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.

2017 Date :13th September.