Maha Ashtami is the eighth day of Durga Puja. On this day, we can see people offering ‘Pushpanjali’ to Maa Durga by chanting the mantra. On this auspicious day, Goddess Durga’s virgin form is worshipped and this ritual is referred to as Kumari Puja. In this ritual, little girls are worshipped with the belief that they are the embodiment of the Goddess Durga. In the evening, at Sandhi Puja, a hundred and eight lotuses are offered to the goddess along with lightning and a hundred and eight lamps. Let’s check the article to know about Durga Puja Ashtami 2023 in detail.
Ashtami Puja Vidhi
- Devotees wake up early on this day and take a holy bath.
- Then, they prepare the delicious satvik food – Halwa, Poori, and Chana. After that, break a coconut.
- Next, they have to light a diya with desi ghee. Then, they need to offer flowers or garland, shringar items to Goddess Durga and thereafter they need to put tilak.
- They prepare a plate of bhog prasad in order to offer this to Maa Durga.
- After that, they invited nine girls of 4-12 years old.
- Then, they wash those girls’ feet, put tilak and then they tie mauli around the wrists of those girls.
- Those girls are offered foods like Soojhi Halwa, Poori, Chana, and a small piece of coconut.
- After that, devotees give them Dakshina & gifts.
- Then, they touch those girls’ feet and take their blessings.
Rituals For Durga Puja Ashtami 2023
- On this day, people are seen dancing ‘garba’ and wearing colourful clothes.
- We know Durga Puja Ashtami as ‘Astra Puja’ also because people worship the weapons of Goddess Durga on this day.
- This day is called Vira Ashtami because we can see the use of arms or martial arts on Ashtami.
Durga Puja Ashtami 2023 – Kumari Puja
On Durga Puja Ashtami, you can see a ritual wherein installing 9 small pots and then in those pots invoking 9 shaktis of Maa Durga are done. During Maha Ashtami, all 9 forms of Maa Durga are worshipped. On this day, unmarried young girl kids who are treated as Goddess Durga, are worshipped which is known as Kumari Puja.
Maha Ashtami Sandhi Puja 2023
- This Puja falls on Maha Ashtami. The time window of the last twenty-four minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first twenty-four minutes of Navami Tithi is considered Sandhi time.
- During the entire Durga Puja, sandhi time is the most auspicious time as well as the most vital ritual of Durga Puja.
- There is a custom of performing animal sacrifice that we know as Balidan at this sacred juncture. But devotees who do not prefer animal sacrifice, perform symbolic Bali with cucumber, banana, or pumpkin. You should know that for Brahmins, animal sacrifices are prohibited by scriptures. In Belur Math, you can see the symbolic Bali with bananas during Sandhi Puja.
Starting and Ending Time Of Astami Tithi And Sandhi Puja (Durga Puja Ashtami 2023)
| Starting Time | Ending Time | |
| Ashtami Tithi | 9:53 PM, 21st October | 7:58 PM, 22nd October |
| Sandhi Puja | 4:54 PM, 21st October | 5:42 PM, 22nd October |
Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja will be done between this time and the time of Sandhi Puja of Durga Puja Ashtami is One hour and thirteen minutes.
On Which Date Durga Puja Ashtami 2023 Will Be Celebrated?
Durga Puja Ashtami 2023 will be celebrated on 22nd October (Sunday) which is Kartik 04, 1430, according to the Bengali date.
Read More: 7 Durga Puja Special Recipes(Must Try)
Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 8— Mantra
- ॐ सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्रयम्बके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तुते।।
Om Sarva Mangal Mangalayayei Shive Sarvartha Sadhike..! Sharanyayi Triambike Gauri Narayani Namostute..!!
- 2. ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Maha Gaurya Namah..!!
- 3. सर्वाबाधा विनिर्मुक्तो, धन धान्यः सुतान्वितः। मनुष्यो मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति न संशयः ॥
Sarvabadha Vnirmukto Dhan Dhaanyaye Sutavvitaha..! Manushyo Matprasaaden Bhavishyati Na Sanshayah..!!
Durga Pushpanjali Mantra in Bengali ( মা দুর্গা পুষ্পাঞ্জলি মন্ত্র )
Conclusion
We know Mahashtami, also as Maha Durgashtami, one of the important days of Durga Puja. This auspicious day begins with Mahasnan & Shodashopachar Puja which is quite the same as Maha Saptami Puja except the ritual “Prana Pratishtha ” which is done only on Maha Saptami. Maha Ashtami is considered the 8th day of Navaratri when Maa Durga killed all the demons and appeared as Mahagauri. Wish you a very very Happy Durga Puja Ashtami 2023
