About Durga Ashtami
Durga Ashtami, often called Maha Ashtami, falls on Ashvina Shukla Ashtami, the eighth day of Sharad Navratri. It is one of the most important days of the festival, dedicated to Goddess Durga and especially to Mahagauri, her serene, radiant eighth form. Devotees believe the Goddess's strength is at its most powerful at this point of the battle against evil.
In North India, many families perform Kanya Pujan on this day, inviting young girls into the home, washing their feet, tying a sacred thread and serving them halwa, puri and black chana as living forms of the Goddess. In Bengal and eastern India, Maha Ashtami begins with pushpanjali, a flower offering made by devotees together, and reaches its peak with the Sandhi Puja, held at the junction of Ashtami and Navami. According to the Devi Mahatmya, this is when Goddess Chamunda emerged to defeat the demons Chanda and Munda, and 108 lamps and lotuses are offered. At Belur Math and other centres, Kumari Puja is also performed.
How it is observed
- Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri and reading the Durga Saptashati
- Performing Kanya Pujan with halwa, puri and chana
- Offering pushpanjali at Durga Puja pandals in Bengal and eastern India
- Attending the Sandhi Puja with 108 lamps and lotuses
- Keeping a fast and breaking it after the puja according to family custom
Durga Ashtami dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Friday, 11 October 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Tuesday, 30 September 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Monday, 19 October 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Thursday, 7 October 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 26 September 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Sunday, 14 October 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Friday, 4 October 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
North India
Durga Ashtami, Kanjak
Families honour young girls as forms of the goddess with puri, chana and halwa, a custom called kanya puja or kanjak. Some do it on Navami instead.
West Bengal
Maha Ashtami
Devotees offer pushpanjali in the morning, and Sandhi Puja is performed at the meeting point of Ashtami and Navami with 108 lamps and lotuses.
West Bengal (Belur Math)
Kumari Puja
At Belur Math and other centres a young girl is worshipped as the goddess.
Telangana
Saddula Bathukamma
The grand final day of Bathukamma, when women gather with the biggest flower stacks and immerse them in lakes.
Kerala
Pooja Vaypu
Books and tools are placed before Saraswati in the evening for worship, and are taken back on Vijayadashami.
Some families perform Kanya Pujan on Navami instead of Ashtami. Those with health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly should check with a doctor before fasting.
← All festivals