Tithi 8jaya
Shukla Ashtami
शुक्ल अष्टमी
Presiding deity: Durga / Shiva
Tithi Mantra
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः
Om Dum Durgayai Namah
Shukla Paksha (waxing)
Durga Ashtami in both Navratris (Chaitra + Sharad) — Maha Ashtami, peak Devi worship, kanya puja (worshipping young girls as Devi). Krishna Janmashtami falls on Bhadrapada KRISHNA Ashtami (see krishna-ashtami). Radha Ashtami = Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami (Radha's birthday).
Krishna Paksha (waning)
N/A
Best for
- + Durga puja
- + Kanya puja (worship 9 girls as Navadurga)
- + Radha worship
- + Yantra installation
- + Bhairava worship
Avoid for
- - Krishna paksha pitru work
- - Marriage on rikta-co-incident
Fasting tradition
Maha Ashtami — full Devi fast; kanya puja with halwa-puri-chana; offer red flowers + sindoor.
Major festivals on this tithi
Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami, both Navratris), Radha Ashtami, Bhishma Ashtami