa Kali (Ashtami). On the day of Ashtam ,Maa Kali emerged from the face of Durga .In addition .Astanayikas or the eight aspects of Durga emerged from her and assumed their roles in war. Therefore on the day of Astami ,the war with Mahishasura gained full momentum and force .There was a fierce battle between Kali and demons Chanda,Munda and Raktabhija .As part of the Navratri Puja ,Ashtami is so significant in worshipping the 64 Yoginis ,Maa Kali,Maa Durga and the Ashtanayikas. The eight aspect of Durga that emerged from her and assumed distinctive forms and names include Brahnacharni ,Maheshwari ,Kameshwart ,Vaishnavi ,Varahi ,Narasinghi ,Indrani ,Maa Chamunda .Each of these aspects signifies a particular a particular attribute of Ma Durga .The Puja done on the day of Navratri Ashtami is meant to propitiate all the aspects of Ma Durga together and there it is highly significant .It is believed that Ma Durga manifested on Ashtami day .Month on month ,special Pujas are performed to Ma Durga on Ashtami .The Ashtami falling during Navratri festival is called Maha Ashtami or Maha Durga Ashtami .This is also second day of the last set of three days of Navratri dedicated to worshipping Ma Durga .On Maha Durga Astami Durga is propitiated with an elaborate Puja .Ashtami and Navami are auspicious days to celebrate the essence of womanhood .Therefore on this day Kanya Pujan is observed by Hindus across India. Kaniya Puja on Ashtami or Navami is offered to the Shakti .Usually nine girls who have not attained puberty are invited to homes and their feet are washed .They are considered to represent the nine forms of Durga namely Shilputri,Brahmacharni, Chandraganta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katayayni, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. They are presented with delicious food and some nice gifts which are believed to propitiate Ma Durga .It is believed that on Astami ,the eight incarnation of Ma Durga namely Maha Gauri took birth .She is the symbol of her devotees welfare .She is the problem solver and bestows good health ,good life ,and happiness to all. .The most famous Sandhi Puja connected with Navratri is observed on Ashtami .This is the time when the Ashtami tithi ends and Navami tithi starts .At this juncture ,Balidan or sacrifice is offered to Ma Durga .Since animal sacrifice is prohibited for the Hindus ,a symbolic Balidan consisting of cutting vegetables like pumpkins is done on this day .Durga Puja or Navratri is one of the most important and revered of all Hindu festivals .This Pan -India festival involves the ceremonial worship of Goddess Durga in nine forms spread over nine nights and celebrated in different ways across various parts of India. .Durga Ashtami is celebrated in particular with great passion and fervor especially in West Bengal .The ten armed Goddess riding loin is highly regarded in this part of the country and even the weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped while reciting mantras in a ritual known as Astra Puja .Ashtami marks the eight day of the festival and on this auspicious day ,devotees tend to observe rigorous fast ,feast and worship Goddess Durga who symbolizes strength .A celebration of traditional culture and customs ,massive idols of Goddess Durga are installed throughout India ,while enormous Puja Pandals are set up at various places for devotees to visit and worship Goddess Durga .Durga Ashtami celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon ,Mahishasura .Legand has it that owing to a boon bestowed upon Lord Beahma ,Mahisasura could only be defeated by a female warrior .When Lord Indra was vanquished in the battle field ,the holy trinity ,Brahma ,Vishnu and Shiva created Durga and each part of her body was blessed with strength, with energy of different male Gods .On this day ,Durga Ashtami ,she made use of the use of weapons that symbolized their masculine strength to defeat Mahisasura with the trident .In this festival women tend to take center stage while being stark reminder of how women used to hold a lot more power and status in ancient India .In certain parts of the country .especially West Bengal ,Odessa ,and Assam ,animal sacrifices are performed at temples to commemorate the occasion .In South India ,computers, vehicles ,books and equipments are worshipped on the ninth day as an expression of gratitude for the blessings received in the previous year .By offering the tools of their trade to God ,one commits to performing all work as worship .On the day of Ashtami before breaking the fast ,nine girls blow the age of ten are worshipped and fed sumptuously and among other things ,presented with new clothes .One of the many reasons why this festival is widely celebrated to receive blessings of the Goddess with the aim of being granted wealth ,prosperity ,as well as knowledge .Every festival in India has a profound attachment and significance with buying investments in the form of gold ,silver properties .This is because festivities are usually associated with wealth and people strongly tend to believe that investing in some significant or start something new on such auspicious occasions will bring in more happiness and prosperity in the following year .In short Maha Ashtami holds a great significance among Hindus .The eight form of Maa Durga is worshipped on this day .It is believed that eight forms of Maa Durga emerged from her and these eight Shaktis are Bharmni ,Maheshwari ,Kaumari ,Vaishnavi ,Varahi ,Narsinghi ,Indarni and Chamunda.Thus Durga Ashtami is most significant for the sanatan Dharma and Hindus celebrate it with great devotion and fervor.
(The author is a columnist,social and KP activist).
