Bhishma Ashtami (original) (raw)

Bhishma Ashtami (Bhishmashtami) is a Hindu festival dedicated to Bhishma of the great Indian epic Mahabharata. It is believed that Bhishma, also known as 'Ganga Putra Bhishma' (Bhishma son of Ganga devi) or 'Bhishma Pitamaha' (Bhishma the grandfather), departed from his body on this chosen day. This occurred during the propitious 'Uttarayan period'; that is, the daytime of devas. Bhishma Ashtami is observed during the month of Magha in the Hindu calendar. It corresponds to the months of January–February.