Ashokashtami is one of the major festivals celebrated in Orissa during Chaitra month. Ashok ashtami is observed on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, the eighth day in shukla paksha of Chaitra month. In 2010, Ashokashtami date is March 23, 2010. This festival is celebrated with utmost gaiety in Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple. On this day, Rathotsavam (procession on chariot) or car festival of Lord Shiva is celebrated which attracts tens of thousands of devotees across the state and from Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh as well.
The legend or the origin of the festival Ashokashtami is associated with Ramayana. When the Ramayana war between Ravana and Ram was going on in a great manner, Lord Ram came to know that Goddess Kali was at Ravana’s side and acting like a protective armor to Ravana. Lord Ram prayed to Goddess Kali and demolished Ravana and captured Lanka and brought his spouse Sita back. As part of celebrations, he has taken out Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali to a procession.
Ashokashtami is also known as Chaitra Durgashtami as it falls during Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri.
Navratri is nine-festive days dedicated to Goddess Durga. Navratri is observed for four times in a year. Magh Navratri and Ashad Navratri are called as Gupt Navratri. Ashad Navratri is also known as Guhya Navratri during which Goddess Varahi (Ashtamatrika devata) is worshipped in Himachal Pradesh. Magh Navaratri 2010 dates are Janaury 16 to January 24. Chaitra Navaratri or Vasant Navratri 2010 dates – Navaratri starts on March 16 and ends on March 24.
Ashad Navratri 2010 starts on July 12 and ends on July 19. Sharad Navratri or Durga Navratri, also known as Ashwin Navratri, in 2010 starts on October 8 and ends on 17 October.
Magh Navratri – January 16, 2010 to 24 January, 2010
Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri – March 16, 2010 to March 24, 2010
Ashad Navratri – 12 July, 2010 to 19 July, 2010
Sharad Navratri – 8 October 2010 to 17 October 2010
Paush Navratri, also spelt as Poush Navratras, is a nine-day festival celebrated from first day to ninth day during Paush month or Pushya masam. In 2009, Paush Navratri starts on December 25 and ends on December 31. This year, during Paush Navratri, Sindhu Pushkar are commenced. Pushya masa Navratras are also called as Shakambari Navratri in some areas. In Shakambari mata temples, Navratri utsav is celebrated with lot of gusto during Poush month.
Shakambari Navratri in major temples of Goddess Shakambari:
Paush Navratri is celebrated in Shakambari temples located in Badami, Bangalore in Karnataka, in Nagewadi, Maharashtra, Kumbhoj near Satara, Sharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Sambhar in Rajasthan.
In Badami Banashankari devi temple in Karnataka, Banashankari Jatra is celebrated during Shakambari Navaratri. Banadashtami or Banada Astami festival is also celebrated during Shakambari Navaratri in Badami region.
Paush Navratri is not much popular festive season dedicated to Goddess Durga. The famous Navratri are – Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. Gupt Navratri are Magh Navratras and Ashada Navaratras.
Chaitra Navratri, also popular as Chait Navratras, is the nine-day festival observed in Chaitra month. Navratri 2010 dates during Chaitra month are – from March 16 to March 24. Chaitra Navratras starts on the first day in Chaitra month and ends on Sri Rama Navami, the ninth day of the month. The first of Chaitra month is celebrated as Ugadi or Yugadi. This is the Hindu New Year day as per the calendars of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Chaitra Navratri is very popular festive season in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, etc.
As per the legends mentioned in the Puranas and other Hindu scriptures, Chaitra Navratri is the actual Navratri during which Goddess Durga was worshipped. But during the time of Ramayan war, Lord Sri Ram worshipped Durga at the time of Ashwin month. Since then, Ashwin Navratri has become the main festive season to worship the Goddess.
Chaitra Navratri is also called as Vasant Navratri or Basant Navratri. This festival marks the beginning of Vasant ruthu (spring season). It is also called as Sri Rama Navratras. Sri Ram Navratri ends on Ram Navami festival.
Magh Navratri or Magha Navaratri is observed in the Shukla Paksha during Magha maas or Magh month. Magh Navratri 2010 starts on January 16 and ends on January 24. Magh Navratri is called as Gupt Navratri. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Shakti and each form of the Goddess is worshipped on each day. In some places Navadurga forms and in some other places Nava Devi forms are worshipped.
Magh Navratri is mainly observed in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Another Gupt Navratri celebrated to worship nine forms of Durga is Ashad Navratri. Another least known Navratri festival is Paushya Navratri observed in Paush month. The famous and most celebrated Navratri festivals are observed during Chaitra month (Vasant Navratri) and Ashwin month (Sharad Durga Navaratri).
