Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian subcontinent. It honors the Hindu goddess Durga and celebrates Durga’s victory over Mahishasur.
It is prevalent and widely observed in the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tripura, Assam, and Bangladesh. The festival is held during Ashwin in the Indian calendar, corresponding to September-October in the Gregorian calendar.
Durga Puja is a ten-day festival, with the last five days being the most important. The puja is performed privately and publicly, including a temporary stage and structural decorations (known as pandals).
Durga puja is a significant festival in Hinduism’s Shaktism tradition. The festival also includes scripture recitations, performance arts, prayers, gift-giving, family visits, feasting, and public processions.
Durga puja in Kolkata was marked on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2021.
Durga puja is an ancient Hindu tradition, though its exact origins are unknown. In modern times, Durga puja is more important as a social and cultural festival than a religious one, regardless of where it is celebrated.
Durga Ashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami, is one of the most auspicious days of the Durga Puja Festival and is widely celebrated, particularly in West Bengal. In this part of the country, the ten-armed goddess riding the lion is worshipped.
Goddess Durga’s weapons are also worshipped while reciting mantras in a ritual known as Astra Puja. Ashtami is the eighth day of the festival, and on this auspicious day, devotees fast, feast, and worship Goddess Durga, who represents strength.
The Mythology behind Durga Ashtami:
Lord Bramha once granted Mahishasura, the king of the Asuras, a boon that no man or god could kill him. The immense power fueled his desire to rule the world. He began torturing heaven and its inhabitants.
He invaded the world with his Asura battalion, looting and brutally killing the people. The gods were exiled from heaven, and Mahishasura captured the throne. Fearful and unable to combat him, the Gods requested Lord Shiva, Lord Bramha, and Lord Vishnu to end Mahishasura’s oppression.
In response, the three Gods united their divine energy and summoned a bright feminine form. Devi Durga, a Goddess with ten arms riding a lion, appeared from the glow. This collective power fell on Sage Kattyana’s on Krishna Chaturdashi (the fourteenth day of the new moon) in the month of Ashwin (September-October).
Beautiful Durga, fully grown and armed by the gods, was named “Kattyani” because she was born in the ashram of sage Kattyana. For Shukla Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami tithi, the sage worshipped her.
Then, on the Dashami tithi, she killed Masishasura. She was sent to fight against Mahishasura armed with godly power symbols such as Vishnu’s discus, Shiva’s Trishul, Varuna’s conch shell, Agni’s blazing dart, Vayu’s bow, Surya’s quiver and arrow, Yama’s iron rod, Indra’s thunderbolt, Kubera’s club, and a garland of snakes from Shesha, and a lion.
Finally, when Mahishasura charged against Durga, disguised as a buffalo, the Devi beheaded the buffalo, and Mahishasura appeared in his original form. Durga used the Trishul to stab his chest, freeing the world from the evil power.
She is known as ‘Durgatinashini Durga,’ our mother goddess who destroys evil, protects her devotees, and brings world peace and prosperity. We worship Durga as the mother goddess, the embodiment of ‘Shakti’ (divine power), to protect us from evil and bring us peace and prosperity.
A fascinating feature of Durga Ashtami is that instead of placing Durga in a temple and worshipping her from afar, Bengalis welcome her in their hearts and make her an inseparable family member.
As the daughter returns to her parent’s home every year, Goddess Durga is welcomed. Durga stays for four days—Sashti, Saptami, Ashtami, and Nabami—along with her children, Ganesha, Laxmi, Kartik, and Saraswati—before departing for her husband’s home on Vijaya Dashami.
The scriptures describe Durga’s journey to Earth in great detail. The modes, which include an elephant, a horse, a palanquin, and a boat, represent good fortune or a prophecy that influences life on Earth.
The elephant symbolizes prosperity and a bountiful harvest, whereas the horseback journey means drought, a palanquin represents a widespread epidemic, and the boat signifies flood and misery.
On the other hand, the worship of Devi Durga in October can be traced back to Krittibas Ojha’s “Ramayana.” Sree Rama rushes to worship Durga, the goddess of ‘Shakti,’ before departing for Lanka to save Sita from Ravana.
Puranas state that King Suratha used to worship the goddess Durga in the spring. As a result, Durga Ashtami was also referred to as Basanti Puja. However, Rama delays the Puja and worships the Devi in autumn, known as ‘Akal Bodhon,’ or untimely worship. This Akal Bodhon has become a tradition in Bengal.
