Eighth Day of Dashain festival :- Dashain is one of the many festivals that is celebrated by Hindus all around the world. This is a 15-day long festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. Hindus celebrate Maha Asthami on the eighth day of Dashain festival. On this day, special puja or prayers are held at the Pooja room or Dashain Ghars. Similarly, vehicles, machines, and weapons are also worshipped on the Maha Ashtami.
The eighth day of Dashain is completely dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kala, who is known as the fiercest manifestation of Goddess Durga.
History of Goddess Kali.
As per Hindu Mythology, as soon as Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura, two other demons attacked Goddess Durga, who got engaged, and her face turned into black. Goddess Kali emerged from her third eye. Kali killed the two monsters immediately. Hence, this day, the 8th day of Dashain, celebrates the victory of Goddess Kali over the demons.
Animal Sacrifice
Animal sacrifice has been part of the Dashain festival since the infinite past. During the 15 days long festival, thousands of animals are sacrificed, hoping that sacrificing animals will liberate mankind from their sins. In Nepal, animals are sacrificed mostly on the Maha Navami.
The sacrifice ceremonies are done to commemorate the traditions and beliefs of battles between the Goddess and the demon. People believe that sacrificing animals like goats, buffalo, pigeons, ducks, and devotees will be granted blessings.
In Kathmandu’s Hanuman Dhoka, it is common to see buffaloes getting sacrificed on this day. The buffaloes are offered under the gun salute order from the military officers in the Hanumandhoka palace. Once the buffalo is sacrificed, rituals are held at the Taleju temple. Taleju temple is the temple that is open to the public only on the Dashain’s 9th day.
Devotees visit various temples of Goddess in the Kathmandu valley and worldwide from very early morning on this day to offer the prayers and sacrifice the animals on this day.
Once the blood of the sacrificed animal is offered to the gods, the meat is cooked at home for the feast. This meat is considered to be blessed by Goddess Kali.
Many animal recovery organizations are taking efforts these days to educate people on animal protection laws. People are being educated to take a different approach to offer prayers to the Goddess rather than by sacrificing animals.
Know More About Nepal
Nepal is a very beautiful country with mesmerizing sights, captivating mountains, and beautiful lakes. However, how many of us know these fascinating facts about our neighbors? Nepal has been under no foreign invasion for over 5000 years. Nepal has never been colonized, so therefore Nepal does not have an Independence Day.
Nepal is full of mystery and awe. The sheer beauty and magnificence of the place are enough to take your breath away. While traveling through Nepal, you will find many amazing sights and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. One of the most popular places to visit in Nepal in the Himalayas, and if you have never been, you must try one of the many treks throughout the country.
It is also important to note that Nepal is the smallest country in South Asia. It is bordered on three sides by India and on the other side by China. Therefore, it does not feel like you are going somewhere. You will be able to see various landscapes and mountains and feel the presence of nature everywhere you go. It is a place where you can experience a blend of old world charm and modernity. This is why you should never underestimate this country.
When you arrive at the Kathmandu Airport, you will be welcomed by a beautiful welcome ceremony. Here you will meet the head of government and the prime minister. You will also be shown around in the main city, Kathmandu. During your stay, you will be able to get a true taste of how things are done in the capital and some of the country’s more remote areas.
The people of Nepal are very friendly. Many tours offer tours to some of the villages and townships where the local people and the guides will teach you some of the local customs. You will be able to enjoy the locals’ culture, food, and history. It will give you a better understanding of the country as a whole and help get to know the people better.
If you are interested in doing a tour all year round, you may want to consider getting involved in a guided tour. A guided tour will allow you to explore the country and go to all areas and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the land without having to worry about leaving the tour guide behind. This is especially great if you want to go to a specific region throughout the year.
Goddess Durga
Goddess Durga is the goddess of power and strenth that has been worshiped for centuries. Goddess Durga was born in the heavens to fight the demon king Mahishasura. After the battle, Goddess Durga was transformed into a human being, full of spiritual energy.
There are many deities associated with Goddess Durga that have different characteristics. The first God of the Indian pantheon to worship Durga is Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. She is the goddess of creation, mother of God, and Goddess of all beings. According to the stories, she transforms herself into a cow to escape her brother’s clutches. The goddesses can be depicted as female beings with different forms depending on the religion.
These are some of the prominent manifestations of Goddess Durga associated with India’s different parts, and worship is done on each one according to its significance. People also worship other divine deities that come from different parts of the globe. Goddess Durga can be worshiped individually or in her form as Kalki or Parvati.
