19 अक्टूबर
Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami)
The most powerful day of Navratri — dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri and Kanya Pujan
See all Durga content →History
Durga Ashtami falls on the eighth day of Sharad Navratri, dedicated to worshipping Durga's "Mahagauri" form. In Bengal, it is called "Maha Ashtami" — the most significant day of Durga Puja, marked by "Sandhi Puja" (a special ritual at the junction of Ashtami and Navami), commemorating Durga's slaying of the demons Chanda and Munda.
Significance
The day is widely marked by "Kanya Pujan," in which nine young girls are honoured and fed as living representations of the nine forms of the goddess — a direct expression of reverence for feminine divinity.
Puja Vidhi
Perform formal worship of Mahagauri, conduct a havan, and observe Kanya Pujan by feeding and gifting nine young girls. In Bengal, offering 108 lamps and lotus flowers during Sandhi Puja is traditional on this day.
Muhurat
Sandhi Puja's precise timing spans the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami tithi; always check the local Panchang.
Check today's Panchang →Do's & Don'ts
✅ Do
- • Worship Goddess Mahagauri and perform a havan
- • Observe Kanya Pujan
- • Participate in Sandhi Puja if following Bengali tradition
❌ Don't
- • Avoid showing disrespect or neglect toward the young girls being honoured