Festival guide
Durga Ashtami
Durga Ashtami, the eighth day of Sharad Navratri, is one of the most important days of the festival.
Durga Ashtami dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday 19 October | Ashwin Shukla Ashtami 18 Oct, 08:28 → 19 Oct, 10:52 |
| 2027 | Thursday 7 October | Ashwin Shukla Ashtami 7 Oct, 04:13 → 8 Oct, 06:28 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at sunrise.
Also known as: Maha Ashtami.
Story and significance
In Bengal tradition, the goddess Chamunda emerged from Durga at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami to slay the demons Chanda and Munda, commemorated by the Sandhi Puja.
How Durga Ashtami is celebrated
- Kanya puja with young girls honoured as the Goddess
- Sandhi Puja at the meeting of Ashtami and Navami tithis, with 108 lamps and lotuses
- Anjali — collective offering of flowers in Durga Puja pandals
- Many end their Navratri fast after Ashtami or Navami puja
Recite on Durga Ashtami: Durga Aarti — Jai Ambe Gauri
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Durga Ashtami 2026?
Durga Ashtami 2026 falls on Monday, 19 October 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Durga Ashtami 2027?
Durga Ashtami 2027 falls on Thursday, 7 October 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Durga Ashtami change every year?
Durga Ashtami is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha tithi 8 of Ashwin (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Durga Ashtami fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.