Chaitra Navratri 2023: Navratri has almost come to an end and Durga Ashtami is being celebrated today. Navratri is considered to be the most sacred and pious days to worship Goddess Durga. Devotees offer prayers to the nine forms of Goddess Durga in different ways . Some organise hawan and some devotees conduct kirtan or jagran. Navratri which falls during Chaitra Month is known as Chaitra Navratri. This year, Chaitra Navratri started from March 22 and it will culminate on March 30 with Ram Navami and Kanya Pujan. Durga Ashtami is being celebrated on Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra i.e., March 29, 2023.
Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 8: Shubh Muhurat for Kanya Pujan
| Ashtami Tithi Begins | March 28, 2023 – 07:04 PM |
| Ashtami Tithi Ends | March 29, 2023 – 09:09 PM |
| Shubh Muhurat |
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Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 8: Significance
The festival of Durga Ashtami has a great significance among Hindus. As per the Hindu mythology, after killing all the demons Maa Kalratri appeared in the normal form of Goddess Durga and all the deities worshiped Goddess Durga and they were offering prayers to the Goddess. Maa Durga is known as the mother of the universe and the power who is behind the creation, destruction and preservation of the universe. She is the mother nature. Goddess Durga has ten arms, who holds different types of weapons to protect the devotees. The day of Durga Ashtami is celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga over the demons named Mahishasura, Chand Munda, Shumbh Nishumbh and Raktabeej.
In various parts of India, devotees worship Maha Gauri Maa who has a glowy fair complexion. She wears white colored ornaments. She represents calmness. People who worship the Goddess with pure intentions, get prosperity, happiness, wealth and health. She represents calmness. People who worship the Goddess with pure intentions, gets prosperity, happiness, wealth and health. The left upper hand holds a ‘Damru’ and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.
Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 8: Colour
Pink colour is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. She purifies the soul and remove all the sins committed by the devotees in this birth or past births. Devotees must offer Lotus flower to the Goddess along with pink colour clothes and shringar items.
Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 8: Puja Vidhi
1. Wake up early in the morning and take a holy bathe.
2. Prepare delicious satvik food – Halwa, Poori and Chana and break coconut.
3. Light a diya with desi ghee, offer flowers or garland, shringar items, put tilak.
4. Prepare a plate of bhog prasad to offer Goddess Durga.
5. Invite 9 girls aged between 4 to 12.
6. Wash their feet, Put tilak and tie mauli (sacred red thread) around their wrist.
7. Offer them food (Soojhi Halwa, Poori and Chana) along with small piece of coconut.
8. Devotees offer them Dakshina and gifts as per their choice.
9. Take their blessings by touching feet.
10. People should also donate food, fruits and clothes to the needy and poor girls.
Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 8: Mantra
1. 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..!!