There is a tradition of observing Bhawani fast on Chaitra Shukla Paksha. In the year 2024, this fast will be from 22 March till 30 March. Goddess Bhawani appeared on this day. Pujan should be offered in a systematic manner. Fast on Durga Ashtami will be observed on 0th April. During Navratri, 9 fasts are broken after completion of 9 nights. Durga Path, Puran Path, Ramayana, Sukh Sagar, Gita, etc should be read with faith and devotion

Best Durgashtami Fast Method!

Person observing this fast should wake up early in the morning. After completing the routine work, he should clean the house and make it pure. Normally, Kheer, Churma, Dal, Halwa etc. are prepared on this day. After that, resolution of fast is taken. Picture of Goddess and family god is placed in a corner of house.

On both the sides of worshipping place, picture of Yam and Trishul is drawn using Sindoor. Just below it, a seat is arranged. Write the number 52 on one side of the picture of Yam and Trishul and, 64 on the other side. 52 stand for 52 Bhairav, and 64 stand for the 64 Jyotirlings. Also, one side Sun and on the other side Moon is drawn.

An altar is made through a clean mud utensil or ground. In this, barley and wheat are grown. As per the capability of a person, the urn should be of gold, silver, copper or mud. A coconut is placed on the urn. Before placing the coconut, leaves of mango etc. are kept.

Molly(red thread) is tied around the urn and Swastika is drawn. Puja should be performed facing east direction. Person performing the Puja should not face south direction. Lamp of ghee should be lighted. Resolution of Navratri fast is taken by having water, rice, flower and money in hand. After this, lord Ganesha is drizzled with water for 4 times. Then, Ardhya, Moli and clothes are offered to him. Tilak is applied with Roli and rice. Flowers and incense stick are used for Puja.

Rice is used for making Bhog. After that, Navedya Bhog is offered. Water is left on ground for Aachman and betel nut is offered. Cloves and cardamon are also gifted to Goddess. In this manner the worshiping is done. As per the capability of an individual, food should be given to 9, 7, 5, 3 or 1 girl. This fast is observed according to capability. Food is taken once after the noon, or at night. If a person is not able to observe the fast on 9 days, then he should observe fast of 7,5, 3 or 1 days and one at last.

During fast, a person should sleep on clean place and should keep himself clean. Person should act patiently in his married life. He should have forgiveness, compassion, generosity and courage, and should leave the feelings of greed and infatuation. A lamp should be lighted in the evening and Navratri fast story should be read.

Goddess is offered clothes, other items etc. which include bangles, jewellery, Dhoti, Kajal, Bindi etc. And, other ornaments used by married women should be offered to Goddess. Everyday, family members should participate in Aarti. Durga Saptasati Path should be organised by calling Brahmans. And on Ashtami, mata should be offered Bhog. Then, girls are made to have food and their feet are touched.