Durga Ashtami
durga ashtami maha ashtami eighth day navaratri festival celebrated hindu veneration goddess durga eastern india durga ashatmi also one auspicious day five dayslong durga puja festival traditionally festival observed day hindu household actual puja take place pandals held period day starting shashthi india fasting undertaken hindu holy occasion people also get together day perform folk dance garba wear colourful clothes day also known astra puja ritual worship weapon day weapon durga worshipped occasion also rendered vira ashtami mark usage arm martial art day eight day navaratri durga puja celebration known durgashtami durga ashtami also known mahashtami one auspicious day according hinduism fall bright lunar fortnight ashtami tithi ashvina month according hindu calendar believed region goddess chamunda appeared day forehead durga annihilated chanda munda raktabija asura demon associate mahishasura yoginis matrikas form durga worshipped durga puja ritual mahashtami significance matrikas interpreted differently different region india ashta shakti worshipped durga puja brahmani maheswari kaumari vaishnavi varahi narasinghi indrani chamunda worshipper mother durga uphold ritual every month masik durgashtami however navaratri nine form worshipped durga ashtami revered eighth day chaitra navratri subsequently shardiya navratri tradition associated durga ashtami originated north india honour kanyaka young girl ritual called kanya puja group young unmarried girl five seven invited home honour tradition based belief young girl represents shakti energy durga earth group girl welcomed washing foot common ceremony india welcome someone welcoming home ritual arati puja performed ritual girl fed sweet food honoured small gift