PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: The eighth day of Navratri or Durga Puja celebrations is known as Durga Ashtami.

Wednesday, 5 April 2017

The eighth day of Navratri or Durga Puja celebrations is known as Durga Ashtami.

The eighth day of Navratri or Durga Puja celebrations is known as Durga Ashtami. It is also known as Mahashtami and is one of the most auspicious day according to Hinduism. It falls on the Ashtami tithi of Chaitra month according to the Hindu calendar. It is believed in some regions, the Goddess Kali appeared on this day from the forehead of Mother Durga and annihilated Chanda, Munda, and Rakthabija (the demons who were associates of Mahishasura). The 64 Yoginis and Ashta Nayikas (the eight consorts of Goddess Durga) are worshiped during the Durga Puja rituals on Mahashtami. The Ashta Nayikas, also known as Eight Shaktis, are interpreted differently in different regions of India. But ultimately, all the eight goddesses are incarnations of Shakti. They are the same powerful Divine Feminine, representing different energies. The Ashta Nayikas worshiped during Durga Puja are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda.!