Festivals / Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami

Ashwina Shukla Ashtami · Mahagauri (Durga)

This year
Monday, 19 October 2026
Also known as Maha Ashtami

Significance

The eighth and most powerful night of Navratri — the height of Durga worship, marked by Sandhi Puja at the join of Ashtami and Navami.

The story behind Durga Ashtami

On Ashtami the Goddess's battle with Mahishasura reaches its fiercest pitch. The Sandhi Puja, offered in the forty-eight minutes bridging Ashtami and Navami, recalls the exact moment the tide turned — the most charged window of the entire festival.

How Durga Ashtami is observed

  • Sandhi Puja at the Ashtami–Navami juncture.
  • Kanya Pujan / Kumari Puja — worshipping young girls as the Goddess.
  • Offering and later breaking the fast with the Navratri prasad.
  • Weapons and tools worshipped (Astra Puja) in some regions.

Puja Vidhi & Prayers

Watch the step-by-step puja vidhi, aarti, and prayers for Durga Ashtami.

▶ Watch Durga Ashtami Puja Vidhi & Prayers on YouTube
How the date is fixed: Ashtami of the bright fortnight of Ashwina.

Durga Ashtami dates (2015–2035)

YearDateDay
201521 October 2015Wednesday
20169 October 2016Sunday
201728 September 2017Thursday
201817 October 2018Wednesday
20196 October 2019Sunday
202024 October 2020Saturday
202113 October 2021Wednesday
20223 October 2022Monday
202322 October 2023Sunday
202411 October 2024Friday
202530 September 2025Tuesday
202619 October 2026Monday
20277 October 2027Thursday
202825 October 2028Wednesday
202914 October 2029Sunday
20304 October 2030Friday
203123 October 2031Thursday
203212 October 2032Tuesday
20332 October 2033Sunday
203420 October 2034Friday
20359 October 2035Tuesday

Dates are computed from precise sidereal (Lahiri) astronomy for a New Delhi reference and may vary by ±1 day for some evening/midnight festivals depending on your location and regional tradition — the timings above adjust to where you are.