සරදීය නවරාත්රියේ අටවන දිනය වන දුර්ගා අෂ්ටමී, දුර්ගා දේවියගේ නමස්කාරයේ දැඩිම දිනය වන අතර, එය සන්ධි පූජාව සහ කන්යා පූජනය මගින් සලකුණු කරනු ලැබේ. බොහෝ අනුගාමිකයෝ මෙදින උපවාසය කරන අතර දේවියට පුෂ්පාංජලිය පූජා කරති.
Durga Ashtami: The Auspicious Celebration of Goddess Durga
Maha Ashtami, also called Durga Ashtami, is a crucial day in Navratri, dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga. Celebrated on the eighth day of Navratri, this day signifies Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura, representing good conquering evil. This day is of great religious significance to Hindus, particularly in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Gujarat, and northern India.
Significance of Durga Ashtami
Hindu mythology says that on this day, the goddess Durga took her fierce form, Mahishasuramardini, to defeat the demon Mahishasura, who was wreaking havoc on the universe. The eight forms of Goddess Durga, known as Ashta Matrika, are also worshipped during Durga Ashtami in many regions.
1. Fasting and Devotional Practices
Many devotees observe a strict fast, consuming only fruits and water, while others opt for a sattvic meal without onion and garlic.
Special prayers and Durga Saptashati recitations are performed in homes and temples.
2. Kumari Puja (Kanya Pujan)
A major highlight of Durga Ashtami is Kanya Pujan, where nine young girls (symbolizing the nine forms of Durga) are worshiped.
Their feet are washed, they are offered prasadam (puris, chana, and halwa), and given gifts.
3. Temple Celebrations and Cultural Events
Grand aarti and bhajans are organized in temples.
In West Bengal, people participate in Sandhi Puja, performed at the transition of Ashtami and Navami.
Durga Ashtami is a day of devotion, strength, and divine blessings, reminding devotees of the power of Goddess Durga to protect and guide them.
Jai Mata Di!
දින ජ්යොතිර්විද්යාත්මකව ගණනය කර ඇත (අමාන්ත ගණනය, ඉන්දීය සම්මත වේලාව, නිරයන/ලාහිරි ක්රමය) — ප්රාදේශීය පිළිගැනීම දිනකින් වෙනස් විය හැක. ඕනෑම දිනයක තිථි අවසාන කාලය, මුහූර්ත කාල පරාසය සහ චෝඝඩියා සඳහා පඤ්චාංග දින දර්ශනය බලන්න.
