Ashwin Shukla Chaturthi Extended: Kushmanda Devi worship continues today

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Vikas Samiti has announced that, due to the extension of the Ashwin Shukla Chaturthi (fourth lunar day), devotees should continue the worship of Kushmanda Devi on Monday, following the same Durga Puja rituals as the previous day.

The Samiti’s chair, Prof. Shrikrishna Adhikari, informed that Chaturthi tithi lasted until 6:16 AM today, thus requiring the same veneration of Kushmanda Devi as per the traditional scriptures.

According to him, this adjustment follows the classical guidelines of Durga Puja.

Similarly, on Sunday, Chaturthi tithi was in effect during sunrise and lasted throughout the entire day. Despite it being the fifth day since Ghatasthapana, the tithi extension means the rituals for Chaturthi must continue today.

Skandamata Devi’s Worship to be Held on Tuesday

While today marks the fifth day of Navaratri, due to the tithi extension, devotees will perform the rites associated with Chaturthi again.

The worship of Skandamata Devi, the fifth goddess among the Navadurga, will be held on Tuesday, during the sunrise of Ashwin Shukla Panchami.

This year’s Navaratri has seen the extension of Chaturthi tithi, while the Navami tithi has been shortened.

Chair Adhikari explained that on Oct 11, after completing the Mahashtami rituals, devotees will briefly pause before proceeding with the rites of Mahanavami on the same day.

Despite the variation in tithis, the Samiti clarified that this Navaratri still constitutes the traditional nine nights, commonly referred to as Durga Paksha.

Such changes in the lunar calendar occur from time to time due to the nature of tithi variations.