Maha Ashtami: The Country Celebrates Durga Ashtami, Despite of Bad Weather

Last updated on October 6th, 2022 at 12:00 pm

People celebrated Maha Ashtami 2022 with great enthusiasm across the country despite rain or bad weather. Huge crowds & queues were seen in various puja pandals.

Durga Ashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami, is enthusiastically observed throughout the country. Maa Mahagauri, one of Maa Durga’s nine avatars known as Navdurgas, is honored on this auspicious day. 

Ashtami is also referred to as Durgashtami by those who worship Durga Puja. During the prolonged festivities, it is one of the most significant days. On this day, people also practice Kanjak or Kanya/Kumari Puja.

Monday’s Durga Puja ceremonies began with Maha Ashtami, or “Pushpanjali,” as worshippers stood in line at pandals around West Bengal despite the rain.

After two years of subdued celebrations owing to the pandemic, people flocked in great numbers to dedicate flowers to the Goddess, creating long lines at collective puja pandals.

According to custom, Kumari Puja was performed in the Belur Math of the Ramakrishna Mission in Howrah.

The 66 Pally at Kalighat, the Behala Club, the Dum Dum Tarun Dal, the Ultadanga Bidhan Sangha, and the 47 Pally Jubak Brinda were among those pandals. 

The most important ceremonies are those performed on Maha Ashtami, the 2nd day of the Durga Puja festival, including Pushpanjali with Sandhi Puja.

Due to a cyclonic circulation in the northwest Bay of Bengal, the meteorological office projected heavy rain in the coastal districts of South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore until Tuesday morning.

There are various locations in Kolkata and the surrounding areas where thunderstorms and lightning are likely. 

Up till Wednesday morning, the weather office has also predicted that all of the north Bengal districts, including Kalimpong and Darjeeling, will see severe rain.

On this day, it is said that Goddess Shakti conquered the buffalo demon Mahishasura. On this day, people commemorate the defeat of Mahishasura by the goddess Shakti. 

On this day, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth avatar of Maa Durga.

The Mahagauri Goddess is renowned for giving her devotees wealth and success. Additionally, it is said that worshiping Mahagauri on this day can aid believers in overcoming challenges and atoning for sins. On this day, people also practice fasts in order to receive blessings for wealth and luck.