🙏 Goddess Durga

Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami

🗓️ Ashwin Shukla Ashtami (Sep–Oct)

The story behind Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami

Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Sharad Navratri, is devoted to the fiercest form of Goddess Durga. Many traditions perform Sandhi Puja at the exact junction of Ashtami and Navami tithis, commemorating the moment Durga is believed to have slain the demons Chanda and Munda. Young girls are worshipped as living forms of the Goddess in Kanya Puja, and the day is marked with elaborate aarti, fasting, and offerings of flowers and sweets.

Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami Puja Vidhi

  1. 1

    Kalash & Devi Puja

    Continue the worship of the sthapit kalash and Durga idol with fresh flowers, akshat, and a lit diya.

  2. 2

    Kanya Puja

    Invite young girls, wash their feet, and offer them food, gifts, and respect as living forms of the Goddess.

  3. 3

    Sandhi Puja

    At the precise junction of Ashtami and Navami, offer 108 lotuses or hibiscus flowers and a lamp with 108 wicks, where this tradition is observed.

  4. 4

    Aarti & Naivedya

    Perform the evening aarti with a lit diya and offer fruits, sweets, or a full meal (bhog) to the Goddess.

Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami Mantra

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥

Meaning

Salutations to Goddess Chamunda, the fierce form of Durga who destroys negativity — the Navarna Mantra.

How to chant

Chant 108 times during the Devi puja or Sandhi Puja, using a rudraksha or crystal mala.

When is Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami?

YearDate
2026Monday, 19 October 2026
2027Thursday, 7 October 2027
2028Tuesday, 26 September 2028
2029Sunday, 14 October 2029

Dates are computed with the Drik (observational) method from real solar and lunar positions, using sunrise-to-sunrise Tithi assignment for New Delhi.

Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami's date is calculated from the Sun's position rather than from local sunrise or sunset, and this calculation does not yet adjust for your location. Some communities observe it a day earlier or later depending on local convention — check with your local temple or community for the date observed where you are.

These dates follow the panchang convention computed for each city's own coordinates — they are not a universal verdict. Some temples and communities shift observance to a weekend regardless of the computed date, and published panchang authorities recommend using your own city's panchang rather than a single worldwide date. Confirm with your local temple or community before treating a date as final.

Festivals around Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami

All Hindu festivals →See the full Vedic calendar →Today's Panchang & muhurtas →

Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami FAQs

Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami falls on 19 October 2026, based on Kaala's Drik Panchang calculation for the corresponding Tithi.

Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami is dated according to the lunar Tithi, not the fixed Gregorian calendar, so its Gregorian date shifts from year to year while its position in the lunar calendar stays consistent.

The astronomical event Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami marks happens at the same instant everywhere in the world, but which calendar day that instant falls on locally depends on each city's own timing — so cities in different countries can observe Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami a day apart.