Maha Asthami, the eighth day of the biggest festival in Nepal. Two different incarnations of Durga bhawani and Goddess Kali are worshipped with a lot of dedication and it is the continuation of the same ritual started from Ghatsthapna. On this day, worshippers perform sacrifice of animals and birds and the blood is presented to the goddess. The sacrifice continues from dawn to dusk. This day is also called “Kal Ratri”, the dark knight.
Although, now a days many believe that animal and bird sacrifices is animal cruelty. Therefore, instead of the sacrifice, the worshippers use fruits as a representation of the animals. Many devotees fast on Asthami as well. Whereas some families prepare feast.
When is Maha Asthami celebrated?
Samya baji is Maha Asthami and is celebrated on Ashwin Sukla Pakshya. according to the Gregorian calendar or Hindu Lunar Calendar, or the eight day of the VijayaDashami. This usually falls in September or October month.
Why is Maha Asthami celebrated?
Maha Asthami or Durgaasthami is celebrated on the Ashwin Sukla Pakshya. In the Hindu Mythlogy, one of the Pandav brother, Arjun, took his weapons from Shami tree after the 14 years of exile from his country and performed this ritual on this day. The main ritual on this day is to worship the weapons in the house. On Maha Asthami, the goddess Durga was incarnated as Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife and defeated and killed the devil named Mahishasur. It is also believed that Goddess Parvati appeared with 64 other yoginis and saptamatrikas and asthamatrika, therefore, the worshipers also perform the rituals including the yogninis and matrikas. Maha Gauri Puja is also one of the main worship rituals of this day.
Although, killing and sacrificing animals has been forbidden in the Hindu culture and scriptures on this day, the traditional practice is sacrificing animals to Goddess Kali during VijayaDashmi festival.
How is Maha Asthami celebrated?
Maha Asthami, the eighth day of the Vijaya Dashami. Two different incarnations of Durga bhawani and Goddess Kali are worshipped with a lot of dedication and it is the continuation of the same ritual started from Ghatsthapna. On this day, worshippers perform sacrifice of animals and birds and the blood is presented to the goddess. The sacrifice continues from dawn to dusk. This day is also called “Kal Ratri”, the dark knight.
Although, now a days many believe that animal and bird sacrifices is animal cruelty. Therefore, instead of the sacrifice, the worshippers use fruits as a representation of the animals. Many devotees fast on Asthami as well. Whereas some families prepare feast.
In Newar community, generally samyabaji is prepared on this day. Samyabaji consists of more than 10 food items and is one of the traditional Nepali foods. Samya baji is a mix of the food items like beaten rice, bara (black lentil paste), eggs, ginger, black soya bean, fried fish and white asparagus beans, spiced grilled buffalo meat. However, the feast in this community has even more food items.
Furthermore, samya baji may also have boiled potatoes, fried garlic and other ingredients in different cities.
Although, in different communities, VijayaDashami is celebrated in a different ways, and worshipping rituals are different. However, the importance of each of the 10 days are the same.
If you want to learn more about other festivities here are some popular ones:
- Ghatsthapna: Day 1 of Vijaya Dashami
- Phulpathi, 7th day of Vijaya Dashami
- Maha Asthami, 8th Day of Vijaya Dashami
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