Holiday on October 23, 2020 for Maha Saptami

Maha Ashtami is an optional holiday falls on Friday, October 23rd as per Govt. Dopt 2020 holiday list. However, most offices and businesses remain open. According to the Hindu mythologies, on the seventh day (Maha Saptami) of Navratri, the Goddess commenced war against the buffalo demon Mahisasura which ended with his death on the 10th day (Vijaya Dashami). In Maha Saptami (seventh day of 10-day festival) the Goddess represents as Devi Kalaratri amongst Navdurga.

Maha Snan, Prana Pratishtha, Worship of Goddess Saraswati, Bathing Navapatrika, Nine Plants are the important rituals are being performed in Maha Saptami. The Navadurga means 9 forms of Goddess Durga (Gauri) or (Parvati). They are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri.

Maha Saptami Meaning

Maha Saptami is the 7th day of the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) in Aswhina month during Durga Puja. Maha’ means `Great’ and (Saptami’ means the ‘Seventh Day’, thus the name Maha Saptami. History: The seventh day has a legend behind it.

Maha Ashtami Importance

For Durga Puja celebrations, huge pandals with idols of Goddess Durga are set-up and devotees come in large numbers to offer prayers to the goddess. The eight day of Navratri is called Ashtami, and this year Ashtami or Durga Ashtami falls on October 6. Maha Ashtami is the most important day of Durga Puja festival.

Traditions of Maha Saptami

Maha Saptami is also known as Saptami of Durgapuja and is one of the important days of Durga Puja. The Maha Puja (Great Ceremony) starts on Maha Saptami. Durga Puja is a Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates the worship of the goddess Durga. Durga Puja celebrates the ten-armed mother goddess and her victory over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura.

The world was under threat from the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura, that no man or god could defeat. To vanquish the demon, Durga emerged from the collective energies of all the gods. Each of her ten arms brandished the deadliest weapon of each god. On the seventh day (saptami) of Durga Puja, the goddess started her epic battle against Mahishasura which ended with his death on Vijaya Dashami (the 10th day).

What happens on ashtami?

Ashtami marks the eighth day of the festival and on this auspicious day, devotees tend to observe rigorous fast, feast and worship for Goddess Durga who symbolizes strength.

What should we do on Durga ashtami?

In India fasting is undertaken by many people on this holy occasion. People also get together on this day to dance ‘garba’ and wear colourful clothes. This day is also known for ‘Astra Puja'(Worshiping Weapons) as on this day the weapons of goddess Durga are worshiped.

Is ashtami an auspicious day?

The puja done on the eighth day of Chaitra Navratri 2020 is highly significant, as it is believed that during this time, spiritual fervour reaches its highest peak. Kanya Pujan is observed on this day. Ashtami is an auspicious day to celebrate the essence of womanhood and is a way to pay gratitude to the Goddess.

Is ashtami good or bad?

Ashtami and Navami are not bad days. During the days when there was no clock and calendar, the schools (gurukul) had a way to count the days for conducting classes and have weekends too, in between. Their logic of calendar is to count the days starting from either full moon day or new moon day.