Dharo Atham (Durva Ashtami) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Mothers: Mothers observe this fast for the health, long life and well-being of their children (both sons and daughters).
• Daughters-in-law and Married Women: Married women keep the vrat to pray that their family line may flourish and grow, like the Dharo grass (Vansh Vriddhi).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning: Bathe early during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hour) and take the Sankalp (solemn vow) for the vrat.
• Puja Muhurat: The Dharo (Durva grass) is worshipped around Madhyahna (midday). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Eating: Women eat only once, in the evening, with food cooked on the previous day (families differ in the details).

About the Festival

Dharo Atham, also called Durva Ashtami, is a much-loved Gujarati observance in which mothers worship the sacred Dharo (Durva) grass for the well-being of their children and the growth of the family. It takes place on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Dharo Atham)

Once upon a time, a poor family lived in a village: a mother-in-law, her daughter-in-law and the young woman's small son. They earned their living by working in the fields, and the daughter-in-law was devout and faithful in her observances.

On the day of Dharo Atham, the mother-in-law told her daughter-in-law to go to the fields and cut grass. The young woman said that this was a sacred day and that she should not do such work, but she could not refuse her elder. She went with her, taking care not to harm the sacred Dharo grass, and cut only the ordinary grass.

While they were returning home, they heard that their house was on fire. The daughter-in-law ran to the house in fear for her sleeping son. She found him safe and unharmed, with a ring of fresh green Dharo grass growing around his cradle and shielding him from the flames.

The mother-in-law understood that it was the blessing of the Dharo, and her daughter-in-law's respect for it, that had saved the child. Since that day, women have observed Dharo Atham, worshipped the Dharo and prayed for the safety and long life of their children.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the puja:

• Sacred Grass: Fresh Dharo (Durva) grass, in a bunch or a small clump
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick
• Sacred Water Container: A small vessel filled with clean water, for pouring over the grass
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Rice laddus, sprouted beans fritters, and fruits, cooked a day before
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, Kalava (sacred thread), and incense sticks

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Dharo Mata, today I observe this vrat for the health and long life of my children. May my family grow and flourish like the Dharo grass."
3. Observe the vrat throughout the day, eating light food and avoiding anything freshly cooked until the evening meal.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean a spot in your home, near the puja area.
2. Place the fresh Dharo grass on a clean cloth or small Chowki (wooden stool).
3. Keep the water vessel, Roli, Kumkum, Akshat and flowers ready beside it.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals (Madhyahna)

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya in front of the Dharo.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum and Akshat to the grass.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava (sacred thread) around the grass.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the rice laddus and other food before the Dharo.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the Dharo and recite or listen to the Dharo Atham Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, sprinkle the grains and petals near the grass.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Pour water gently over the Dharo.
3. Pray that, just as the grass spreads and flourishes, your family line may grow and prosper.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among family members and children.
3. In the evening, eat once, with the food cooked on the previous day.