Durga Ashtami 2019: Why Is It The Most Auspicious Day Of Navratri Festival And How Is It Celebrated?
Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami is the most auspicious of the 10-day Navratri festival starting after Pitru-Paksha.People celebrate this day with much fervor. According to traditions, Goddess Kali appeared on this day and killed the demons.
Story of appearance of Goddess Kali
Maa Durga was fighting the demons when the Goddess Durga appeared from her forehead to punish the demons that were trying to destroy the world order and establish their reign. Those demons were associated with Mahishasur that was killed by Maa Durga. Maa Durga appeared as a little girl riding a lion and she killed the dreaded Mahashasur.
Goddess Kali appeared to kill the remaining demons and free the earth from their demonic powers. Durga Ashtami is celebrated by worshipping all the incarnations of Maa Durga. Goddess Durga’s eight consorts are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda.
How Durga Ashtami is celebrated?
People go to temples to offer their prayers to Maa Durga. Prasad of Halwa and Puriis prepared and offered to girls of tender age. Since Maa Durga appeared as a little girl, all girls are considered incarnation of Maa Durga on this day. In modern days, people give gifts to girls. The 10-day Navratri festival concludes with Sandhi Puja in evening. Also, bhandaras are hosted to serve prasad to people visiting temples.
Durga Ashtami on social media
People share images and quotes of Durga Ashtami on social media including WhatsApp. Also, they exchange text messages and multimedia messages with their friends, relatives and loved ones.
Source: https://bit.ly/2o6GAjf