Durga Ashtami 2021 Puja Vidhi, Muhurat Timings, Mantra, Samagri: Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami will be celebrated on October 13, Wednesday. Ashtami tithi will start at 9:57pm on October 12 and will end at 8:07pm on October 13, according to Drik Panchang.
Durga Ashtami is considered as one of the most important days of Durga Puja. It begins with mahasnan and shodashopachar puja, similar to Saptami puja. On this day, nine small vases are installed and nine shaktis of Durga are then carried into it. All nine forms of the goddess are worshiped during Mahashtami puja. Young, unmarried girls are also worshiped on this day. This is called ‘Kumari Puja’.
Kumari Puja is celebrated during Durga Puja by ritualistic worship of young girls as an incarnation of the Goddess. (Source: Express Photo by Janak Rathod)
One of the main events on Durga Ashtami is the puja sandhi ceremony, held at Ashtami tithi ends and Navami tithi begins. It is believed that Devi Chamunda appeared around this time to kill the demons Chanda and Munda.
The puja ceremony usually lasts for about 48 minutes. This time, muhurat is from 07.43 pm to 08.31 pm. During this time, it was customary to perform an animal sacrifice. Those who abstain from sacrifice can substitute bananas, cucumbers or pumpkins to perform a symbolic ‘bali’. It is also customary to light 108 earthen lamps during sandhi puja.
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