Navratri is a 10-day Hindu festival that pays homage to Goddess Durga. On the 8th day of the festival falls the auspicious Durga Ashtami Pooja. Durga Ashtami Pooja 2025 will be celebrated in early October. Vibrant rituals, fasting, and cultural events are the highlights of this day, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the power of women. People perform Special Poojas at home and in temples on this auspicious occasion to invoke the Goddess’s blessings.
Goddess Durga is the divine feminine energy and the mother of the Universe, the power and force behind its creation, preservation, and destruction. The warrior goddess manifested to destroy all demons and restore righteousness in the Universe. She protects people from evil forces and black magic.
Origins of Durga Pooja Ashtami
Durga Ashtami Pooja has its roots in the Hindu scriptures and the myths of Goddess Durga’s battle against the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. It commemorates Durga’s appearance in her fierce and most powerful form to destroy evil. This tale is narrated in the Durga Saptashati, which is a part of the Markandeya Purana.
On the day of Durga Ashtami, devotees worship the eight forms of Durga, also called Mahashtami. An important ritual is the Kumari Pooja or Kanya Pooja (worship of young girls who symbolize the Goddess). This tradition has existed for centuries. It emphasizes the reverence for the Divine Feminine and the spirit of Shakti.
The young girls are invited to devotees’ homes and offered flowers, fruits, sweets, and gifts. They represent the essence of the Divine Feminine. By worshipping these young girls, devotees honor the goddess’s nurturing and protective power within all women that is awakened when evil forces threaten their loved ones. Thus, the ritual helps us connect with the goddess’s energy and gain her blessings for purity, strength, and the removal of hurdles in life.
Over the years, Durga Ashtami has become a major element of the Navratri festival. It is celebrated all over India. In West Bengal, Assam, and other eastern regions, it is a very important and popular festival. In many regions of India, it is also called Vira Ashtami. People also worship her divine weapons, which represent her valor and might, as part of the rituals.
Durga Ashtami Pooja falls on the Ashtami tithi of Shukla Paksha in Ashwin month as per the Hindu calendar.
The belief is that Goddess Chamunda appeared from the forehead of Durga on this day and killed the demons Chanda and Munda, as well as Raktabija. These demons were the allies of Mahishasura.
Devotees worship the 64 Yoginis and Matrikas (forms of Durga) on Mahashtami. The Ashta Shakti (8 powers) worshipped during Durga Pooja are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani, and Chamunda.
Devotees of Durga also worship her every month on Masik Durgashtami.
Legend behind Durga Ashtami
Mahishasura was a powerful demon with shape-shifting powers. A boon from Brahma made him invincible. Mahishasura became arrogant and began to terrorize the gods and humans. Even the Tridev – Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu – were powerless against him. Hence, they combined their powers and created Goddess Durga. She had ten arms that held divine weapons, and a lion was her mount.
Durga went into battle against Mahishasura. The battle lasted 9 days. Mahishasura sent his generals, Chanda, Munda, and Raktabija, to fight Durga. Raktabija was not easy to kill, as every drop of his blood that fell to the ground became another demon. However, Durga turned into her ferocious form, Kali, and drank every drop of Raktabija’s blood before it fell on earth. Then she chopped off Chanda’s and Munda’s heads. Her wrath still unabated, she turned on Mahisha, who took different forms – an elephant, a lion, and a buffalo – to befuddle her. But she killed him eventually.
To commemorate her victory, people celebrate the Navratri festival.
Durga Ashtami Rituals
∙ Special rituals are performed at homes and temples. Devotees pray to the goddess and offer her flowers and sweets.
∙ Many observe a fast.
∙ Kanya Pooja is one of the major rituals of Durga Ashtami Pooja. Young girls who symbolize the Goddess are worshipped.
∙ There will be processions, cultural performances, and decoration of public spaces with rangoli and lighting.
∙ Families get together, share meals, and distribute Prasad.
∙ Devotees light 108 earthen lamps and participate in the Sandhi Pooja, which marks the transition between the Ashtami and Navami tithis.
Durga Ashtami Pooja Vidhi
· Clean your house, especially the Pooja area.
· Decorate the Pooja area with flowers, rangoli, and a clean cloth.
· Place a picture or idol of Durga on a clean platform or altar.
· Cover the altar with a red, yellow, or white cloth.
· Place a kalash (sacred pot filled with water, mango leaves, and a coconut) beside the idol.
· Arrange items like flowers, fruits, incense sticks, diya (lamp), and prasad offerings.
· Wake up during Brahma Muhurta (around 4–5 AM).
· Wear clean and traditional attire.
· Sit in the Pooja area and take a Sankalpa (intention) to perform the Pooja.
· Place the kalash filled with water and betel leaves in front of the deity.
· Decorate the coconut on top with red cloth, representing Shakti. This symbolizes the presence of divine energy.
· Light an oil or ghee lamp.
· Offer flowers, akshata (unbroken rice), and vermilion to the Goddess.
· Recite Durga Mantras or even a simple “Om Dum Durgaye Namah.”
· Chanting Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) is very auspicious, or at least a few chapters of it.
· Prepare a plate with flowers, bel leaves, and grains of rice.
· Offer them at the Goddess’s feet while chanting Mantras.
· Invite 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 young girls (generally below 10 years old).
· Wash their feet, apply chandan/sandalwood paste, roli, and tie a sacred thread on their wrists.
· Offer them Bhog - puri, chana, and halwa.
· Gift them small presents or dakshina.
· You can also symbolically worship a small idol/doll as Kumari, if you are unable to invite girls.
Maha Ashtami Bhog includes:
· Puri (wheat deep-fried bread)
· Kala chana (black chickpeas)
· Halwa (semolina sweet)
· Fruits (especially bananas and apples)
· Coconut and dry fruits
Offer these to Durga, along with incense, diya, and Mantras. After this, distribute the bhog as prasad to family and friends.
Sandhi Pooja
This Pooja takes place in the evening at the intersection (Sandhi Kaal) of Ashtami and Navami tithi (last 24 minutes of Ashtami + first 24 minutes of Navami).
· It is believed to be the exact moment when Durga turned into Chamunda and killed the asuras Chanda and Munda.
· Light 108 lamps (if possible), or at least one large diya.
· Offer red hibiscus flowers, sindoor, fruits, incense, and chant Mantras.
· Chant the Devi Mahatmaya.
· Perform Arati with a lamp and bell, singing devotional songs or bhajans on the Goddess.
· Seek blessings for strength, health, peace, and prosperity.
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