Origin of Durga Ashtami:
According to available archaeological and textual evidence, Durga is an ancient Hindu god. On the other hand, the origins of Durga Ashtami are unknown and undocumented. Surviving manuscripts from the 14th century provide procedures for Durga puja. At the same time, historical records show that royal and wealthy families have conducted Durga Puja public festivities since at least the 16th century.
The Jain text Yasatilaka by Somadeva, written in the 11th or 12th centuries, mentions an annual festival devoted to a warrior goddess, celebrated by the king and his armed forces. The description reproduces aspects of Durga Ashtami.
Durga and related terms appear in Vedic literature, such as various Rigveda hymns and Atharvaveda sections. Durgi is a god mentioned in some sections of the Taittiriya Aranyaka. While the word Durga is used in Vedic literature, the description lacks mythical details about her or Durga puja, which are found in later Hindu literature.
Devi Mahatmya, recited during the Ashtami day, is an introductory text associated with the Durga puja. Durga was most likely well-established when this Hindu text was written, and scholars place the date between 400 and 600 CE.
The Devi Mahatmya scripture tells Mahishasura’s evil forces as shape-shifting and deceptive to fulfill their malicious intentions. Durga calmly understands and fights evil to accomplish her objectives. Durga emerges as an independent god in Indian texts in various forms. She appears in Harivamsa as Vishnu’s tribute and Pradyumna’s prayer. The Mahabharata characters Yudhisthira and Arjuna both chanted Durga hymns. Durga’s prominent mention in such epics may have led to her worship.
The references to Durga Ashtami in Indian texts are irregular. According to a legend in some versions of the Puranas, it is a spring festival. In contrast, the Devi-Bhagavata Purana and two other Shakta Puranas say it is an autumn festival.
4. Significance of Durga Ashtami:
Astra Puja is also known as Virashtami, the eighth day of Navratri. The use of all weapons, along with a martial arts display, is prohibited as they are worshipped on this day. Ma Durga decided to destroy the demon Mahishasura to answer the prayers of gods and humans. All the gods gifted Ma Durga their godly weapons and powers as she prepared for the war.
On Ashtami, all those weapons were worshipped and given to Ma Durga; thus, the day became known as Astra Puja. Another name given to this day, ‘Virashtami,’ celebrates Ma Durga’s courage and bravery.
Ma Kali emerged from the face of Durga on Ashtami. Also, Ashtanayikas, or Durga’s eight aspects, emerged from her and assumed their roles in the war. As a result, the war with Mahishasura gained total momentum and force on Ashtami. Kali fought fiercely with the demons Chanda, Munda, and Raktabhija.
Ashtami is important in worshipping the 64 Yoginis, Ma Kali, Ma Durga, and the Ashtanayikas as part of the Navratri puja. Brahmacharini, Maheshwari, Kameshwari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani, and Maa Chamunda are the eight aspects of Durga that appeared from her and took on distinct forms and names. Each of these aspects represents a different characteristic of Ma Durga.
The puja performed on Navratri Ashtami is meant to appease all aspects of Ma Durga at once, which is essential. Ma Durga is said to have appeared on Ashtami. On Ashtami, special pujas are conducted for Ma Durga. Maha Ashtami or Maha Durga Ashtami is the Ashtami that falls during the Navratri festival.
This is also the second of the final three days of Navratri, dedicated to worshipping Ma Durga. Durga is honored with an elaborate puja on Maha Durga Ashtami. Ashtami and Navami are auspicious days to celebrate the spirit of womanhood.
Therefore, Hindus all over India observe Kanya Pujan on this day. Generally, nine girls who have not reached puberty are invited to homes and have their feet washed. Shilaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri are the nine forms of Durga. They are given delicious food and excellent gifts to appease Ma Durga. It is believed that the eighth incarnation of Maa Durga, Maha Gauri, was born on Ashtami.
On Ashtami, the most famous Sandhi puja associated with Navratri is performed. This is the Ashtami tithi’s end and the Navami tithi’s beginning. Balidan, or sacrifice, is offered to Ma Durga at this point because animal sacrifice is forbidden for Hindus, a symbolic Balidan of cutting vegetables such as pumpkin is performed on this day.
Anybody who performs the Durga Ashtami Vrat with utmost devotion is said to be blessed with joy and prosperity throughout their lives.
