The day known as Durga Ashtami is regarded as the most significant of the festival. Navratri is a nine-night, ten-day-long festival celebrated throughout all of India. The nine incarnations of the goddess Durga are honored during this festival. Ashtami is hence also known as Durga Ashtami (Durgashtami) or Maha Ashtami, which is the eighth lunar day of Navratri or Durga Puja.

The festival of Navratri honors the victory of Goddess Durga over the demonic Mahishasura. The nine-day-long event honors the nine days that good and evil engaged in combat until good ultimately prevailed. In the Shukla paksha (bright fortnight) of the Ashwin month, the autumnal Navratri festival, also known as Sharada Navratri, is observed from the Pratipada (the phase after the new moon) until the Dashami (the tenth lunar phase). From Sashti (the sixth lunar phase) until Dashami, the final five days of this event are observed as Durga Ashtami Puja. The eighth lunar phase, known as Maha Ashtami or Durga Ashtami, is one of the most auspicious days of the Durga Ashtami Puja and Navratri festivities.

Durga Ashtami 2024 Date and Time

Here are Durga Ashtami 2024 Date and time.

Durga Ashtami 2024 falls on Friday, October 11.

Consider above mentioned Durga Ashtami Pooja Muhurat. 

Masik Durga according to the Hindu calendar, Durga Ashtami is a festival that is 

celebrated on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of each month.

Also See: Today Choghadiya Muhurat For Best Puja Timing

Mahagauri: The Form of Durga worshipped on Maha Ashtami

Every day of Navratri is devoted to a different manifestation of the goddess; Ashtami, the eighth lunar day, is devoted to the form Mahagauri. The goddess Mahagauri is renowned for granting her followers' requests. She is said to be so fair that Chandan and Jasmine's skin tones might be compared to hers. Since "Maha" means great and "Gauri" means fair, her fans refer to her as Mahagauri because of this. She rides a bull and has four arms. She maintains the Abhaya Mudra while holding the Trishul (trident) in her right hand, while maintaining the Varada Mudra while holding the Damru (a tiny hand drum) in her left.

Women worship Mahagauri for happiness and wealth on Durga Ashtami. Additionally, it is said that honoring her will lessen Rahu's negative consequences.

The Story of Durga Ashtami

The festival of Navratri commemorates the triumph of good over evil. It honors Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura. The holy trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, formed Goddess Durga when Mahishasura defeated Lord Indra, and each portion of her body was endowed with the energy of various Gods. According to certain ancient texts, Shukla Paksha Ashtami is the day on which the soul of the goddess Durga was created.

According to another story of Durga Ashtami mythology, Goddess Chamunda destroyed Chanda, Munda, and Rakthabija after emerging from Mother Durga's forehead.

On Durga Ashtami, Goddess Durga is worshiped as Maha Gauri. Mahagauri's tale is a different folklore connected to Durga Ashtami. Parvati's complexion became impaired and became black as a result of the difficult penance she underwent in order to wed Shiva. When Shiva eventually agreed to take her, he washed all the impurities from her body in the Ganga, which caused her skin to turn extraordinarily white and earn the name "Maha Gauri."

Also See: Navratri Colours and Its Significance

Other Names of Durga Ashtami 

Mahaashtami is the name of the Durgashtami holiday that is observed during the Navratri festival.

Durga Ashtmi Puja and Rituals

On Durga Ashtami, it is advantageous to worship the goddess Mahagauri. She is one of Goddess Durga's nine forms, the eighth of the Navadurgas. With the exception of the Pran Pratishta, which is performed solely on Saptami, the devotion on Durga Ashtami is the same as that on Saptami. Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja, which is quite similar to Maha Saptami Puja, kicks off Durga Puja on Maha Ashtami. All nine incarnations of the ultimate Goddess Durga are worshipped during the Durga Ashtami Puja. This entails setting up nine miniature pots and calling upon each of Durga's nine Shaktis or avatars.

Also See: Navratri Ghatasthapana Muhurat

Durga Ashtami Puja Vidhi and Rituals 

• On this day, followers of the goddess Durga observe a daylong fast.

• On this day, along with the entrancing chants, all the weapons and artillery that Goddess Durga used to destroy Mahishasur are honored. Astra puja is the name of this rite.

• Due to the numerous weapons, armaments, and martial art calibers that are demonstrated by specialists on this day, it is also known as Virashtami.

• The eight Durga avatars known as Ashtanayikas, which include 

Indrani, Brahmani, Varahi, Vaishnavi, Narasinghi, Maheshwari, Maheshwari, and Chamunda, are also worshipped.

• In order to worship Goddess Durga, a "ghat" is built in front, and red sandalwood paste, fruits, flowers, sweets, betel leaves, cardamom, and cash are given out to family members.

• The specific Durga Satshati mantra is said 108 times as the goddess is visualized seven times holding a lit lamp.

• Along with the Devi, 64 other yoginis are also venerated as the Devi's companions.

• On this day, Bhairava and other lesser deities who serve as the Mother's protectors are also honored.

• The god is revered as Goddess Gauri on this day. Nine little girls are worshipped, their feet are bathed, and as part of the ceremony, they are given halwa (a sweet dish comprised of semolina, milk, ghee, and almonds), puri, and kheer.

• Numerous temples dedicated to the god have large-scale pujas and 'havans' that are well-attended by followers.

• The sandhi puja that ushers in Mahanavami the next day marks the conclusion of Durgashtami.

• It is said that those who keep a strict fast on Durga Ashtami day in order to appease Mother Durga are always cared for by her kindness and are never affected by illusions of any type.

Consult certified Astrologers right now to make the auspicious celebration of Durga Ashtami 2024 even more special.