Durgashtami, also known as Durga Ashtami, is the eighth day of Navratri or Durga Puja celebrations. According to Hinduism, it is one of the most fortunate days and is also known as Mahashtami. It occurs on the bright lunar fortnight of Ashwin month, according to the Hindu calendar.
Some places hold the belief that on this day, the goddess Chamunda manifested from Mother Durga’s forehead and destroyed Chanda, Munda, and Rakthabija. On Mahashtami, the Durga Puja rites include worshipping the 64 Yoginis and Ashta Shakti, also known as the matrices. In various parts of India, the Ashta Shakti, also known as the Eight Shaktis, is interpreted in various ways. But finally, Shakti manifests as each of the eight goddesses. They are distinct facets of the same strong Divine Feminine. Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani, and Chamunda are the Ashta Shaktis worshipped during Durga Puja.
