Shardiya Navratri 2026: When To Celebrate Maha Ashtami – October 18 Or 19?

Coming to this year, Sharadiya Navaratri began on 10^th October and concludes in the early hours of 19^th October.

According to the local calendar Maha Ashtami is falling 19^th October, Monday. Devotees worship Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, on this auspicious day.

Maha Ashtami 2026: Date And Tithi Timings

• Maha Ashtami 2026: Monday, October 19
• Ashtami Tithi Begins: October 18, 2026, at 8:27 AM
• Ashtami Tithi Ends: October 19, 2026, at 10:51 AM

Let us also check the significance of Kanya Puja:

Kanya Puja is also known as Kanjak Puja and is an important ritual followed by many devotees during Navaratri. Especially young girls are revered as manifestations of Goddess Durga. Well, devotees welcome the young girls to their houses and also apply tilak on their foreheads as a mark of respect and also tie the sacred threads around their wrists. They also serve them halwa, puri and kala chana and offer them fruits and sweets. Finally, they also take the blessings of young girls and complete the ritual. This Kanya puja is performed on Maha Ashtami or Maha Navami according to their customs while some of them also perform havan for the well-being of their families.