Bhishma Ashtami 2026: Why did Bhishma Pitamah choose this date to sacrifice his body? Read the secret related to this

News Topical, Digital Desk : According to the Vedic calendar, Bhishma Ashtami is being celebrated today, January 26 (When is Bhishma Ashtami 2026). This day is dedicated to Bhishma Pitamah, one of the most important characters in the Mahabharata. On Bhishma Ashtami, Bhishma Pitamah gave up his body. Do you know why Bhishma Pitamah chose the Ashtami date of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Magha to give up his body? If you don't know, let's find out why.

Bhishma Ashtami 2026 Date and Shubh Muhurat

According to the Vedic calendar, the Ashtami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) of the month of Magha began at 11:10 pm on January 25th. This Tithi will end at 9:17 pm on January 26th. Therefore, Bhishma Ashtami is being celebrated today, January 26th.

Story of Bhishma Ashtami

According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah left his body on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Magh. Therefore, Ekodishta Shraddha (a sacred thread ceremony) is performed on this day. It is believed that performing Ekodishta Shraddha pleases the ancestors and relieves obstacles in marriage and employment. On the 10th day of the Mahabharata war, Arjuna shot an arrow at Bhishma Pitamah, causing him to fall from his chariot and his body to rest on a bed of arrows. Bhishma Pitamah waited for an auspicious time to leave his body.
According to religious belief, auspicious works begin when the Sun God begins to move north. For this reason, Bhishma Pitamah chose the Ashtami Tithi (eighth day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Magh to leave his body. There is a religious belief that leaving the body during Uttarayan (the northern phase) liberates one from the cycle of life and death.

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