Bhisma Ashtami

According to Hindu mythology, Bhisma Ashtami is celebrating as the devotion to Ganga Putra or Bhisma. Bhisma Ashtami is held on the month of Magha. There is a story behind the birth and death of Bhisma. One day King Shantan was impressed to beautiful women and wished to marry her. He proposed her and she accepted with a condition that Shantanu would not ask any questions in her deeds. King Shantanu accepted her condition and after marriage, she gave birth to a son. But she drowned the child in the river. Shantanu didn't ask anything to her about her deeds. After all, Seven sons were born and she killed them. When she gives birth to the eighth son and she decided to drown that son too. But Shantanu didn't tolerate that and questioned her. Then she explained to him about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her. After that, she left king Shantanu due to asking questions to her. Before she went with son Bhisma by saying to king Shantanu that she will return their son to him when he became younger. Bhisma was only living for his father. One day his father blessed him that he can decide the day of his death. During the Kurukshetra war, Bhisma was wounded. But he didn't leave his body and waited for the day of Magha Shukla Paksha. Because this day is unfavourable that Lord Surya travels in the southern direction and the sun moves back to the northern direction is considered as an auspicious day for all Bhishma On that day is considered as Bhisma Ashtami. Bhisma Ashtami rituals are starting from early morning. Some of the temples such as ISKCON temples and Lord Vishnu temples are conducting special pujas. Devotees are taking bath on early morning and they contribute boiled rice and sesame seeds to the river. Hindu belief behind this ritual is that it can wash out the sins in the past or present and also get rid of the cycle of rebirth. After that, devotees are conducting Ekodishta Shradh and Tarpanon the river banks. At the evening, devotees observe in Arghyam and at that time devotees are chanting Bhishma Ashtami Mantra. During the day of Bhisma Ashtami, people who are suffering from Putra dosha can pray to Bhisma. On that day, childless couples take fast to have a child.