On Chaitra Ashtami, devotees should wear red clothes.
As per Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal, Ashtami Tithi will start from 11:12 pm on April 15, and will continue till 1:46 pm on April 16.
Chaitra Navratri celebrations in India began on April 9. April 16, Day 8, marks one of the most auspicious days- Chaitra Durga Ashtami. This day is of utmost importance for devotees. On this auspicious occasion, the Maha Gauri avatar, the 8th manifestation of Goddess Durga is worshipped. It is believed that one can get great results by worshipping the Goddess at an auspicious time on the day of Maha Ashtami.
In an interview with Local18, Deoghar’s famous astrologer, Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal shared that the Maha Ashtami fast will be observed on April 16 by devotees. As per him, on this day, Goddess Durga killed the demons Chand and Mund, signifying the victory of good over evil. It is believed that if Goddess Durga is worshipped by following the proper rituals, then all the enemies will be destroyed.
As per Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal, Ashtami Tithi will start from 11:12 pm on April 15, and will continue till 1:46 pm on April 16. However, according to Udaya Tithi, the fast on Ashtami Tithi will be observed on April 16 only. He urged the devotees to perform the Ashtami puja before noon.
On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Durga Ashtami, two auspicious yogas have formed. One is Dhriti yog and the other is Shool yog. Worshipping the Goddess in these two yogas is favourable for the devotees. Kanya Puja is also one of the most important rituals on the day of Durga Ashtami. Generally, on this day, nine girls aged between three to eight are worshipped. Doing this will please the Goddess and she will bless the devotees throughout the year. The auspicious time to worship Kanya on Ashtami tithi is from 07:21 am to 11:05 am. The ritual also consists of providing food to these little girls.
As per the astrologer, while worshipping Maha Gauri on Chaitra Durga Ashtami, devotees should wear red clothes and light a ghee lamp. Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal asked devotees to offer coconut or sweets made of coconut. On this day, make sure to offer hibiscus flowers to Goddess Gauri. The Goddess is offered a red Chunari, and sixteen adornments on this day. You can further please the Goddess by offering sandalwood, akshat, Re 1 coin, cloves and camphor wrapped in a red cloth.