Bhishma Ashtami is a Hindu observance that commemorates the death anniversary of Bhishma, a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Bhishma is regarded to have chosen to die on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, during the propitious period known as the Uttarayana. Bhishma Ashtami is observed during the month of Magha in the Hindu calendar. It corresponds to the months of January–February.[1]
Bhishma Ashtami is a minor holiday observed in Bengal and parts of southern India in remembrance of Bhishma, a warrior who is believed to have fought and died in the Kurukshetra War, featured in the Mahabharata. According to the epic, Bhishma was the son of Shantanu, who had given his son a boon in that he would be allowed to choose his own day of death (Icchāmṛtyu). Bhishma had taken an oath not to marry and that he would ever remain faithful to his father's throne.[2]
The anniversary of Bhishma's death is observed during Magha Shukla Ashtami, the eighth day of the fortnight of the month of Magha.[3] According to the legend associated with the day, Bhishma waited for 58 days before leaving his body so that he would pass on the auspicious day of Uttarayana, which marks the northward passage of the sun after completing the six-month period of Dakshinayana.[4] Hindus believe that the one who dies during Uttarayana goes to heaven.[5]
| Year | Date (IST) | Date (EDT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Saturday, 4 February | Saturday, 4 February | |
| 2018 | Thursday, 25 January | Thursday, 25 January | |
| 2019 | Wednesday, 13 February | Tuesday, 12 February | |
| 2020 | Sunday, 2 February | Saturday, 1 February | |
| 2021 | Saturday, 20 February | Friday, 19 February | |
| 2022 | Wednesday, 8 February | Tuesday, 7 February | |
| 2023 | Saturday, 28 January | Friday, 27 January | |
| 2024 | Friday, 16 February | Thursday, 15 February |