Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami Festival is today!

Durgashtami is a well known festival of India. Durgashtami or Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of nine days annual Navaratri festival in India. Durgashtami is observed on eighth day of Navratri of Shukla Paksha (full moon) in the Ashwin month according to Hindi calendar. This festival is also known as Mahashtami, Veera Ashtami or Durga Puja. This durgashtami is dedicated to goddess Durga and celebrated annually. Many devotees observe full day fast and perform special pooja on this days. Weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped on this day and so it is known as Astra Puja or Ayudha Pooja. The day is also known as Virashtami as there are displays using arms or martial arts. It is one of the most important days for Goddess worship in Hindu religion. Durgashtami day is celebrated as Pooja Vaipu day in Kerala.

Durgashtami is a very sacred and auspicious festival of India. Many people go to temples of Goddess Mata Durga and pray for them and their family. On Durgashtami, devotees decorate the temple of goddess Durga whom famously known from goddess Sahkti and they offer many types of oblation. This day is also observed as Astra Puja as weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped on the day.

Celebrated during Durga Navaratri, Durga Ashtami festival is celebrated as a memory of the day where Durga came out victorious over the demon buffalo, Mahishasura. Devotees of Durga recite many mantras of Durga on this auspicious day and seek for her blessings.

सर्व मंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके ।  शरन्ये त्रयम्बिके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तुते ।।

“SARVA MANGALA MAANGALYE SHIVEYSARVAARTH SAADHIKEY,  SHARNAYE TRAYAMBAKEY GAURI NAARAAYANI NAMOSTUTEY.”

(Oh Narayaani, Oh Shivi, Oh Gauri you filful the desires of all. I pray to you)

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शरणागत दीनार्तपरित्राण परायणे। सर्वस्यातिहरे देवि नारायणी नमोस्तुते।।

“SHARNAAGAT DEENAART PARITRAAN PARAAYANEY, SERVASYARTI HAREY DEVI NAARAAYANI NAMOSTUTEY.”

(You who are perpetually endeavoring to protect the weak and the poor and remove their misery. Oh Narayani, I pray to you)