Durgashtami is the eighth day of Sharadiya Navratri, in the bright half of Ashwin. In Maharashtra Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana, a pot set over sown grain with a garland added for each day. The nine days belong to the three and a half Shakti Peethas of the state: Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur, Bhavani of Tuljapur, Renuka of Mahur and Saptashrungi of Vani. On Ashtami night Chitpavan women perform Ghagar Phunkne.
The story
Bhavani of Tuljapur was the family goddess of the Bhosales; legend has her hand Shivaji his sword. In the weeks of Navratri people walk to Tuljapur from across the Deccan carrying her torch.
In the Ashtami rite a face of the goddess is modelled from rice flour that evening and worshipped; then women take up an earthen pot scented with incense and blow rhythmically into its mouth, circling, until one or other is taken by the goddess and speaks.
उदे गं अंबे उदे
Rise, O Mother Amba, rise!
The call of the Gondhal
How the nine days go
- GhatasthapanaA pot on a bed of earth sown with nine grains, and a lamp kept burning nine days.
- MalaA fresh garland is hung over the pot each day.
- BhondlaGirls circle a picture of an elephant drawn on a board, singing; the game is to guess the snack hidden in a covered dish.
- GondhalGondhalis sing the goddess's ballads through the night with the sambal drum.
- Garba and dandiyaIn Mumbai the nights belong to dance.
Why this date
Durgashtami is the Ashtami of the bright half of Ashwin, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Durga Ashtami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Thursday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Sunday | |
| 2030 | Friday | |
| 2031 | Thursday |
More Marathi festivals
8 OctoberKhande Navamiखंडेनवमी
9 OctoberDasaraदसरा
3 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiगणेश चतुर्थी
24 AugustGokulashtami and Dahi Handiगोकुळाष्टमी · दहीहंडी
17 AugustNarali Purnima and Raksha Bandhanनारळी पौर्णिमा · रक्षाबंधन
28 OctoberNarak Chaturdashiनरक चतुर्दशी
Where to see Durga Ashtami
In Maharashtra
- Mahalakshmi Temple, KolhapurMaharashtraAmbabai is dressed in a different form each day and taken out by palanquin at night.
- Tulja Bhavani, TuljapurMaharashtraThe goddess of the Marathas; lakhs arrive on foot.
- Saptashrungi, VaniMaharashtraAn eighteen-armed goddess carved in a cliff face near Nashik.
- Renuka Devi, MahurMaharashtraThe hill shrine of Parshuram's mother.
Across India
- KolkataWest BengalThe eighth day is the height of Durga Puja, with Sandhi Puja at dusk.
- AhmedabadGujaratNine nights of garba, danced in rings round a lamp.
- Vaishno DeviJammu and KashmirThe cave shrine in the Trikuta hills.