Durga Ashtami 2020: Puja vidhi, muhurat timings, mantra, and samagri

Navratri is a nine-day long Hindu festival during which devotees worship the different avatars of Goddess Durga. It is a celebrations of good over evil, specifically when Goddess Durga defeated the demon king Mahishasura.

During the nine days, the different avatars of Goddess Durga that are worshipped are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. The eighth day, Ashtami, and the ninth day, Navami, have special significance as on these days devotees invite young girls for Devi Prasad and Kanya Pujan.

Nine young girls dressed as the nine avatars of goddess Durga are worshipped as they are believed to be the manifestation of the natural force of creation.