When did the Maha Ashtami in India start?
About Maha Ashtami in India Holiday
Maha Ashtami is one of the most important religious festivals that is celebrated in India. It is a sacred festival marked by devotees of the goddess Durga and is revered by millions of Hindus all over the world. The festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the Navratri and marks the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.
Maha Ashtami celebrates the power of the feminine divine, as the goddess Durga is believed to have ten hands, each holding weapons to fight the demon. It is a day to honor and pay respect to the female-goddess, and devotees offer prayers and perform pujas of the goddess for her blessings. On this day, people dress up in traditional clothing, carry out fasting and prayers, and sing devotional songs to the goddess.
Maha Ashtami is also celebrated with other religious customs and rituals like jagran and arti, and social gatherings like dances and processions. It is a joyous day for community gatherings, and for gorging on delicious sweets and dishes. On this day, people connect with others through the celebration of the divine power of the goddess, and leave a lasting impact on all who come together to take part in this extraordinary and sacred festival of India.
Maha Ashtami in India
Maha Ashtami in India is a well-known celebration that marks a pivotal point in the sacred Hindu festival of Navratri. Despite some regional variations, the core traditions of this meaningful observance remain largely unchanged since its ancient origin. Devotees of the goddess express joy and offer prays through the performance of religious rituals, particularly centered around fasting and puja.
History and Origin
The observance of Maha Ashtami finds its origin in the Hindu mythology of the Vedic times, around 2000BC. Hinduism celebrates goddesses in many forms, each signifying different characteristics and positive qualities. In the Virat Gita of the Mahabharata, Maha Ashtami marks the time when Durga, one of the divine goddess forms, interned with Visnu, to create the goddess Adi Shakti. Adi Shakti was the divine feminine power, depicted with multiple hands and faces, which formed the protective force of the world. To honor this transformation and necessary protection, Maha Ashtami was instituted as a time of thanksgiving and worship.
In the modern days, the celebration of Maha Ashtami is an integral part of the nine-night long Navratri festival, which is typically observed from the ‘pratipada’ (first day of the full moon of the Hindu month) to ‘navmi’ (ninth day of the full moon of the Hindu month). During this time, devotees pay respect to different female goddesses by invoking them every night to form the nine divine manifestations – or the Navdurga. On the eighth night, or Ashtami, puja is conducted in powerful manifestations of ‘Maha Durga’ – which is the most revered form of all goddesses – and is believed to bring good fortune and blessings on all those who worship her.
Significance and Meaning
The Hindu religion venerates the goddess ‘Shakti’ (or strength) as an embodiment of power that can be used to protect the devotees from any harm. Devotees use this time to celebrate and revere the Nine Forms of Devi, or the Nine Remains of Shakti. At the end of this nine-night celebration, on Maha Ashtami, devotees thank Devi Adi Shakti for the protection and guidance provided to them in the past nine days.
Maha Ashtami also marks one of the four important days of the Diwali Festival. In this season of thanksgiving, it is a time to be grateful for the divine mercy that was bestowed upon us and to be mindful of our purpose in life. In many ways, Maha Ashtami serves as an invitation to bring more balance to our lives, seek strength from the goddess, and make ourselves worthy of her blessings.
Traditions and Celebrations
The celebration of the festival includes public congregations where devotees perform non-stop puja for the goddess and seek her blessings. Maha Ashtami begins with an adoration of the Sun – “Ganesh Pujan” – which is believed to bring prosperity and good luck. Later in the day, a variety of offerings (such as fruits, flowers, and grains) are made to the deity as a sign of reverence and worship.
The most important ritual is the “Kalashsthapana” which is the ceremonial establish of a brass kalash (or pot) filled with holy water, covered with mango leaves and a coconut on top. The participants of the ritual then pray to the Goddess, seeking her grace and everlasting protection.
In an effort to revere the ‘Goddess of Food’, many devotees practice fasting on this day. Preparing and offering a special mix of food – called the “Panchagavya” – made from milk, curd, honey, and other ingredients is a customary tradition followed as part of the celebration.
Geographical Spread
Maha Ashtami is a widely celebrated festival in India, with over 850 million followers making up 80% of the country’s population. Although the origin and core tradition of the festival remains largely the same throughout the country, there are some notable regional variations.
