Ashtami Explained

Ashtami (अष्टमी aṣṭamī) is the eighth day (Tithi) of Hindu lunar calendar.[1]

Festivals

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami or Gokul Ashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Hindu deity Vishnu.[2]

Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the Ashtami tithi, the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhaadra in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant. Rasa lila or dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna are a special feature in regions of Mathura, and Vrindavan, Nalbari and regions following Vaishnavism in Manipur.[3]

Radhashtami

Radhashtami or Radha Jayanti is the Hindu festival celebrating the appearance day of Goddess Radha, avatar of Lakshmi. The festival is celebrated annually on the eighth day of Bhadra month of bright moon. On this day, devotees keep fast, sing glories, dance and enact the divine pastimes of Goddess Radha.[4]

Trilochan Ashtami

Trilochana Ashtami or Trilochanashtami (त्रिलोचन अष्टमी), is a Hindu auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati celebrated in Odisha and different parts of India.[5]

Tri(त्रि) means Three and lochan(लोचन) means Eye. Hence one who having three eyes is called as Trilochan (त्रिलोचन) literally means to Shiva, three-eyed, that is, indication of the present, past and future.[6]

Bhairava Ashtami

Bhairava Ashtami or Kalabhairava Ashtami commemorating the day Kal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Shiva, appeared on earth, is celebrated on Krishna paksha Ashtami of the Margashirsha month with a day special prayers and rituals.[7]

Sheetala Ashtami

Sheetala Ashtami is dedicated to the goddess Shitala or Sheetala.

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20120517182001/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-01/lucknow/31270244_1_goddess-durga-kanya-pujan-devotees-in-large-numbers Ashtami
  2. Book: Srinivasan. Hinduism For Dummies. 19 May 2012. Krishna Janmashtami. 12 July 2011. John Wiley & Sons. 978-0-470-87858-3. 241–.
  3. Book: Ernst Wilhelm. Classical Muhurta. 19 May 2012. Ashtami. Kala Occult Publishers. 978-0-9709636-2-8. 36–.
  4. Web site: LLP . Adarsh Mobile Applications . Bhadrapada Month festivals in Hindu Calendar . 2022-03-30 . Drikpanchang . en.
  5. Web site: Hindu Dharma Festivals . 2012-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120520174206/http://dharm.raftaar.in/religion/hinduism . 2012-05-20 . dead .
  6. Book: Kamal Prashad Sharma. Maṇimahesh Chambā Kailāsh. 19 May 2012. Trilochanashtami (त्रिलोचन अष्टमी). 1 August 2001. Indus Publishing. 978-81-7387-118-4. 135–.
  7. Book: Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs. Dr. Bhojraj Dwivedi. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. . 2006. 8128812394 . 172 .