Navratri Day 8, known as Durga Ashtami, is a significant day in the Shardiya Navratri festival, which began on October 3 and will conclude on October 12. This nine-day Hindu celebration honours Goddess Durga, who vanquished the demon king Mahishasura. On Durga Ashtami, devotees especially worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, symbolising purity and serenity.

This day is marked by special rituals, including the chanting of mantras and offering prayers, as devotees seek blessings for strength and wisdom. During these nine days, worshippers venerate the nine forms of the goddess, asking for guidance and protection.

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Navratri Day 8: Worshipping Maa Mahagauri

Day 8 of Navratri, October 10, is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri who is the third form of Goddess Durga. In Hindu mythology, she is known for her beauty and bright complexion which earned her the name Mahagauri. She rides a bull which also connects her to her form, Goddess Shailputri. Goddess Mahagauri is depicted with four hands. She carries Trishul in one right hand and keeps the second right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She adorns Damaru in the one left hand and keeps the second left hand in Varada Mudra.

Navratri Day 8: Colour Of The Day

On the eighth day of Navratri, celebrate by wearing pink to honour Maa Mahagauri. This beautiful colour represents universal love, affection and harmony. Wearing pink not only enhances your charm but also makes you more approachable. Wear this vibrant colour as you celebrate Navratri and bring warmth and positivity to the day.

Navratri Day 8: Bhog To Offer

Devotees offer coconut or dishes made from coconut as bhog to Goddess Mahagauri. This offering is believed to help cleanse one’s sins and seek her blessings for prosperity and success.

Other common offerings on Durga Ashtami include:

1. Nawab BhogA mix of rice, lentils, and vegetables, symbolizing abundance.
2. KheerA sweet rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and cardamom.
3. FruitsFresh seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, and pomegranates.
4. SweetsTraditional sweets like laddus, pedas, or barfis.
5. PulsesVarious lentils or legumes, symbolizing nourishment and prosperity.

Navratri Day 8: Shubh Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, these are auspicious mahurats for the day 8 of Navratri:

Brahma Muhurta

• Start Time: 4:40 AM
• End Time: 5:30 AM

Abhijit Muhurat

• Start Time: 11:45 AM
• End Time: 12:31 PM

Pratah Sandhya

• Start Time: 05:05 AM
• End Time: 06:19 AM

Amrit Kalam

• Start Time: 12:48 AM on October 11
• End Time: 2:26 AM on October 11

Navratri Day 8: Puja Vidhi For Maa Mahagauri

To worship Maa Mahagauri on the eighth day of Navratri, follow these simple steps:

• Wake up early, take a bath and wear clean clothes.
• Purify the idol of Maa Mahagauri and dress her in traditional garments.
• Offer jasmine flowers to the goddess and apply a tilak using kumkum or roli, followed by chanting various prayers, including Mantra, Stuti, Stotra and Kavacha.
• Present coconut-based sweets as bhog to Maa Mahagauri and conclude the puja by performing her Aarti.

Navratri Day 8: Worshipping Maa Mahagauri Significance

Maa Mahagauri is linked to the planet Rahu and is known for bringing wealth and a good lifestyle to her devotees. Worshipping her on the eighth day of Navratri is believed to help bring peace and prosperity, easing the difficulties in life. Her blessings are thought to provide comfort and abundance to those who honor her.

The vibrant Hindu festival of Shardiya Navratri, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, started on October 3 and will culminate on October 12. Celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin, this nine-day event is filled with rituals, fasting, and cultural activities across the country. Devotees honour the goddess through various traditions. The festival concludes with Dussehra, or Vijaya Dashami, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Navratri 2024 Day 2: Worshipping Mata Brahmacharini

Shardiya Navratri Day 2 is devoted to worshipping Goddess Brahmacharini, the second form of Navdurga. Dressed in white, the goddess radiates peace and grace. She holds a kamandal (a water pot) in one hand and a japa mala (prayer beads) in the other, symbolising her deep commitment to penance. According to Hindu scriptures, Brahmacharini performed intense penance to win the love of Lord Shiva.

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Devotees believe that worshipping her brings happiness, wisdom and serenity into their lives.

Navratri 2024 Day 2 Colour: What It Symbolises

Wearing green on Friday, October 4, during Navratri symbolises nature and brings feelings of growth, fertility and tranquillity. Green, associated with renewal and serenity, is believed to invoke the blessings of peace and calm from Goddess Durga. It also represents a fresh start in life.

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Each day of Navratri honours a specific manifestation of Goddess Durga, and the colours worn are believed to channel the virtues and values of that particular form, connecting devotees more closely to the divine energy of the festival.

Puja Vidhi for Mata Brahmacharini on Day 2

Several rituals are performed in honour of Mata Brahmacharini on the second day of Shardiya Navratri.

Preparation

• Take a bath after waking up early.
• Change into clean clothes, ideally matching the day’s colour.
• The Puja space then needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

Worship Steps

• The goddess Brahmacharini’s idol is then steeped in milk and honey, and vermillion is applied to its forehead.
• Devotees offer milk, rice, curd, honey, sandalwood, flowers and other offerings to Goddess Brahmacharini at puja.
• The Goddess is worshipped during the puja using hibiscus and white lotus flowers.

Concluding Rituals

It is recommended to make Bhog, or food offerings, as soon as the puja is completed.

Shubh Muhurat for Navratri Day 2

The second day of Navratri falls on Sharad Navratri’s Dwitiya Tithi. It is usually done at the exceedingly auspicious Abhijit Muhurat.

Abhijit Muhurat

• Start Time: 11:46 AM
• End Time: 12:33 PM

Brahma Muhurat

• Start Time: 04:38AM
• End Time: 05:27AM

Bhog to Offer Mata Brahmacharini on Navratri Day 2

On the second day of Navratri, devotees offer prasad of sugar to Goddess Brahmacharini. This offering is believed to bring sweetness and joy into their lives.