Durga Ashtami Image: Sandhi Puja is an important ritual on the Mahashtami (Photo: Ayan Banerjee)
Today is the 8th day of Navratri 2020 and Goddess Mahagauri is worshiped on Durga Ashtami or Mahashtami.
Durga ashtamiare the most auspicious days of the ten days of Navratri and Durga Puja. The goddess Mahagauri is seen on a bull and has four hands. On one right hand Mahagauri carries the trishul or trident and the other right hand is in Varada Mudra symbolizing abundance. She carries the Damaru in one left hand and the other is again in Varada Mudra. According to legends, Mahagauri is very beautiful and her complexion is compared to jasmine flower and chandan.
Another legend surrounding Durga Ashtami, says that the goddess Kali appeared on this day from Devi Durga’s forehead. She destroyed the asuras or demons like the goddess Kali, Durga’s fiercest avatar. Durga Ashtami is also special because the eight wives of Goddess Durga – Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda – are worshiped on the same day.
Ashtami 2020: during Navratri Mahashtami or Durga Ashtami is the most important day
Importance of Durga Ashtami
On Ashtami, nine small pots are installed and the nine avatars of Devi Durga are summoned to it. The nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Kanjak or Kanya Pujan is an important part of Durga Ashtami. Kanjak involves the ritual of inviting eight young girls and worshiping them as avatars of the goddess Durga. Many families also do Kanya Pujan on Namami
Durga Ashtami Muhurat
Ashtami tithi starts at 6:57 a.m. on October 23
Ashtami tithi ends at -6:58 a.m. on October 24
Durga Ashtami Mantras
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
Prarthana: Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada
Stuti: Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Dhyana: Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam
Simharudha Chaturbhuja Mahagauri Yashasvinim
Purnandu Nibham Gauri Somachakrasthitam Ashtamam Mahagauri Trinetram
Varabhitikaram Trishula Damarudharam Mahagauri Bhajem
Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam
Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Trailokya Mohanam
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Mrinalam Chandana Gandhaliptam
Stotra: Sarvasankata Hantri Tvamhi Dhana Aishwarya Pradayanim
Jnanada Chaturvedamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham
Sukha Shantidatri Dhana Dhanya Pradayanim
Damaruvadya Priya Adya Mahagauri Pranamamyaham
Trailokyamangala Tvamhi Tapatraya Harinim
Vadadam Chaitanyamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham
Ashtami 2020: Durga Ashtami puja samagri or itrme necessary
At the end of Maha Ashtami on Durga Puja, Sandhi Puja and hom or yagna is performed.
Ashtami 2020: Sandhi Puja is the auspicious moment between Ashtami and Navami
Mahashtami Sandhi Puja Muhurat: 6:34 a.m. to 7:22 a.m.
Sandhi Puja is the most important moment of Durga Puja. It is the junction between Ashtami and Navami tithi. This year, this duration is 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi. This is known as Sandhi Kshan. This is the highlight of Durga Puja.
