Navratri 2020: Know when is Durga Ashtami and Maha Navmi; puja timings details inside

Navratri, a nine-day long Hindu festival is celebrated to worship the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, specifically when Goddess Durga defeated the demon king Mahishasura. During these nine days, devotees worship the different forms of Maa Durga that are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

The eight-day of the festival is celebrated as Ashtami, and the ninth day is Navami. On these two last days of Navratri, devotees organize kanya pujan at their homes. Nine young girls between 5 to 10 years are dressed as the nine young girls dressed as the nine avatars of goddess Durga.

As per Hindu’s belief, on Maha Navami day, Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura.

This year, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami will be observed on Saturday, 24, 2020.

Know the exact date and timings of Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami:

Durga Ashtami Date & Time

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020
• Ashtami Tithi Begins - 06:57 AM on Oct 23, 2020
• Ashtami Tithi Ends - 06:58 AM on Oct 24, 2020

Maha Navami Date & Time

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020
• Navami Tithi Begins - 06:58 AM on Oct 24, 2020
• Navami Tithi Ends - 07:41 AM on Oct 25, 2020

Puja Vidhi

On the final day of Navaratri, devotees wake up early in the morning and have to perform puja and also offer laal chunri, flowers, milk.

For kanya pujan, a prasad of halwa, chana, and puri is distributed among the young girls.

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