Bhishmashtami or Bhishma Astami is celebrated on Magh Shukla Ashtami, the eighth day in Shukla paksha in Magh month. Bheeshmashtami 2010 date is January 23, 2010. Bhishma is known as the legendary king of Mahabharata whom Lord Krishna praised as the Lords of the Lord. It is believed that on Bhishmashtami day, Bhishma laid himself on the bed of arrows. As no one was able to counteract Bhishma’s courageous fight, Lord Krishna was about to aim his Sudarshan Chakra on Bhishma.
Seeing Krishna lifting Sudarshan Chakra, Bhishma stopped his war from his side and laid himself on the bed of arrows, made by Arjuna. Bhishmashtami is celebrated with utmost fervor in ISKCON Temples and some other Vishnu temples. Reciting or chanting Vishnu Sahasranama stotram, Dasavatara Stotram, Vishnu Ashtakam, etc. is highly meritorious.
Ashtami or Astami is the eighth day in each fortnight of every Hindu month. This day is considered as inauspicious as per some Hindu calendars. New ventures, businesses, programs, functions or any other auspicious deeds are avoided during Ashtami days. Here is the list of Ashtami dates in 2010:
Ashtami dates in January 2010:
- January 8, 2010
- January 23, 2010 – Bhishmashtami (Shani Ashtami)
Ashtami dates in February 2010:
- February 6, 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
- February 22, 2010
Astami March 2010 dates:
- March 8, 2010 – Sheetalashtami or Sheetala Ashtami
- March 23, 2010 – Durgashtami during Chaitra Navratri or Ashokashtami in Orissa
Astami dates in April 2010:
- April 7, 2010
- April 22, 2010
Ashtami May 2010 dates:
Astami June 2010 dates:
- June 5, 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
- June 19, 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
Ashtami July 2010 dates:
- July 4, 2010
- July 19, 2010
Ashtami August 2010 dates:
- August 3, 2010
- August 17, 2010
Astami September 2010 dates:
- September 1, 2010 – Krishnashtami 2010 or Janmashtami (Krishna Janmashtami for Smarta people)
- September 2, 2010 – Gokulashtami 2010 (Janmashtami for Vaishnava sect)
- September 15, 2010
Ashtami October 2010 dates:
- October 1, 2010
- October 15, 2010 – Durgashtami 2010
- October 30, 2010 – Ahoi Ashtami 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
Ashtami November 2010 dates:
- November 14, 2010 – Gopashtami 2010
- November 29, 2010 – Kala Bhairavashtami 2010 or Mahakal Bhairav Jayanti
Astami December 2010 dates:
- December 13, 2010
- December 28, 2010
Bhishmashtami, Chaitra Durgashtami or Ashokashtami, Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami or Janmashtami, Gopashtami, Sheetalashtami, Ahoi Ashtami, Jyeshtashtami, Kalabhairavashtami or Mahakal Bhairo Astami are some festivals celebrated on Ashtami days. Ashtami which falls on Shanivar or Saturdasy is also considered auspicious.