Bangalis, how excited are you to wear new outfits and dance to the beats of dhaak? Only 8 days are left for Maa Durga’s homecoming and we cannot keep calm. We yearn for the five days of Durga Puja throughout the year and now that we are so close to celebrating the festival, we are getting too elated and eager. Durga Ashtami is one of the most auspicious and special days of Bengali’s grandest festival. To know more about Mahashtami, read on.
Durga Ashtami Will Fall On October 11 This Year
The important day of Mahashtami will be celebrated on October 11, 2024, just 10 days away from Tuesday. The sacred tithi will start at 12:31 PM on October 10 and continue till 12:06 PM the next day. Considered the most significant and fortunate day of the grand festival, several auspicious rituals are performed on this day.
While Bengalis are known to eat fish and meat during Durga Puja, many Bengali households cook only vegetarian dishes on this Durga Ashtami. Many Bengalis follow the tradition of eating veg food and completely avoid anything cooked with rice this day.
This day witnesses the celebrations of some of the most crucial traditions and rituals. The festivities begin early in the morning with devotees and priests involved in arranging essentials and offering prayers to Maa Durga. In comparison to previous years, Ashtami rituals will be performed in different durations this year due to the tithi. Usually, devotees offer Pushpanjali and chant prayers in front of Maa Durga in the morning hours. However, everyone will need to complete these traditions early in the morning due to this year’s Mahashtami timing.
More Rituals Of Mahashtami
From doing Kumari Puja to performing Sandhi Puja, many rituals are performed to appease Maa Durga on this day. One of the most important festivities of Durga Puja is Sandhi Puja. This sacred ritual begins when Ashtami transitions into Navami. It takes place between the last 24 minutes of Mahashtami tithi and the first 24 minutes of Mahanavami tithi.
Just like Saraswati Puja, Bengali women wear sarees and men wear Punjabi on Mahashtami and visit pandals all around.
What are your plans for Ashtami?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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