The Hindu goddess Durga is the most famous of all the Hindu goddesses. This is due to her beautiful powers, strength, and compassion for humankind. She is a representative of eternal power and all that are goodness in nature. Durga symbolizes perfection in every way. She is known to bring abundance in all aspects of life.
According to the Hindu religious tradition, Durga has initially been a Goddess like creature called Parvati. Durga, the goddess of power, was then created. She is Goddess of destroyer, and he could create life. From that point on, Durga became the goddess of all that is goodness over evil in the world.
To become the right kind of almighty Gods, a person must have a pure heart. This pure heart will enable the individual to understand that he is not perfect and that it is impossible to achieve complete perfection without any help.
Hindu gods also offer guidance and support to their followers as they strive to live a life of perfection. Hindus also pray to their deities to protect them from all evil forces. Many deities are associated with Durga, such as Lord Ganesha, Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Indra. Each of these gods has different roles and responsibilities for a person to become an ally to Shiva.
If you are looking for a spiritual guide, look no further than Hinduism. There are many books available that provide detailed information on this subject that will make an excellent gift for your friend or family member.
You may wish to learn more about other religions’ beliefs and practices so that you will be able to determine if your belief system is the correct one. Some books will teach you how to practice yoga and meditation to become a fully-trained priest of a local temple and guide souls to their eternal rest.
It will take a dedicated person who can follow the teachings of Hindu Gods and Goddess and his followers to live a life full of joy and happiness and bliss in the world created by Goddess Durga. This individual will then have an experience that is free from all earthly cares and worries.
Dashain Festival of Nepal
Being home to over 125 diverse ethnic groups, ethnic communities, and several religions, Nepal is called a religiously neutral country. Dashain is the largest and most awaited Hindu festival in Nepal, celebrated in September in Nepal’s Himalayan foothills.
The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga Mata. It is the biggest festival in Nepal and draws thousands of visitors from worldwide to witness the festival in its full splendor. Although the festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm, there are certain things that people should know before they arrive at Dashain.
Dashain should be noted that the festival begins in October and goes through to the last week of October. It is one of the most awaited festivals in Nepal, and thus it attracts visitors from all over the world. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga has saved the earth from all the troubles and evils and has then bestowed the earth with the rains’ blessings.
Lord Siva is revered as the “Goddess of power” by Hindus and is therefore referred to as “Bada Dashain or Vijayadashami.” This is not to say that in Nepal, Hindus traditionally celebrate the festival. In fact, in the recent past, the festival has been converted into a significant cultural event by Nepal’s elite who try to bring back the original meaning of the festival.
This festival has been observed in Nepal for many thousands of years. However, as per Hindu rituals and traditions, Goddess Durga is allowed to kill the demon Mahishasur. According to Hindu tradition, only his incarnations, such as Parvati and Lakshmi, can be seen worldwide. Goddess Durga is also believed to have taken a human form, which is represented by Goddess Parvati, Laxmi and Saraswati.
Dashain, the festival is celebrated on the 10th day is called Vijayadashami and is marked by a greatest blessings of mother Goddess Durga. The festivities start with the procession of Goddess Durga, followed by a gathering of deities.
What’s not to love about the festival? The festival is undoubtedly a grand celebration, but you’ll find something to love about it if you visit Nepal sometime this year.
Dashain is the best time for family get together
Dashain festival is one of the best time for family members from all over the world to celebrate the rich culture, tradition, festivals, and ceremonies of this land. The annual celebration dates back to 2022 AD and is celebrated by the tribes and nomadic people of the region with great joy and happiness.
Nepal being the capital of 125 ethnic groups, religious sects, and several sects; Nepal is known as an atheistic country till today. Dashain is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals in Nepal. It is also one of the largest religious festivals and attracts huge crowds to celebrate.
Dashain festival takes place around October and the main days of celebration are when the sun sets, and the moon rises. Since it is an important festival, there are many festivities, and fairs and these attract many people from different corners of the world.
There are also fairs and celebrations in places like Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu and again at the Himalayas’ foothills.
The Dashain festival of Nepal is celebrated in many other parts of the world, but its most famous and prominent place in Nepal. As a result of this renowned festival’s popularity, tourists from different parts of the world travel to Nepal to enjoy the festivity and festivities. Although many countries have celebrated the festival, Nepal is one of the few that has always remained true to their cultural values and traditions and keep the celebrations very much alive.
