Durga Puja 2023 Date: Is it October 21 or 22? Check the exact Ashtami date, rituals and practices

Durga Puja 2023: Durga Puja is a popular and ancient festival of Hindus. The last five days of the 10-day Navratri celebrations are celebrated as Durga Puja. The entire Hindu community celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura all over the world, but it is popularly celebrated in the eastern Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in certain other nations such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

In Bengali traditions, the celebration includes Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya along with Goddess Durga. All other deities are considered to be Durga’s children and it is believed that during Navratri, Maa Durga visited her native home with her beloved children.

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When is Durga Ashtami 2023?

The second day of Durga Puja is Mahashtami, sometimes called Maha Durgashtami. It is one of the most significant days of Durga Puja. On Maha Ashtami, Durga Puja begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja, which bears a striking resemblance to Maha Saptami Puja, with the exception of Prana Pratishtha, which is performed only once on Maha Saptami. This season Shardiya Navratri, Maha Ashtami falls on 22 October 2023.

Check Maha Ashtami date and muhrat below:

Shardiya Navratri 2023: Date, Puja Muhurat, Dos and Don’ts for 9-Day Festival Schedule

What are the famous rituals and practices of Durga Puja?

• Paata Puja: Preparations for Durga Puja begin with ‘Paata Puja’. Celebrated on the Rath Yatra day in July, it is marked by worshiping the wooden frame ‘Paat’ which forms the base for the idols.
• Bodhana: The ritual is usually performed on ‘Shoshti’ the sixth day of the festival. On this day, ghatasthapana and pranapratistha are done which usually signify awakening or welcoming the Goddess.
• Adhivasa: Bodhana is followed by making symbolic offerings to Goddess Durga.
• Navapatrika snan: The seventh day is marked by bathing the navapatrika with holy water.
• Sandhi puja and Ashtami pushpanjali: On the eighth day, Ashtami is observed with pushpanjali. It is observed as Sandhi puja, a ritual performed in the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami. During the 48-minute long ritual, Maa Durga is offered with 108 lotuses, 108 lamps, animal sacrifice (sacrifice) and bhoga.
• Homa and bhog: On the last day of Navratri, homa (hawan) it is performed along with the bhog offering. In some regions, people also perform kumari puja.
• Sindoor Khela, Dhunuchi Naach and Immersion: The last day of Navratri, also known as Vijaya Dashami women apply cinnabar to wish blissful married life. It is the day Durga defeated Mahishasura. Also, the day ends with dhunuchi naach and idol immersion which is symbolic of Maa Durga’s return to her matrimonial home.

Durga Puja includes colorful rituals and practices, such as unique prayers and offerings to receive blessings from Goddess Durga for strength, courage and protection. This nine-day celebration showcases the rich cultural and religious heritage of the season, which is marked by heightened spiritual fervor and civic gatherings.

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Source: newstars.edu.vn