Durga Ashtami Vrat:
Durga word comes from Sanskrit language indicating towards undefeatable. Goddess Durga is considered an amalgamation of fierce and powerful. Durga Ashtami is actually celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga on demons. Devotees who worship her with full dedication and belief get blessed.
Durgashatami and Different Types Of Beliefs-
According to the study, it is considered that Goddess Chamunda took birth on this day from the forehead of Maa Durga and killed the powerful demons namely Chanda Munda and Rakthabia. Talking about the pooja rituals on Mahashtami, 64 Yoginis and Ashta Nayika are worshipped on this auspicious day. The eight goddesses are considered incarnations of Shakti. It is known for the different aspects such as Divine Feminine associating to different energies.
You might be thinking that what is Ashta Nayika. It is actually Ashta Nayikas worshipped during Durga Pooja
• Kaumari,
• Vaishnavi,
• Varahi,
• Brahmani,
• Maheswari,
• Narasinghi,
• Indrani
• and Chamunda.
Durga Ashtami and Hindu Rituals -
Durga Ashtami is also called "Mata Ashtami” completely dedicated to Goddess Shakti. This festival is observed on "Ashtami” and that is why it is called Durga Ashtami. On this day, varieties of Goddess Durga weapons are celebrated. Hindu devotees impart prayers to Goddess Durga and go on fast to get blessed with his blessings. This vrat is observed following strong methodology especially in northern and western regions of India. Durga Ashtami Vrat also holds a great significance of Hinduism.
What To Do On This Day –
• Get up early in the morning and take bath after doing your daily chores
• Keep your mind full of positivity
• Do not think anything negative
• Try to maintain peace and happiness surrounding your area
• Do pooja
• Keep the worshiping place clean
What About The Rituals During Durga Ashtami Vrat -
Durga Ashtami is completely dedicated to Goddess Durga. On this day, they do get early in the morning. Devotees offer a variety of things to Goddess Such as flowers, Chandan and dhoop. On this day, devotees also worship girls having in-between the age of 6-12 years. These small girls are called Kanya and offered food on an auspicious day.
The fact cannot be ignored that fasting is considered as a quite important role on this day. Fasting is considered an important ritual to do. It is also good for your health too. Some devotees even keep fast on this having milk and eating fruits. These days, having non-vegetarian food and alcohol is completely restricted to have on this day. The devotees also sleep on floor chucking other needed comfort.
On this auspicious day, Durga Chalisa, Mantra and Bhajan is also chanted. There is one more custom in which barley seeds are sow and once they grow to 3-5 inches then offered to God. Hindu do worship whole day and then distribute Prashad among the family members and neighbors.