Navaratri is an occasion that holds many significance in hindu mythology. In Navaratri each day is very important and auspicious. Navaratri is the celebration of 9 days and these 9 days belong to 9 forms of Maa Durga. It is believed that the power of Maa Durga is at its peak on Ashtami of Navratri. It is also known as Durga Ashtami and Maha Ashtami. It falls on Ashtami tithi of Ashwin month of Shukla paksh. Durga Ashtami emphasizes the feminine power, strength and divine transformation.
Ashtami represents strength and protection upon the world. In ancient times it is believed that there is some secret pattern of worshiping Maa Durga on Ashtami. If anyone worships Maa Durga wholeheartedly on this day will attain his/her desires very soon. It is said by our grandparents that on Durga Ashtami, Maa visits their devotee’s house to meet them. There is something in the atmosphere that day, something like magic.
As every festival has a story and there is also a bravery story behind Durga Ashtami. In Hindu mythology this is the story of a demon called Mahishasur. He impressed Lord Brahma by his devotion and Lord Brahma granted him a boon that he could not be killed by any man or god. Then he started misusing his power and started war with gods. But there was a flaw in the boon that he could be killed by a woman. But the demon was overconfident that a woman can’t kill him, he is more powerful than the god than how a woman can kill him.
Gods were totally helpless in front of Mahishasur, then they went to Lord Brahma and asked for the solution.
Lord Brahma has cleared to all god that in boon it is not mentioned that woman can’t kill him. After the suggestion of Lord Brahma, gods combined their energy and formed the fierce goddess Durga.
Maa Durga’s appearance was totally different. She is the combination of the energies of the whole universe. She held weapons in each hand, and loved to ride on lions. She is the symbol of unstoppable courage and feminine power.
Maa Durga’s power peaked on the eighth day of Navratri because she killed the army of demons that is why this day holds more significance and importance in Navratri. This day is marked as the time when good truly overruled evil. This makes us believe in the victory of good over evil. The celebration of Durga Ashtami is much more than a celebration. It remarked that evil may be powerful but the truth is always conquering. This day is also a day to discard all the rage, ego or grid inside and let the positivity enter our mind, body and soul.
Durga Ashtami is the most energetic day out of all 9 days. It is celebrated across India and it unites communities and families. India is the country where many religious people live. Every religion has their own customs and rituals to celebrate it but there are some practices which are common everywhere. These are some rituals done on Durga Ashtami:
Sandhi Puja during Durga Ashtami is crucial. This is the puja that is conducted at the very moment of transition from Ashtami to Navami by Pandit ji. It is believed that it is the time when Maa Durga kill the demon Chanda and Munda. Pandit ji started reciting the holy mantras uninterruptedly, 108 lotuses are offered in respect of Devi with lightning 108 diya to discard the darkness.
Through astrological aspects it is the time to overcome all the problems. This duration is very auspicious to perform astrological remedies to settle the planetary doshas. With the blessing of Maa Durga anyone can ruin their life from obstacles. Maa shows the path to overcome the problems. Energy of Maa is so high this day that it has power to destroy the negativity of the whole universe