Navratri 8th Day 2023

Happy Navratri 2023 Day 8: Maha Ashtami, also known as Ashtami and Durgashtami, falls on Monday, October 22 this year. This auspicious day marks the celebration of Mahagauri, the beautiful eighth manifestation of Goddess Durga. Mahagauri is revered for her purity, serenity, and tranquility, and is believed to bring an end to the suffering of her devotees. She is also seen as the 16-year-old unmarried form of Goddess Parvati.

On the eighth day of Navratri, which is commonly known as Ashtami, devotees commemorate Maa Durga’s victory over the formidable buffalo demon Mahishasura. It is believed that praying to Maa Durga during Ashtami can help cleanse one of their problems and sins while bringing prosperity and luck.

Devotees observe fasts and perform various rituals on Ashtami. They begin by worshiping the kalash to invite planetary deities and the blessings of Goddess Durga‘s family members. Just like on other days of Navratri, the devotees read all the chapters of ‘Durga Saptashi’ to seek the Goddess’s divine grace. Additionally, they invoke the blessings of Mahagauri with a special Mahagauri pujan mantra.

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Navratri 2023: Navratri festival celebrations involve Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. (Photo: Getty/Thinkstock)

Before the puja, devotees cleanse themselves and wear clean clothes at Brahm muhurath (daybreak). Essential items for the puja include incense, roli (colored rice), kumkum (vermilion), fresh flowers, Akshat (a mixture of vermilion and unbroken rice for the forehead), and a lit earthen lamp.

In some parts of India, people also perform Astra Puja during Ashtami. Many devotees consider it an auspicious day to pray to their tools. Additionally, Maa Durga’s weapons are worshipped as symbols of female strength.

The colour of the day on Maha Ashtami or Day 8 of Navratri is peacock green. Devotees who worship Goddess Mahagauri on this day can wear clothes of this shade. The colour is a symbol of uniqueness, individuality, compassion, and freshness.

Also Read | Navratri 1st Day 2023: Significance, puja vidhi, samagri, and colour

Maha Ashtami is a day filled with devotion, rituals, and the belief in the divine power of Mahagauri, offering devotees the chance to seek her blessings, cleanse their souls, and embrace prosperity and fortune.

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