Traditionally, Durga Puja lasts for 10 days. Every day, devotees worship the deity and perform various rituals. But the most important celebrations and activities occur on the last 5 days, leading to the immersion of the Durga idols, popularly known as Vijaya Dashami.
Durga Ashtami, the 8th day of the festival, has special importance. On this day, devotees celebrate the divine power and strength of Goddess Durga. It manifests her victory over the demon Mahishasura. It lets people know that during unfavorable times, they need to use their strength and courage to overcome challenges and be victorious. As Durga Ashtami 2025 is just a few days away, devotees are gearing up for this important occasion. Let’s elaborate more on Durga Ashtami and discuss why people are inspired by the divine feminine energy on this day.
Durga Ashtami, the 8th day of the festival, has special importance. On this day, devotees celebrate the divine power and strength of Goddess Durga. It manifests her victory over the demon Mahishasura. It lets people know that during unfavorable times, they need to use their strength and courage to overcome challenges and be victorious. As Durga Ashtami 2025 is just a few days away, devotees are gearing up for this important occasion. Let’s elaborate more on Durga Ashtami and discuss why people are inspired by the divine feminine energy on this day.
When is Durga Ashtami in 2025?
In 2025, Durga Ashtami will be on Tuesday, 30 Sept 2025.
Durga Ashtami Story
As per Hindu mythology, Mahishasura, a powerful buffalo demon, had a boon that no man, god, or animal could kill him. So, he became extremely powerful and terrorized all the gods. He forcefully ruled over the heavens and earth & spread fear in every direction. Gods were unable to defeat him. So, they sought help from Goddess Durga, a powerful form of the divine feminine energy.
Remember, all gods combined their power to create goddess Durga. She had arms given by many gods. She fought Mahishasura intensely. On the 8th day of war, she killed him. People observe this day as Durga Ashtami and seek her blessings for courage, strength, and protection from evil forces.
Remember, all gods combined their power to create goddess Durga. She had arms given by many gods. She fought Mahishasura intensely. On the 8th day of war, she killed him. People observe this day as Durga Ashtami and seek her blessings for courage, strength, and protection from evil forces.
Importance of Durga Ashtami
It is believed that Goddess Durga is the symbol of the supreme force that runs the universe. Durga Ashtami reminds us that external forces may challenge us from time to time. We must use our strength and resilience to come out of adverse situations.
Feminine Power and Energy
Goddess Durga is the embodiment of the divine feminine energy in all beings. By celebrating Durga Ashtami, people invoke her compassion and strength. It also encourages the development of these qualities among men and women.
Goddess Durga is the embodiment of the divine feminine energy in all beings. By celebrating Durga Ashtami, people invoke her compassion and strength. It also encourages the development of these qualities among men and women.
Triumph of Good Over Evil
Durga Ashtami symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood, light over darkness, and good over evil. For many people, it marks the end of struggles in their lives. They believe that the deity’s blessings could help them conquer personal, professional, emotional, and financial challenges.
Maa Durga’s Symbol & Their Meanings
Goddess Durga has many symbols, which represent her divine nature, strength, and cosmic balance maintained by her.
Lion/Tiger
The lion or tiger is Durga’s vehicle. It symbolizes her courage and power. The lion is the king of beasts with the ability to conquer all features. Riding this animal manifests her control over all forces of nature- both domestic and wild. It also establishes her as the protector of humanity.
The lion or tiger is Durga’s vehicle. It symbolizes her courage and power. The lion is the king of beasts with the ability to conquer all features. Riding this animal manifests her control over all forces of nature- both domestic and wild. It also establishes her as the protector of humanity.
Ten Arms
In statues and paintings, goddess Durga is portrayed with 10 arms, each holding a different weapon. They represent her ability to present everywhere and perform several tasks at the same time. Moreover, she can fight evil forces on all fronts and protect devotees in all possible ways. These arms with weapons also establish the fact that Durga is a divine force that can face any challenge and register victory.
Weapons
In statues and paintings, goddess Durga is portrayed with 10 arms, each holding a different weapon. They represent her ability to present everywhere and perform several tasks at the same time. Moreover, she can fight evil forces on all fronts and protect devotees in all possible ways. These arms with weapons also establish the fact that Durga is a divine force that can face any challenge and register victory.
