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Masik Durgashtami & Maha Navami, 2020

October 23, 2020

Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami is one of the most auspicious days of the five days long Durga Puja Festival. Traditionally, the festival is observed for 10 days in all Indian households but the actual puja that takes place in the 'pandals' is held over a period of 5 days (starting from shashthi). In India fasting is undertaken by many people on this holy occasion. People also get together on this day to dance 'garba' and wear colourful clothes. This day is also known for 'Astra Puja'(Worshiping Weapons) as on this day the weapons of Goddess Durga are worshiped. The day is also known as Vira Ashtami as there are seen to use arms or martial arts on this day.

Maha Navami (Mahanavami) or Durga Navami is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. It is the last day of battle between Goddess Durga and demon Mahishasura.
Maha Navami begins with Mahasnan (holy bath), followed by prayers to Goddess Durga or Maa Durga. It is believed that on Maha Navami Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasuramardhini - which literally means the slayer of the buffalo demon or mahishasura.

On Maha Navami, Durga Maa made her final assault on demon Mahishasura and the following morning, on Vijayadashami, triumphed over him. In fact, Vijayadashami gets derives its name from the Sanskrit and Hindi words Vijaya meaning victorious or triumphant and Dashami meaning 10th day. Vijayadashami is also celebrated as Dussehra, which too derives its name from the Sanskrit words Dush meaning bad or evil and Hara which means defeating or destroying - thereby signifying the victory of good over evil.