Chaitra Navratri, a significant Hindu festival, commenced on April 9, marking the beginning of nine days of reverence and celebration. Among these nine days, Maha Ashtami holds special significance, as shared by Pandit Dayanath Mishra from Purnia.

According to Pandit Mishra, Maha Ashtami, falling on Tuesday, April 16, is a highly auspicious day for devotees. It is customary for people observing this fast to abstain from consuming water and engage in devoted worship of the Goddess Durga.

On Maha Ashtami, married women undertake a tradition called Khoichha, wherein they fill pots with various symbolic items to fulfil their wishes. It’s essential to note that the practice of Khoichha isn’t limited to before or after a wish fulfilment; it’s an ongoing ritual that fosters blessings from the Goddess.

Pandit Mishra highlights the importance of correctly filling the Khoichha, cautioning against the misconception of using only rice. He advises including a range of ingredients such as betel nuts, turmeric, sweets, durva grass, arva rice, liquids, and vermilion. These items are carefully bundled in a red cloth, symbolising purity and devotion, before being placed in the pot as an offering to the Goddess.

The auspicious time for filling the Khoichha on Maha Ashtami is specified as Dwitiya Ardha Pahar on Tuesday, allowing devotees to do so between 9:00 am and 1:30 pm. This timing is considered propitious for the fulfilment of wishes and blessings from the Goddess. The ‘mahurat’ for Sandhi Puja begins at 12:59 PM and ends at 1:47 PM.

Moreover, Pandit Mishra mentions a crucial point regarding the eligibility for performing the Khoichha ritual. He clarifies that it is inappropriate for a virgin girl to participate in this custom.

Maha Ashtami, a pivotal day during Chaitra Navratri, holds profound significance for devotees who observe fasting and perform rituals like Khoichha to seek the blessings and fulfilment of their heartfelt desires from the revered Mother Goddess.