5. Places of celebration of Durga Ashtami:
Durga Ashtami, the day of good achieving victory over evil, is celebrated differently in different places, with each place having its unique way of celebration.
West Bengal’s most eagerly anticipated holiday is Durga Puja. About a month before, preparations to welcome Goddess Durga begin. Dazzling pandals and decorative idols are set up at various locations throughout the state; Kolkata’s streets are illuminated at night with beautiful lighting. As part of the festivities, people visit Durga Puja pandals, dance to the sounds of the dhak (a percussion instrument), and eat delicious bhog.
Sindoor Khela, during which married Bengali women generally put sindoor or vermilion on each other’s faces, is one of the essential celebrations celebrating the conclusion of the Durga Puja holiday. This occurs after waving goodbye (darpan visarjan) to the goddess.
Rituals for celebrating Durga Puja in Bihar are similar to that in UP. On the day of Ashtami, young girls are fed in both states (Kanya pujan). For Goddess Durga, pandals are raised, and the Durga Saptashati is recited in her honor.
Ramlila, a performance based on the life of Lord Rama, including the kidnapping of his wife Sita by Ravana and the victory of good over evil, is performed throughout both states to celebrate Navratri. It is performed across the states on temporary platforms, particularly for such performances and in theatres.
In Gujarat, worshippers of the goddess observe a nine-day fast in memory of her nine manifestations. Fasting women often worship an earthen vessel or garbo decorated with diyas or earthen lamps. The pot is considered an abundance of shakti and represents life inside the womb (power).
Gujaratis know how to celebrate holidays with energy, from keeping fasts to performing the famed Garba, a dance in which men and women circle the idol or garbo. They also celebrate the eighth day by feeding the young girls and giving them gifts or money.
The tribal people of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, in particular, go all out to celebrate Navratri. On the thirteenth day of the waxing moon or Shukla paksha, the Bastar tribe concludes its 75-day festival.
The tribe also observes a celebration called Bastar Dussehra that dates back five centuries and involves the march of the idols of Devi Maoli and her sisters from Bastar to the Danteshwari Temple in Jagdalpur.
In addition to being the home of numerous goddesses, the state of Himachal Pradesh in the north also has a unique fact. There, Navratri celebrations begin just as they are coming to an end nationwide.
Navratri, when Lord Rama is worshipped alongside other gods in the Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu Valley, brings to life the devotion of the people of Himachal to Lord Ram.
The Kullu Dussehra is the state’s version of Dussehra. This represents the burning of Lanka or Lankadahan. On the Beas River’s banks, grass and timber are burned. On this day, the entire valley is decorated like a bride, and a massive parade is sent to the Paddal field to display icons of gods.
The state of Karnataka is well known for its Navratri celebrations, particularly in the city of Mysuru, often called Mysore.
Mysuru Dasara, the state festival of Karnataka, is celebrated with unusual brilliance and sticks to the same rituals practiced under King Raja Wodeyar I in 1610. On Ashtami, the eighth day of the celebration, the royal sword is glorified by being seated upon a throne. Later, the blade is carried out by a procession of elephants, camels, and horses.
At this time of year, the Mysuru Palace is a sight to behold. On the day of Ashtami, it is decorated with thousands of lights and flowers. The day’s celebrations are celebrated through the Jambo Savari, a large procession that bears Goddess Chamundeshwari, a Durga incarnation. Fairs are conducted all over the city, and the parade is conducted at the palace.
For Andhra Pradesh ladies, especially the unmarried ones, Navratri is a unique occasion. They pray to Goddess Gauri for the gift of a suitable mate. Bathukamma Panduga is the Telugu name of the celebration.
Because three goddesses are worshipped over the festival’s final three days, Tamil Nadu celebrates Durga Ashtami with thrice the usual excitement. In the southern state, the people worship Durga, Saraswati, and Lakshmi and give family members presents sweets, and coconuts.
The ceremony known as Golu or Kolu is the festival’s centerpiece. As part of the custom, young girls and women arrange traditional dolls and figures handed down through the years on a small wooden platform. The dolls here represent well-known myths, deities, and figures.
The rituals include Ayudha Puja as well. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped with tools for farming, reading, music, machinery, and cars.
During the nine days of Navarathri, or Navarathri as pronounced in Kerala, nine manifestations of the goddess Durga are honored. However, Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, is celebrated on the final three days of the Hindu festival. The worship of helpful instruments is a part of the ceremonies.
