Madhya Ashtami
Madhya Ashtami is an auspicious Hindu
observance during the Mahalayam fortnight that is also popularly referred as
‘Pitru Paksha Shradh’. In the traditional Hindu calendar it is performed on the
‘Ashtami’ (8th day) during the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the waning phase of moon) in
the month of ‘Bhadrapada’. It falls just before the Ashwin Navratri (the 9-day
festivities dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga) while in the Gregorian
calendar the date falls between the months of mid-September to mid-October.
Madhya Ashtami is an important day for Hindus who observed the Shradh rituals
at Gaya. This day is chosen by such people who do not observe the Pitru Paksha
Mahalayam rituals on all the 15 days. This form of observance of Shradh is also
known by ‘Sakrun Mahalayam’. Also when the Madhya Ashtami tithi coincides with
‘Aridra’ Nakshatra it is known as ‘Aridrashtami’.
Significance :
In Hinduism, Pitru Paksha Shradh
rituals are considered to be highly important. These rituals are performed to
grant peace to the souls of the dead ancestors or ‘pitrs’. The deceased
ancestors pleased by the puja, then bless their family members with good health,
wealth and prosperity. The ritual of Madhya Ashtami is one such observance
performed for the dead ancestors. A person observer Madhya Ashtami does not
perform the Shradh rituals on the other remaining days of the Mahalayam
fortnight or Pitru Paksha. However, performing the Amavasya Shradh ritual is
obligatory for all. The main significance of Madhya Ashtami is that a person
doing it for the dead ancestors need not worry about the vara, tithi,
Nakshatras and other such doshas. He can perform the ritual and seek the
blessings of his ancestors.
Rituals :
- On Madhya Ashtami, the rituals are same as
those performed on any other days of the Pitru Paksha period. The rituals
must be performed by the male head of the family. All the tarpan and pind
daan rituals are performed under the guidance of a knowledgeable priest.
- Madhya Ashtami rituals must be performed
with full dedication. It is believed that after performing all the rituals
religiously, the person is showered with blessings from his dead
ancestors.
- Just like Pitru Paksha Shradh, performing
Madhya Ashtami rituals in places like Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh,
Prayag Sangam and Rameshwaram is considered very fulfilling. According to
the Tamil beliefs, the most ideal place for performing Madhya Ashtami is
the ‘Noopura Ganga Theertham’, located near Madurai.
- In addition to the shradh rituals,
devotees also worship Lord Shiva on the day of Madhya Ashtami. Several
offerings are made to the lord to seek His divine blessings.
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