Durga Ashtami
दुर्गा अष्टमी
The most powerful day of Navratri with Mahagauri worship and kanya pujan.
- Date
- Sun, 18 October 2026
- Tithi
- Ashtami
- Paksha
- Shukla
- Hindu Month
- Ashwin
- Nakshatra
- Purva Ashadha
- Yoga
- Sukarma
- Karana
- Bava
- Vikram Samvat
- VS 2083
- Muhurat
- 05:50 PM – 06:38 PM (Sandhi)
- Duration
- 1 Day
About this observance
Maha Ashtami features sandhi puja at the junction of Ashtami and Navami, kanya pujan of nine girls and grand Chandi havan.
Importance
Sandhi puja is regarded as the exact moment Durga assumed the Chamunda form.
History
Central to Bengals Durga Puja and North Indian Navratri alike.
Mythological story
Durga created Chamunda from her brow to destroy Chanda and Munda at the sandhi kshan.
Related in this category
Sharad Navratri
शारदीय नवरात्रि
Nine nights of Goddess Durga in her nine divine forms.
Diwali — Lakshmi Puja
दीपावली
The festival of lights with Mahalakshmi and Ganesh puja.
Vasant Panchami
वसंत पंचमी
Worship of Goddess Saraswati and the arrival of spring.
Chaitra Navratri
चैत्र नवरात्रि
Nine nights of Durga beginning the Hindu new year.
Radha Ashtami
राधा अष्टमी
Appearance day of Shri Radha Rani, celebrated with abhishek and bhajan in Braj.
Maha Navami
महा नवमी
Ninth day of Navratri worshipping Maa Siddhidatri with Kanya Pujan and havan.