12 JUL 2016 MASIK DURGASHTAMI

-:Masik Durgaashtami:-

Maa Durga is the principal form of the Goddess, also known as Devi and Shakti in Hinduism. Durga the Mahashakti, the form and formless, is the root cause of creation, preservation and annihilation. According to legend, Durga was created for the slaying of the buffalo demon Mahisasura by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the lesser gods, who were otherwise powerless to overcome him. Embodying their collective energy (shakti), she is both derivative from the male divinities and the manifested representation of their power.

Masik Durgashtami or Maas Durgashtami or Monthly Durgashtami fasting is observed every month during Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha. On this day devotees of Goddess Durga worship Her and observe day long fast.

The most significant Durgashtami, which is known as Mahashtami, falls in month of Ashwin during nine days Shardiya Navratri festivities.

The purpose of Observing fast is to propitiate durga Maa and seek her blessing. During the day of Durgashtami, Durga Puja helps you attaining wealth and prosperity. Durga puja blessed with the divine power of strength, protection and has a lot of power to destroy the evil.

Masik Durga Ashtami Vrat Vidhi:-

Masik Durgashtami Vrat is one of the most popular kinds of vrats observed in the Hindu tradition which is believed to bestow the ultimate blessings of Mother Durga.

Though the Durgashtami vrat can be observed every month, the most important ones of the year falls on the day called Mahashtami or the Ashtami day occurring in the month of Ashwin.

Those intending to observe Masik Durgashtami usually observe the month puja in a simple way while performing an elaborate puja on the Mahashtami.

On the dedicated day of Durgashtami, people worship the eight manifestations of Goddess Durga with great devotion. The dishes that are specially prepared at home and offered to Mother Durga during the puja.

In the Durgashtami puja tradition, there is a customary practice of worshipping a small girl child denoting the nine manifestations of Mother Durga. During the puja, the chosen girl is offered Halwa Puri and dakshina in a way propitiating Mother Durga.

The observer of the vrat should take flowers in both the hands and offer at the idol of Mother Durga while chanting the divine names of Mother Gowri/Gauri.

The puja includes divine bath and sixteen types of offerings to the idol. Panchamrit or a mixture made of five items including curd, milk, honey, cow's ghee and sugar is the most important component of this puja. Some of the typical offerings made include fruits, dry fruits and resins, betel leaves and nuts, cloves and cardamom. At the end of the puja, arti or waving of camphor is done seven times.

The end of the puja is marked by inviting nine small girls, washing their feet with holy water and performing puja to them with offerings. Once all this is over, the day long fast is completed invoking the blessings of Mother Durga.

Latest Updates

Masik (Monthly) Durgashtami Calendar 2016
मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी कलैन्डर: 2016

Durgaashtami is considered a very important day in Hindu religion. Masik Durgashtami Vrat is observed every month on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth day) of Shukla Paksha - the bright half of the lunar calendar. As the name suggests, it is a fast dedeicated to Goddess Durga. On this day, the devotees of Ma Durga observe fast and offer prayers to the Goddess. It is believed that who ever observes fast on this day with full devotion is bestowed with the ultimate blessings of Mother Durga. Though Durgaashtami falls every month, the most significant Durgashtami, which is known as Mahashtami, falls in month of Ashwin (september - October) during nine days Shardiya Navratri festivities. Those intending to observe Masik Durgashtami usually observe the month puja in a simple way while performing an elaborate puja on the Mahashtami.

Masik Durgaashtami Calender 2016

Date	Festival	शिवरात्रि
January 17	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
February 15	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
March 16	Masik Durgashtami	महा शिवरात्रि
April 14	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
May 14	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
June 12	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
July 12	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
August 11	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
September 09	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
October 09	Maha Durgashtami	महा दुर्गाष्टमी
November 08	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी
December 07	Masik Durgashtami	मासिक दुर्गाष्टमी