Celebrated on the eighth day of Sharad Navratri, Maha Ashtami is an important occasion for devotees of Goddess Durga. The festival is marked by faith and traditional observances across different parts of India.
Read on to know the date, shubh muhurat, puja timings and rituals for Ashtami 2026.
Ashtami Date
Maha Ashtami, also known as Durga Ashtami, will be observed on Monday, October 19, 2026, during Sharadiya Navratri. Ashtami Tithi begins on October 18 and ends on the morning of October 19, when Navami Tithi begins.
Hindu festivals are generally dated according to the tithi prevailing at sunrise. Since Saptami is present at sunrise on October 18 and Ashtami at sunrise on October 19, the latter is considered the main date for Maha Ashtami in the commonly followed Hindu calendar. As a result, both Ashtami and Navami are observed on October 19 this year.
Ashtami Puja Timings
According to the New Delhi Panchang, Ashtami Tithi will begin at 8:27 AM on Sunday, October 18, and end at 10:51 AM on Monday, October 19. These timings help devotees plan their Maha Ashtami prayers and rituals.
Ashtami Shubh Muharat
Ashtami Tithi ends at 10:51 AM on October 19 in New Delhi. Sandhi Puja, performed during the transition from Ashtami to Navami, is one of the important rituals associated with this period.
The reported Sandhi Puja muhurat is from approximately 10:27 AM to 11:15 AM on October 19. The ritual lasts 48 minutes, covering the final 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami.
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Ashtami Puja Rituals
Maha Ashtami is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga. As part of the rituals, devotees pray to her for peace, happiness and prosperity.
The puja begins with cleaning the prayer area and arranging the offerings. Devotees light a diya, burn incense, apply kumkum and offer flowers while chanting mantras or reciting the Durga Chalisa. Some families also read religious texts and perform special prayers. Many people observe a fast and offer flowers, fruits, sweets to the Goddess.
Sandhi Puja is performed during the transition between Ashtami and Navami. Another important ritual is Kanya Pujan, also known as Kanjak, in which young girls are worshipped as forms of Goddess Durga. They are served a traditional meal of halwa, puri and kala chana, and may also receive gifts. Some families perform a havan before completing the puja and breaking their fast according to their traditions.
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