Ashtami is celebrated with full passion and happiness and is considered the most important day of Durga Puja for Bengalis. Everyone is celebrating Sharad Navaratri in the country as it is a big festival for Indians in which Goddess Durga is worshipped.
It spans 9 days which started from 27 September this year and will last till 7 October. Durga Ashtami is celebrated with joy all around the country, Ashtami falls on the eighth day of Navaratri which is on 6 October.
Here is the significance of Durga Ashtami:
Date & Puja Time
This year, Maha Durga Ashtami will be celebrated on 6 October. During this day, people keep a fast, worship Goddess Durga, render chants and do yoga. The Ashtami Tithi will begin at 9:51 am on 5 October and end at 10:54 am on 6 October.
Significance of Durga Ashtami and Kanjak
The eighth day of Navartri ie Maha Ashtami is dedicated to Goddess MahaGauri. People keep a fast on this auspicious occasion and some even do Kanya Pujan or Kanjak in which they invite nine girls to their house. These nine girls are worshipped as goddesses. First, people wash their feet. After that, they feed them prasad which mostly comprises halwa, poori and black channa. These nine young girls are then given gifts. These nine pre-pubescent girls are seen as the embodiment of Durga. Some people also celebrate Kanya Pujan on the ninth day of Navaratri.
This year Maha Navami which is the ninth day of Navaratri falls on 7 October. On this day, people tend to end their fast after completing all the customs and hawan pujan. It is considered that the kanya pujan or kanjak is best to celebrate this day but it can be celebrated on any nine days of Navaratri.
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