Another unique custom is performed on Ashtami, where a golden ring is used to write a mantra on young children’s tongues. The same mantra is then written on sand, and rice is spread out on a dish to represent the introduction of knowledge to a youngster.
The celebration of Durga Puja is not restricted to the nation of India; it is celebrated worldwide. The Hindu population of Bangladesh enthusiastically observes the Durga Puja. Many Muslims from Bengal also attend the celebration.
On the days of Durga puja, a significant crowd of worshippers and tourists travel to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, specifically to the famous Dhakeshwari Temple. Dashain is the term given to the Durga Puja event in Nepal.
Beyond the Indian Subcontinent, the Bengali community in the United States of America also organizes Durga puja. There is a prominent Bengali diaspora worldwide, and they try to conduct the Durga Puja holiday everywhere they go. It doesn’t matter if it happens in Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, or various regions of Europe. Durga puja is organized worldwide by Bengali Hindu groups from Bangladesh and West Bengal, India.
Bengali Hindus comprise a sizable portion of Canada’s Greater Toronto Area population. Different Bengali cultural organizations in Toronto, including the Bongo Poribar Sociocultural Association Bangladesh Canada Hindu Cultural Society (B.C.C.H.S.), reserve several locations to celebrate this festival. Toronto also has a dedicated temple to the goddess Durga, the “Toronto Durgabari.”
6. Rituals of Durga Ashtami:
The day begins with Devi Durga mahasnan on a mirror using various materials. This is quickly followed by shodashopachar puja, a detailed Devi worship with sixteen items (shodashopachara puja). Then, the other deities, attendants, and objects associated with Devi are worshipped.
According to mythology, today marks the anniversary of the intense battle between Ma Durga and the demon king Mahishasur. But what differentiates Maha Ashtami from the other days is that Devi Durga is worshipped as Mahishasur-Mardini, the killer of the demon Mahishasur. As a result, she is now known as Dasha-prahara-dharini, with ten arms holding weapons.
It transforms when the idol is glorified and the Deity invoked. She is no longer a clay figure but the living Goddess, the gentle Mother of the Universe, radiating power, shakti, knowledge, love, and joy. Who has come to bless her children and assure them of her protection like a fortress (durgo), thus adding meaning to her name Durga.
Durga, as Mahishasuramardini, reveals the Chandi that celebrates Shakti. In Bengal, Chandi, also known as the Chandi path, is an important ritual (priests recite the chandi path) observed for all nine days since Mahalaya, in addition to the regular Puja.
The 700 verses of Chandi, also known as Devi Mahatamya or Durga Saptashati scriptures, are part of the highest puranic composition, Markandeya Purana (one of the oldest 18 mahapuranas).
Ashta Shakti And Nava Durga Pujo
Worshiping Nava Durga – nine forms of Devi Durga and Ashta Shakti (eight different ferocious forms of Devi Durga) along with sixty-four yoginis is an integral part of the ritual. On Ashtami, nine small pots with flags of various colors are made and decorated, and the Nine Shaktis are invoked and worshipped in them. The Ashta Shakti are eight incarnations of Shakti, representing multiple energies.
Pushpanjali
Pushpanjali is possibly the most important ritual for all devotees. People generally fast (no food or drink) until Pushpanjali. Pushpanjali is offered to Ma Durga on all occasions, but Ashtami pushpanjali is the most important.
Kumari Puja
Another vital aspect of Maha Ashtami Puja is that Kumari Puja / Kanjak puja is performed in many parts of Bengal and elsewhere (though not everyone follows this tradition).
It is an age-old concept to imagine the Goddess as a Kumari. This tradition has become more prominent in Belur Math since the time of Swami Vivekananda, who initiated it. According to Sri Ramakrishna, the Divine Mother manifests more in a pure-hearted girl, which is why Kumari Puja is performed. The Kumari form of Chandika is mentioned in the Puranas.
Young girls are worshipped first, then the priest seeks their blessings (as they represent Ma Durga herself) and is then presented with gifts such as cloth, gold or silver, and a lunch of luchi / poori and sweets, among other things.
Ashtami Sandhi Pujo
The last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami (48 minutes between the two lunar days) constitute the Sandhi or” Sacred Juncture.” It is considered to be a most auspicious time. At this time, Ma Durga is worshiped as Chamunda (that is, Kali, who had appeared from Durga’s third eye to kill the demon Chanda and Munda). This Puja is considered to be the highest point in the whole Durga Puja and the most important ritual.
