Day 8: Ashtami - Peacock Green
Ashtami, the eighth day of Navratri, is a significant day dedicated to the Goddess Mahagauri. This day is associated with the color Peacock Green, symbolizing growth, harmony, and renewal. Let's delve into the significance of Ashtami and the color Peacock Green in the Navratri celebrations.
What is the significance of Ashtami in Navratri?
Ashtami is a day to honor Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga. She is believed to bestow her devotees with peace, prosperity, and grace. Devotees observe fasts, perform rituals, and offer prayers to seek her blessings on this auspicious day.
Why is Peacock Green associated with Ashtami?
Peacock Green, the color of Ashtami, represents nature, growth, and fertility. It symbolizes balance, harmony, and new beginnings. Wearing or surrounding oneself with Peacock Green during Navratri is believed to attract positive energy and promote spiritual growth.
How can you incorporate Peacock Green into your celebrations?
During Ashtami, adorn yourself in Peacock Green attire or accessories to align with the energy of the day. Decorate your home with Peacock Green elements such as flowers, candles, or rangoli designs. Embracing this vibrant color can enhance the festive spirit and create a harmonious atmosphere.
What rituals are performed on Ashtami?
Devotees wake up early, take a ritual bath, and offer prayers to Goddess Mahagauri. Special offerings like coconut, jaggery, and kumkum are made to seek her blessings. Fasting is observed throughout the day, breaking it only after performing the evening prayers and rituals.
Which Ashtami is auspicious?
The Ashtami tithi (eighth day) that is considered highly auspicious is Durga Ashtami during the festival of Navratri. This day holds immense spiritual significance as it is dedicated to worshiping Goddess Mahagauri, one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Durga Ashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami, typically falls on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Ashwin (September–October) according to the Hindu calendar.
Significance of Durga Ashtami:
- Victory of Good over Evil: On this day, Goddess Durga is believed to have killed the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
- Kanya Puja: Many devotees perform Kanya Puja (worship of young girls) on this day, representing the nine forms of the Goddess. It is believed that honoring young girls on Durga Ashtami invites the blessings of the Divine Feminine.
- Maha Gauri Puja: Ashtami is dedicated to Mahagauri, the form of Durga who symbolizes purity, peace, and compassion. Worshiping her is believed to remove sins and grant success and prosperity.
In addition to Durga Ashtami, another important Ashtami tithi is Krishna Janmashtami, the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), which marks the birth of Lord Krishna. While both Ashtamis are significant, Durga Ashtami during Navratri is considered especially powerful for spiritual growth, protection, and divine blessings.
Ashtami is a day filled with devotion, spirituality, and reverence towards the divine feminine energy. By understanding the significance of Ashtami and embracing the color Peacock Green, one can deepen their connection to the divine and experience the essence of Navratri in its entirety.