Weapons
Trident
It symbolizes three qualities: goodness, passion, and ignorance. It states that if required, Goddess Durga can eliminate negative forces to restore balance in the world.
Sword
It established Goddess Durga as the destroyer of illusion and falsehood.
Sudarshan Chakra (Discus)
It symbolizes righteousness. Using it, Goddess Durga eliminates evil forces and illusions and maintains divine order. It also manifests that the world revolves around her. Lord Vishnu gave this weapon to her.
Mace
Mace
It represents the power of wisdom and knowledge. She uses it to eradicate evil.
Bow and Arrow
Remember, bow and allow represent, respectively, readiness and precision. She is always ready to fight evil with divine timing and accuracy.
Conch
It symbolizes her call to righteousness and role in making people aware of humanity. Its sound manifests that good always wins over evil.
Lotus Flower
It manifests the unfolding of divine knowledge, spiritual growth, and purity. It is found in the muck, but blooms. It represents the fact that people can have spiritual enlightenment despite material struggles.
It manifests the unfolding of divine knowledge, spiritual growth, and purity. It is found in the muck, but blooms. It represents the fact that people can have spiritual enlightenment despite material struggles.
The Crescent Moon
It represents Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga. People worship her on the third day of Navratri.
Red Clothing
This symbolizes the deity’s vitality, power, and energy. It manifests that she can take fierce form to destroy evil.
This symbolizes the deity’s vitality, power, and energy. It manifests that she can take fierce form to destroy evil.
Three Eyes
These symbolize her vigilance. It is said that she watches all the happenings taking place in the universe and takes action to protect good from evil.
Mahishasura
It represents disorder, evil forces, and ignorance. Its struggle with Goddess Druga displays the fact that evil forces can disturb cosmic harmony.
It represents disorder, evil forces, and ignorance. Its struggle with Goddess Druga displays the fact that evil forces can disturb cosmic harmony.
Rituals of Durga Ashtami
Devotees perform many rituals on Durga Ashtami to bring themselves closer to the deity, purify the mind and soul, and seek her blessings.
Homa and Yagna
A good number of priests and devotees perform homas (fire rituals) and yagnas to evoke the blessings of Goddess Durga. Individuals witness two rituals and are a part of this religious activity.
Fasting
A good number of priests and devotees perform homas (fire rituals) and yagnas to evoke the blessings of Goddess Durga. Individuals witness two rituals and are a part of this religious activity.
Fasting
It helps people to cleanse their minds and bodies. By observing fast, they practice self-discipline and devotion. It also helps them to surrender their ego and worldly desires.
Sandhi Puja
Devotees perform this ritual at the juncture (Sandhikshan) between Ashtami and Navami Tithi. They light 108 lamps and offer red hibiscus flowers and sweets to the deity to please her. It is considered very auspicious. It highlights the moment when Goddess Durga took the appearance of Chamunda to kill demons Chanda and Munda.
Animal or Symbolic Sacrifice
To honor the killing of Mahishasura by the hands of Goddess Durga, on Durga Ashtami, people in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Nepal perform animal sacrifice. It symbolizes the destruction of inner negativity, such as ignorance, anger, and ego. Many perform symbolic sacrifices.
Chandi Path
Many priests perform the Chandi Path on Durga Ashtami. It is also known as Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya. They recite 700 verses praising Goddess Durga, and highlight her victory over demons. By performing this ritual, they remove negative emotions, gain inner strength, and protect themselves from evil & misfortunes.
Conclusion
During Navratri, Durga Ashtami is very important. It reminds us that all of us have the power to defeat inner demons, overcome obstacles, and remain victorious despite difficulties. The worship of the deity on Durga Ashtami is much more than a ritual. It manifests her divine qualities, energy, and feminine power. Get ready for Durga Puja 2025 & Durga Ashtami, perform important rituals, exchange Durga Ashtami Wishes with all loved ones, and evoke her blessings for a peaceful and prosperous life ahead. Happy Durga Puja 2025 to all. Get all the required statues and paintings from Cottage9.
