दुर्गा अष्टमी
Durga Ashtami
Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Navratri, for Kanya Pujan and the worship of Mahagauri.
About Durga Ashtami
Durga Ashtami falls on Ashwina Shukla Ashtami. Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped, and in Bengal it is the grandest day of Durga Puja.
Sandhi Puja is done at the meeting of Ashtami and Navami, the moment the goddess is believed to have killed the demons Chanda and Munda. Many families do Kanya Pujan on this day.
How to celebrate
Worship Mahagauri with white flowers and coconut.
Do Kanya Pujan: wash the feet of nine young girls and a boy, and feed them halwa, puri and chana.
Join the Sandhi Puja at the meeting of Ashtami and Navami.
Offer pushpanjali at a Durga Puja pandal.
Questions
When is Durga Ashtami in 2026?
Durga Ashtami 2026 is on Monday, 19 October 2026. Shukla Ashtami tithi begins at 8:28 AM on Sunday 18 October and ends at 10:52 AM on Monday 19 October IST.
What is Kanya Pujan?
Young girls are worshipped as forms of the goddess, fed and given gifts, usually on Ashtami or Navami.
What is Sandhi Puja?
Worship in the 48 minutes when Ashtami ends and Navami begins, with 108 lamps and lotuses.
Around Durga Ashtami
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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