Sharad Navratri is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms. Among the nine days of Navratri, Ashtami and Navami hold special significance as they are dedicated to the most powerful forms of the Goddess and mark the culmination of the festival. In this article, we will explore when Ashtami and Navami fall in Sharad Navratri 2024, their auspicious muhurat (timing), and their religious significance.
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When is Ashtami and Navami in Sharad Navratri 2024?
Sharad Navratri 2024 begins on October 3rd and ends on October 12th. The dates for Ashtami and Navami are as follows:
- Ashtami Tithi (Durga Ashtami):
Ashtami will be observed on October 10, 2024 (Thursday). - Navami Tithi (Maha Navami):
Navami will be observed on October 11, 2024 (Friday).
Auspicious Muhurat for Ashtami and Navami Puja
Ashtami Puja Muhurat:
- Ashtami Tithi Begins: October 9, 2024, at 9:53 PM
- Ashtami Tithi Ends: October 10, 2024, at 7:58 PM
- The most auspicious time for Kanya Pujan and Sandhi Puja is during the day on October 10, 2024. Sandhi Puja, which marks the transition between Ashtami and Navami, is highly significant and should be performed within the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi.
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Navami Puja Muhurat:
- Navami Tithi Begins: October 10, 2024, at 7:58 PM
- Navami Tithi Ends: October 11, 2024, at 4:31 PM
- Navami Puja should be performed in the early hours of October 11, 2024, during the Brahma Muhurat or Vijaya Muhurat, which is considered the best time to seek Goddess Durga’s blessings.
Significance of Ashtami and Navami
Durga Ashtami (Mahashtami)
Ashtami, also known as Mahashtami, is one of the most significant days of Navratri. On this day, devotees worship Maha Gauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga. Maha Gauri symbolizes purity, calmness, and wisdom. It is believed that worshipping her removes all sins and grants salvation.
The day of Ashtami is especially important for Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja, where nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. The girls are fed a special meal, and offerings of gifts and new clothes are made to them. This ritual is believed to invoke the divine feminine energy in its purest form, bringing prosperity and blessings into the household.
Another significant ritual performed on Ashtami is Sandhi Puja, which takes place at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami. It is believed that during this moment, Goddess Durga assumes her most powerful form, known as Chamunda, who killed the demons Chanda and Munda.
Maha Navami
Navami, or Maha Navami, is the final day of Navratri before Vijayadashami (Dussehra). It is dedicated to the worship of Siddhidatri, the ninth form of Goddess Durga. Siddhidatri is believed to give supernatural powers and knowledge to her devotees. Devotees perform special prayers to seek her blessings for the fulfillment of desires and spiritual knowledge.
Navami is also the day when devotees offer the final Havan (holy fire ritual) to mark the end of their Navratri prayers. The Navami Havan is a purification ritual, and performing it is believed to remove all negative energies and bring peace and prosperity to the household.
In some parts of India, particularly in Bengal, Durga Visarjan (the immersion of the Durga idol) begins after the Navami Puja, symbolizing the departure of the Goddess to her heavenly abode.
Why Are Ashtami and Navami So Important?
- Spiritual Growth: Ashtami and Navami are considered highly spiritual days, providing devotees with a chance to connect deeply with the divine feminine energy.
- Powerful Rituals: Rituals like Kanya Puja, Sandhi Puja, and Havan are performed during these days, bringing immense blessings and purification.
- Victory Over Evil: Both days celebrate the victory of good over evil, with Ashtami commemorating Goddess Durga’s defeat of demons like Chanda and Munda, and Navami symbolizing the complete destruction of evil forces.
- Fulfillment of Desires: Worshipping Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri during Ashtami and Navami is believed to fulfill desires, remove obstacles, and bring success and happiness to the devotee’s life.
Sharad Navratri’s Ashtami and Navami hold immense religious, spiritual, and cultural significance. These two days are considered the peak of Navratri celebrations. Knowing the exact dates, auspicious timings, and the correct rituals to perform during these days ensures that devotees receive the divine blessings of Goddess Durga for prosperity, happiness, and spiritual growth.