In some parts of India such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, Maha Ashtami is celebrated with the utmost dedication and devotion. Here, the festival is accompanied with processions and music. People of all religions come together to participate in the ritualistic ceremonies, marking the occasion with traditional folk dance and singing.
In northern India, the festivities usually begin in the evening and continue till late at night. Here, temples are filled with light and devotion with devotees performing long and exhaustive religious services throughout the night.
In south India, the celebration of Maha Ashtami involves many grand and vibrant ceremonies. People dress up in colorful clothes, create altars of worship, and offer food and flowers to the deity.
Modern Day Observations
In modern times, Maha Ashtami is celebrated with the same enthusiasm, zeal, and devotion as it was in ancient times. This is a festival that changed little with time, and although some of the more traditional components may not get the attention they once did, the overall spirit and magnitude of the event remains largely intact.
Due to the era of technology, the information about this festival has reached many parts of the world which makes it easier to observe and appreciate this event. Now more people are joining in, helping to make Maha Ashtami an even bigger event than before.
Interesting Facts or Trivia
Maha Ashtami is an important day for unmarried women in north India. Legally, a single girl has the right to ask for a married life form the gods on this day.
Maha Ashtami is considered an important day for the traders and businessmen too. They perform Hindu rituals and pray to Goddess Durga to get success into their business, projects, and contracts.
Unlike most other Hindu festivals, Maha Ashtami is not symbolic of victory or the birth of the gods, but rather the fusion of two divine energies – Devi Adi Shakti and Visnu.
Devotees, before performing puja on this day, also perform ‘panchamritabhishekam’ which symbolizes a ritual of washing the idol of goddess in sanctified five nectars from the sanskrit word called ‘Panchamritam’ which consists of milk, water, clarified butter, yogurt and honey.
Celebrations are held throughout the country with events such as music and dancing, often carried out in traditional and regional styles.
Holiday Wishes:
• Let the divine blessings of Goddess Durga bring joy and prosperity into your life
• May the divine strength of Devi Adi Shakti, bring good health, abundance, and joy into your life
• May this special day bring you joy and good luck
• May your life be filled with the blessings of the goddess and joy
• Wishing you a blessed Maha Ashtami
Holiday Messages:
• Maha Ashtami offers us opportunities to celebrate the divine and seek prosperity in our lives
• Rejoice in the spiritual beauty of this day
• Let us use this special day to be mindful and thankful
• May we find peace and contentment through the grace of the goddess
• May this day bring happiness and joy into your life
Holiday Quotes:
• “May all those who worship Devi Adi Shakti on Maha Ashtami be blessed with divine joy” – Anonymous
• “Rejoice in the name of the goddess on this day of Maha Ashtami” – Anonymous
• “Embrace the spirit of Maha Ashtami with an open heart and seek her divine blessings” – Anonymous
• “This Maha AshtAMI, may the goddess bring love and laughter into your life” -Anonymous
• “Let us celebrate this day with joy, in the name of the goddess” -Anonymous
Other Popular Holiday Info:
The festival of Maha Ashtami is celebrated with much enthusiasm and vigor throughout India and is a unique and beautiful display of devotion to the goddess. During this time of the year, people express their love and reverence for the goddess as a symbol of protection from evil and obstacles.
This beautiful celebration is also an opportunity to show gratitude for all the blessings of the goddess. During Maha Ashtami, people take a break from their daily routines and come together to observe and reconnect with the divine. This festival is a reminder that when we stand together as a collective, no force can overtake our unity and power.
As Maha Ashtami approaches, people take a break from their lives, slow down, and relax. They take this opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, to reflect and meditate, to celebrate and rejoice, and to give thanks for all the blessings and protection they have received. This festival is the perfect time for us to get closer to nature and to be grateful for all that we have. Let us this Maha Ashtami enjoy the beauty of nature and be blessed with joy and peace.
Maha Ashtami in India Also Called
Maha Ashtami is commonly known as Durga Puja, where Hindus worship the goddess Durga to celebrate her victory over the demon king Mahishasura. It is typically held in autumn during the Hindu month of Ashvin (September–October).
FUN FACT:
In year 1885, Maha Ashtami in India is celebrated on October 11 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
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