Many people fast until Sandhi puja (mostly nirjala, which means no water; those who can’t do it for health reasons or other reasons can have tea or coffee but no food).
Following sandhi puja, people worship Ma Durga by lighting 108 diyas / earthen lamps. One hundred eight blue lotuses were offered at the goddess’ feet before performing Vedic home-yajna, celebrating the sacrifice of the buffalo demon king, Mahishasura, amidst shlokas, chants, and Vedic mantras.
It is expected to perform Bali, or animal sacrifice, at this sacred juncture. Traditionally, a buffalo or goat is sacrificed, but in many homes today, only a symbolic ritual of cutting the white pumpkin or chal kumro is performed.
Ashtami Bhog
There is a tradition of serving bhog to Ma Durga on all days and then distributing it to devotees. Ashtami bhog is special, and no one wants to miss it.
A divine platter of bhoger khichuri (without onion, garlic, ginger, and salt), labra (a medley of mixed vegetables prepared without onion/ garlic and salt), payesh (the most pious and ancient bhog), luchi / poori is offered to Ma Durga and then distributed among the devotees.
However, in commercial pandals, where thousands flock to receive Ma Durga’s divine blessing, a few items such as chutney, papad, and rasgulla are added that are not usually part of the divine platter. Durga Ashtami is a strictly vegetarian (satvik) day for most Bengalis.
7. When will Durga Ashtami be celebrated in 2025?
| Date | Day | Occasion |
| 28th September 2025 | Sunday | Maha Sashthi |
| 29th September 2025 | Monday | Maha Saptami |
| 30th September 2025 | Tuesday | Maha Ashtami |
| 1st October 2025 | Wednesday | Maha Navami |
| 2nd October 2025 | Thursday | Vijaya Dashami |
8. Conclusion:
People worship the goddess Durga at Durga Ashtami to purify their surroundings of all negative energy and thoughts. People think that celebrating Durga Puja makes life happier and more peaceful. Durga Puja also inspires people to win over the difficulties they encounter in life. Additionally, it helps obtain prosperity, wisdom, and freedom from sin.
Regardless of their faith, background, or status, everyone in India celebrates and participates in this significant celebration. People from West Bengal and Odisha are particularly fond of this occasion. Dance and cultural programs are the festival’s most important components. On this occasion, people also eat a variety of delectable traditional foods. The city of Kolkata is adorned with pandals and food stalls. Because of this, many people—both Bengalis and visitors—enjoy delicious dishes and treats. All trades, institutions, and schools in West Bengal are closed.
9. Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. What should we do during Durga Ashtami?
Ans: The ceremonies of Ashtami begin with a large bath, or mahasnan, to cleanse oneself of impurities. Those who worship Mahagauri must present her with yellow flowers, halwa, puris, and black chickpeas. When honoring the goddess, one should dress in yellow or white. One hundred eight earthen lamps must be lit during the aarti to please the goddess and seek her blessings.
Q. What should we not do during Durga Ashtami?
Ans: On the day of Ashtami, mothers should refrain from performing any soil-related tasks. On the day of fasting, avoid using sharp objects like knives, scissors, etc. On this day, don’t sew anything or perform any other labor. Spend quality time with your family. Never argue or verbally attack somebody. Prepare sattvik cuisine for the family at home without using onion or garlic.
Do not overfeed anything with oil or spices. Non-veg food must be strictly avoided. You may lie down to relax on the day you fast, but you must not sleep. Sleep only after breaking the fast at night. With a steel or brass vessel, arghya should be administered to the wires. The use of copper utensils is absolutely prohibited. People should refrain from gambling and other corrupt practices during this day. Alcohol consumption or any other intoxication must be avoided.
Q. What is Kumartuli?
Ans: Amazing Durga idols are created in Kumartuli, a location close to Kolkata. Beautiful idols of gods and goddesses are famously created there. Here, master artisans demonstrate their knack for making idols.
Q. Which goddess is worshipped on Ashtami?
Ans: On the day of Ashtami, Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth avatar of Goddess Durga and one of the Navadurgas, is worshipped. Maa Mahagauri is thought to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva’s holy consort, Devi Parvati.
Q. How many Kanya are there in Ashtami?
Ans: The Devi Bhagwat Puran states that the young girls worshipped on the day of Ashtami are the form of Goddess Durga. This is why nine girls and a boy (Langur) are worshipped and nourished well on this day. Kanjak Puja or Kanya Puja are the names of this ritual.
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