The Dashain Festival is highly regarded among Hindus and Buddhists because it is seen as an essential part of the deities’ ceremonies. The festival is also considered a time to pay homage to the gods and goddesses of Nepal. The festival is also an excellent opportunity for the people to exchange gifts and make offerings to the deities. The people of Nepal also respect the Gods, and their prayers are offered to them.
The tradition of offering a special dish to the deities is very much alive in Nepal.
The festival of “Dashain” is the largest in Nepal, and it is celebrated with great joy by the people. The celebrations include Jamara and Rato Tika and feasts and many other festivities. This celebration is a reflection of the happiness of life.
Maha Astami Is The 8th Eighth Day of Dashain Festival of Nepal
Goddess Mahagauri Puja
The eighth day of Navratri, which falls in the Maha Ashtami Tithi, is committed to the love of Goddess Mahagauri and Kanya puja. She is known as the eighth and most beautiful type of NavDurga. Sandhi Puja is additionally seen in numerous areas of India. It is accepted that she is the most wonderful and gleams brilliantly.
That is the explanation her name is Gauri. She is the Goddess who indicates harmony and perseverance. It is said that loving her will clean the enthusiast’s heart and make him devout. This puja is performed during Ashwin Shukla Ashtami.
Maha Ashtami is a day that is likewise viewed as one of the significant ceremonies day in numerous pieces of the nation. Certain ceremonies on this specific day are supposed to be ground-breaking. The celebration starts with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja, which is very like Maha Saptami Puja.
On this day, Sandhi Puja starts when Ashtami Tithi finishes, and Navami Tithi begins. In certain districts, individuals consider that offering blood to the Goddess would comfort her and make her cool and calm. Along these lines, individuals play out a custom known as Bali. Typically, goats are taken before the Goddess and guillotined. The blood is then given as a contribution. Around the same time, the light 108 earthen lights during Sandhi Kaal. It is said that Goddess Kali showed up from the brow of Maa Durga on this propitious day. Sanctuaries direct uncommon puja’s on those days.
This symbol is named Gauri due to its composition. She has an entrancing and hypnotized whitish skin tone. She wears white garments and subsequently is otherwise called Shwetambardhara. Her god is spoken to with four arms. She conveys Trishul in one right hand, and the subsequent right hand is in Abhaya Mudra. She holds a Damaru in one remaining hand, and the other left hand is in Varada Mudra. She rides a bull and henceforth is otherwise called Vrisharudha.
Aarti:
जय महागौरी जगत की माया।
जय उमा भवानी जय महामाया॥
हरिद्वार कनखल के पासा।
महागौरी तेरा वहा निवास॥
चन्द्रकली और ममता अम्बे।
जय शक्ति जय जय माँ जगदम्बे॥
भीमा देवी विमला माता।
कौशिक देवी जग विख्यता॥
हिमाचल के घर गौरी रूप तेरा।
महाकाली दुर्गा है स्वरूप तेरा॥
सती (सत) हवन कुंड में था जलाया।
उसी धुएं ने रूप काली बनाया॥
बना धर्म सिंह जो सवारी में आया।
तो शंकर ने त्रिशूल अपना दिखाया॥
तभी माँ ने महागौरी नाम पाया।
शरण आनेवाले का संकट मिटाया॥
शनिवार को तेरी पूजा जो करता।
माँ बिगड़ा हुआ काम उसका सुधरता॥
भक्त बोलो तो सोच तुम क्या रहे हो।
महागौरी माँ तेरी हरदम ही जय हो॥
In various pieces of India, family units sort out Kanya Puja or Kanjak. In this festival, 9 young ladies are invited in the home by washing their feet and tying red string around their wrist. These 9 young ladies are served flavorful blowout including halwa, chole and poori and talented fasteners, pencils, and a lot more things. Young ladies are revered as they are viewed as embodiment of Goddess Durga herself.Nine girts represent below nine goddesses.
- Kumarika
- Trimurti
- Kalyani
- Rohini
- Kali
- Chandika
- Shanbhavi
- Durga
- Subhadra
Worshipping vehicles, machinery, and tools
On this day, people worship vehicles, weapons, and other machinery parts in devotion to traditional rites pass on from the Vedic period.
Hence, Dashain’s eighth day is one of the most important days when different rituals are performed. Animal sacrificing, worshipping Goddess Kali, and conducting Mahagauri puja are few of the ways completed.