Durga Ashtami

festivals

Also known as: Durga (Maha) 8

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2026 Festival Date & Muhurta

About Durga Ashtami

Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri festival, dedicated to Goddess Maha Gauri.

It is the climax of Durga Puja. Legend states that on this day, Goddess Durga manifested her fierce form, Chamunda, to annihilate demons.

The day involves strict fasting, Kanya Pujan, and the highly powerful Sandhi Puja.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Observe a strict fast.
Perform Kanya Pujan: Nine young, unmarried girls are invited, their feet are washed, and they are offered a traditional meal.
Participate in 'Sandhi Puja' during the exact overlapping window of the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami.

Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).

Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.