We Celebrate Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami is one of the most auspicious days of ten days long Durga Puja Festival. In India fasting is undertaken by many people on this holy occasion. 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.
Plot                                          
The eighth day of Navratri or Durga Puja celebrations is known as Durgashtami, or Durga Ashtami. It is also known as Mahashtami and is one of the most auspicious day according to Hinduism. It falls on the Ashtami tithi of Chaitra month according to the Hindu calendar.

It is believed in some regions, the Goddess Kali appeared on this day from the forehead of Mother Durga and annihilated Chanda, Munda, and Rakthabija (the demons who were associates of Mahishasura). The 64 Yoginis and Ashta Nayikas (the eight consorts of Goddess Durga) are worshiped during the Durga Puja rituals on Mahashtami. The Ashta Nayikas, also known as Eight Shaktis, are interpreted differently in different regions of India. But ultimately, all the eight goddesses are incarnations of Shakti. They are the same powerful Divine Feminine, representing different energies.

The Ashta Nayikas worshiped during Durga Puja are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda.
Tradition
A tradition associated with Durga Ashtami originated in North India is to honor the kanjaks in the home. A group of young, unmarried girls (a group of five or seven) are invited into the home to honor them. The tradition is based on the belief that each of these young girls( kanjaks ), represents the shakti (energy) of Durga on Earth. The group of girls are welcomed by washing their feet (a common ceremonial in India to welcome someone), welcoming them into the home, and then the rituals are done as Alati and Puja. After the rituals the girls are fed sweets and foods and honored with small gifts.

Why we celebrate Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami is the eight day of the Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations that take place in India every year and celebrated with religious fervour. Durga Ashtami is also known as Mahashtami and is believed to be one of the crucial days of Durga Puja. Many people observe fast for seven regular days.
Followers worship the weapons of Maa Durga on this day which is also known as Astra Puja. The day is also known as Virashtami as there are displays using arms or martial arts. It is one of the most important day for worshippers.
There is also a belief that Goddess Kali appeared from the forehead of Durga on this day to annihilate Chanda and Munda and Rakthabija. During the Durga Puja rituals on Mahashtami day the 64 Yoginis and Ashtanayikas - the eight consorts - of Durga are also worshipped.
The eight consorts of Durga, also known as Eight Shaktis, are interpreted differently in different regions of India. But ultimately all the eight goddesses are incarnations of Shakti with different aims. Sometimes they are also an attempt to give form to a particular aspect of Shakti.

The Ashtanayikas that are worshipped during Durga Puja are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kameswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda.

Many other minor deities including many attendants and guards of Durga are worshipped on this day.


Durga devotees observe fast on Durga Ashtami. Both men and women observe the fast. Many temples perform special pujas on the day and are visited by millions of devotees.

Durga Ashtami ends with Sandhi puja, which overlaps into the next day which is also known as Mahanavami day.