Vidushi Gaur

Navratri, the nine-night celebration of the Goddess, is a festival that blends devotion, culture, and community across India. Each day honours a distinct form of Goddess Durga, representing different qualities of Shakti. The eighth day of Navratri, known as Ashtami, is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth incarnation of Durga, who symbolises purity, serenity, and the victory of good over evil. In West Bengal, Ashtami coincides with one of the most significant days of Durga Puja, celebrated with elaborate rituals, cultural programs, and deep spiritual fervour.

Mythological Story of Goddess Mahagauri

According to Hindu mythology, Mahagauri is a form of Goddess Parvati, known for her extreme austerity and devotion to Lord Shiva. After intense penance, she transformed from a dark-skinned, ascetic form into Mahagauri, shining with radiant white purity. Her whiteness symbolises peace, purity, and spiritual awakening.

Mahagauri is depicted riding a bull, holding a trident, a damru (small drum), and a rosary in her four hands, while one hand is in the blessing posture. She embodies calm, compassion, and the ability to destroy sins and ignorance. Worshipping her is believed to absolve past karmas, bring inner peace, and grant success and prosperity.The eighth day, thus, celebrates not just the goddess’s power but also the triumph of purity, devotion, and righteousness over adversity and evil.

Rituals of the Eighth Navratri

In Hindu tradition, Maha Ashtami is considered one of the most auspicious days of Navratri. Devotees wake early, bathe, and perform rituals with utmost devotion. The colour of the day is white, representing Mahagauri’s purity.

Offerings typically include fruits, white flowers, milk, sweets, and traditional dishes made for fasting. Many devotees observe strict fasts, consuming only fruits, milk, or light sattvic meals. Temples and homes are adorned with lamps, flowers, and sacred kalash pots. The chanting of mantras and verses from the Durga Saptashati forms the spiritual core of the day’s worship.

West Bengal: Durga Puja and Ashtami Celebrations

In West Bengal, Navratri merges seamlessly with Durga Puja, and Ashtami is regarded as one of the pinnacle days of festivities. The day is marked by the Sandhi Puja, a ritual considered highly sacred, performed at the exact juncture when Ashtami transitions into Navami. This half-hour-long ritual symbolizes the moment Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, marking the victory of good over evil.

Sandhi Puja and Prayers

During Sandhi Puja, priests perform elaborate rituals with lamps, conch shells, bells, and 108 lotuses. Devotees offer flowers, red hibiscus, and sweets. The idol of Durga, adorned with intricate sarees and jewelry, is worshipped with intense devotion, and the air resonates with mantras and dhuns.

2. Kumari Puja

A significant tradition in Bengal on Ashtami is the Kumari Puja, where young girls, symbolising the goddess, are worshipped. Their feet are washed, they are offered food, gifts, and new clothes, reflecting reverence for feminine power. This ritual emphasises purity, strength, and the divine energy embodied in women.

Cultural Celebrations

Maha Ashtami is also a day of social and cultural vibrancy. Community pandals host folk dances, musical performances, and drama depicting episodes from the Ramayana and Devi Mahatmya. People dress in traditional attire, with women wearing red or white sarees and men in kurta-pyjamas, participating in public celebrations that reinforce social cohesion and cultural pride.

Feasting and Bhog

Ashtami bhog, the offering of food to the goddess, is an essential practice. Traditional Bengali dishes like khichuri, labra (mixed vegetable curry), sandesh, and mishtidoi are prepared and offered to the goddess before being distributed to devotees. This practice fosters a sense of sharing, community, and devotion.

The eighth day, dedicated to Mahagauri, signifies the purification of mind and soul, triumph over negativity, and the awakening of spiritual consciousness. In West Bengal, Ashtami symbolises both divine victory and the nurturing of community spirit. Through rituals, prayers, and celebrations, devotees honour the goddess’s strength, purity, and protective power.

The day also underscores the empowerment of women through Kumari Puja, celebrating the divine feminine in everyday life. The intricate idol decorations, cultural performances, and collective prayers create an environment where devotion, art, and community merge harmoniously.