Maha Ashtami 2024 Date

Maha Ashtami 2024 Date

Maha Ashtmi or Durga Ashtami falls in the kartik month every year as per the Hindu Calendar. The festival is widely celebrated in states of India such as West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, etc.  ‘Maha’ means ‘Great’ while ‘Ashtami’ means the ‘Eighth Day’, thus the name kept Maha Ashtami. The article informs all about Maha Ashtmi legends and significance of the festival. Maha Ashtami 2024 date is October 11, Friday, 2024.

Maha Ashtami and Related Legend

  • According to a legend, Goddess Durga had a fight with Mahisharura, a demon King. The Festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over this demon king. It is believed that the world was under the threat of Mahishasura (a buffalo demon) who was defeated by either man or God. Therefore, all the Gods came together and give a rise to Goddess Durga. This Ten-handed Goddess used the deadliest weapons from each God.
  • This festival is also known as Durga Puja and it is connected with the Lord Rama’s legend. According to Ramayana, Goddess Sita (wife of Lord Rama) was abducted by Ravana. To get back Sita from Ravana, Rama went with an army of monkey fought a battle with demon king Ravana. Before he went to battle, he prayed Goddess Durga and seek her blessings. Maha Ashtmi teaches us triumph of Good over Evil. It is an important festival  as on this day, devotees keep fast till the Puja gets over. Hindy Mythology believes that this is the second day of the battle between goddess Durga and Mahishasura which begins on Maha Saptami.

Important Events and Activities

  • West Bengal is known all over for celebrating Maha Ashtmi. THis festival is celebrated in a grand manner and with full preparations. People get festive mood in Kolkatta as markets are decorated; Goddess Durga idols are decorated, colorful dresses are available in the market. This is the second day of Devi Triratra Vratam.
  • In Delhi, several temples such as Kalkaji and Jhandewala hold major attraction. Devotees offer flowers, sweets and coconuts. Priests in temples chants and holy rituals are performed. Devotees line up from morning and offer Prasad and flowers. This day, people avoid eating non-vegetarian food.

Main Practices

Here are the practices performed on Maha Ashtmi:

  • Pandals: Pandals are the main attraction on Maha Ashtmi. These pandals are like temples adorned with decoration. Every neighbourhood create their unique and delightful Pandals. All these idols are displayed for public and commence rituals from morning onwards. Unique idols of Goddess Durga riding a lion, holding ten weapons in her ten hands is a beautiful sight. It is believed that goddess visit once in a year through this festival. All these pandals are based on special themes focussing on several social aspects of life of Goddess Durga.
  • Pushpanjali: Pushpanjali means offering flowers and on Maha Ashtmi, people offer flowers on the deity of Goddess Durga. Goddess is worshipped with 108 lotus flowers on this auspicious day. After offering the flowers, devotees recite mantras and take blessings from Goddess.
  • Sandhi Puja: Sandhi Puja or 108 'Dip' is a prominent ritual performed during Maha Ashtmi. 108 lamps are lighted to commence Sandhipuja when Durga turned into Chamunda to kill ‘Chando’ and ‘Mundo’, two generals of Mahishasura.
  • Mahagowri Puja: It is also an important part of Maha Ashtmi. It is all about Goddess Maha Gowri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga. Gowri or Gouri is the other name of Goddess Parvati. Gowri had done a lot of penance to get Lord Shiva as husband. Besides this, the day is also dedicated to Maa Saraswati during Navratri. And Bagalamukhi Dasamahavidya or Pitambari Dashamahavidya is also worshipped by Dashamahavidya sampradaya sect.
  • Bathukamma Festival: On Maha Ashtmi, Ashtami Bathukamma festival is celebrated in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Kanya Puja: Durga Ashtami is the most auspicious day to carry out Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja or Kanjak Puja, Suvasini Puja, or Dampat Puja (worship to married couple). Little girls are worshipped as ‘Kumari’. They are welcomed and given gifts.
  • Havans: Havan or ‘Fire Ceremony’ is also performed to overcome the evil around us. The sacred fire brings health, happiness, luck and prosperity.
  • Sacrifice: In certain parts of India especially rural and semi-urban areas, goats and buffaloes are sacrificed in front of the idols of Goddess Durga.

It is a restricted holiday for people in India.

Maha Ashtami 2025 Date

Maha Ashtami 2025 date is September 30, Tuesday, 2025. We keep updating the dates. Please check this page for Maha Ashtami 2025 dates.