As the nine-day festival of Navratri draws to a close, devotees are gearing up for Ashtami (also known as Maha Ashtami), which falls on the eighth day of Navratri. While Ashtami is celebrated all over India, special celebrations are observed in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi. On this day all the nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped. This day is also celebrated as Durga Ashtami, which is the most auspicious day of the Bengali Durga Puja festival. Sandhi Puja is also performed on Ashtami during the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi.
Ashtami 2022: Date and Time of Puja:
Durga Ashtami Monday, October 3, 2022
Ashtami Tithi Begins – 06:47 PM October 02, 2022
Ashtami date ends – 04:37 PM October 03, 2022
(source: drikpanchang.com)
Ashtami 2022: Significance and Rituals
Hindus across the country dedicate the eighth day of Navratri to the worship of the young incarnation of Goddess Durga. Kanjak (or Kanya Puja) is celebrated by inviting young girls to the house and worshiping them. Ashtami-special bhog is also offered to Kanjak, which usually consists of Poori, Chana and Halwa, Along with the bhog, fruits, dry fruits and small gifts are also given. There is a section of people who do girl worship on Navami i.e. Navami, but the bhog food remains the same. Here are the recipes of Ashtami-special bhog.
Ashtami-Special Bhog Recipe:
1. Whole:
Fried puris made of flour or maida are made for Ashtami Prasad. If you always struggle Make Perfectly Puffed Poori, Here Are Some Tips to get it right. click here for Puri Recipe,
2. Chan:
Dried black gram without onion, tomato and garlic is prepared for Ashtami Bhog. It is a simple preparation with minimal spices but tastes great when paired with poori. Here is the recipe Ashtami special black gram,
3. Pudding:
Semolina flour is used to make Ashtami Bhog pudding. Semolina is roasted in ghee and mixed with sugar syrup, sometimes milk, and dry fruits like pistachios and cashews. This is the Ashtami-special recipe semolina pudding,
Bengalis celebrate Durga Ashtami with much fanfare, including a grand food festival. Dishes like khichdi (khichdi), aloo bhaja (potato curry), Bengali chutney and rasgulla are popularly served on this day. find Here’s a Bengali-Special Recipe for Durga Ashtami,
Enjoy the fun and food-packed Ashtami 2022!