Maha Ashtami is also known as Durga Ashtami. Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri festival. Goddess Mahagauri is worshiped as the eighth form of Goddess Durga in Hinduism. On the auspicious occasion of Durga Ashtami, people observe fast, perform puja, and worship nine young girls.
When is Maha Ashtami and Durga Ashtami celebrated in 2026?
It takes place during the transition period between the end of Ashtami and the beginning of Navami. Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami begins at 08:27 AM on October 18 and ends at 10:51 AM on October 19, 2026. The dates and timings of Sandhi Puja and Kanya Puja are also almost the same.
Why are Durga Ashtami and Maha Ashtami important?
As we all know, Navratri lasts for 9 days, and some Hindus observe a fast for all 9 days. However, people who cannot keep a fast for all nine days observe a fast on the first and eighth days and worship Goddess Durga.
Mahashtami and Durga Ashtami are celebrated on the same day. Durgashtami is considered a very auspicious and sacred date for worshipping Goddess Durga. It is believed that with this divine power, Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura and freed the world from his atrocities. Many people perform havan and special puja on this day to eliminate evil.
Why is Goddess Mahagauri worshipped on Durga Ashtami?
Mahagauri is the eighth form of Goddess Durga, who is worshipped on Maha Ashtami. Mahagauri has an extremely fair (white) complexion. On this day, the power of Mahagauri is at its peak. According to mythology, she performed severe penance to attain Lord Shiva as her husband, due to which her body became dark. Then Mahadev bathed her with Ganga water, and she became extremely radiant and fair in complexion like lightning. Since then, she came to be known as Mahagauri.
How is Maha Ashtami and Durga Ashtami Puja performed?
On the auspicious occasion of Durga Ashtami, Hindus wake up early in the morning and take a bath. They wear clean or new clothes. Some people also observe a fast. They clean the place of worship by sprinkling Gangajal. Some people light an Akhand Jyoti and take care of it. Roli, Akshat (rice), red flowers and sindoor are offered to Goddess Mahagauri. Sixteen adornment items are offered to the Goddess. Halwa, puri, black chickpeas and coconut are offered as bhog to the Goddess. Sweets and fresh fruits are also kept as offerings. People chant the mantra "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche." They can recite the eighth chapter of Durga Saptashati or listen to the story of Maha Ashtami. Aarti is performed again in the evening. On this day or on Navami, nine girls below the age of 9 years (Kanya Puja) and one boy (Langura) are given food. The feet of the young girls are washed, and they are also given gifts. The girls are worshipped as a form of Goddess Durga.
Devotees also offer fresh flowers and sacred leaves with folded hands at the feet of Goddess Durga while chanting mantras. This act is called Pushpanjali.
Importance of Sandhi Puja on Durga Ashtami
Sandhi Puja is a sacred 48-minute ritual during Durga Puja. It is performed at the junction of Ashtami and Navami Tithi. It includes the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami. Lighting 108 lamps during Sandhi Puja brings divine energy and positivity.
So, Durga Ashtami is a widely celebrated Hindu festival in India. Many devotees keep fasting on the day (vrat) and worship Maa Durga. People also visit the Maa Durga temple on this day. This auspicious day gives devotees strength, protection, and the blessings of Goddess Durga.