This year Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday, 19 October 2026. Ashtami tithi ends at 10:51 AM, and the Sandhi Puja window is 10:27 to 11:15 AM (New Delhi).
Why both fall on one day
Ashtami tithi begins at 8:27 AM on 18 October and ends at 10:51 AM on 19 October, when Navami begins. So North Indian panchangs place both the Ashtami and Navami worship on 19 October, with the Navratri parana and Dussehra on 20 October. Navami tithi lasts until 12:50 PM on 20 October, which is why Bengali panjikas keep Maha Navami on the 20th.
- Ashtami tithi
- 8:27 AM, 18 October to 10:51 AM, 19 October
- Sandhi Puja
- 19 October, 10:27 to 11:15 AM
- Navami tithi
- 10:51 AM, 19 October to 12:50 PM, 20 October
- Vijayadashami
- 20 October, Vijay Muhurat 1:59 to 2:45 PM
What to do when on 19 October
- After the morning bath, worship Maa Mahagauri and recite the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa.
- Families who do Kanya Pujan on Ashtami can complete it before 10:51 AM.
- Perform the Sandhi Puja between 10:27 and 11:15 AM: 108 lamps, red flowers and Maa Chamunda's mantra.
- Families who keep Navami worship Maa Siddhidatri and do the havan and Kanya Pujan after 10:51 AM.
- Break the fast on 20 October after 12:50 PM, when Dashami begins, or after the Kanya Pujan if that is your family's custom.
The day's two goddesses
At sunrise on 19 October it is Ashtami, so the morning worship is of Maa Mahagauri: dressed in white, riding a bull, her four hands holding a trishul and a damaru and showing abhaya and varada mudra. Her favourite bhog is coconut. Once Navami begins at 10:51 AM, Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped, seated on a lotus and holding a mace, a chakra, a conch and a lotus. Her bhog is sesame, and she is believed to grant every siddhi.
Why the junction matters
The join of Ashtami's last 24 minutes and Navami's first 24 minutes is considered the most powerful moment of the Durga Puja. It is believed that at this moment Maa Chamunda appeared and slew Chanda and Munda, the story told in the seventh chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
By tradition the Sandhi Puja lights 108 lamps and offers 108 lotuses or red flowers. In Bengal's pandals the dhak drums sound and the whole pandal fills with lamplight. At home too, these 48 minutes can be kept by lighting lamps, meditating on Maa Chamunda and chanting her mantra.
Your questions
Should Kanya Pujan be on Ashtami or Navami?
Both are traditional, and this year both fall on 19 October. Families who keep Ashtami should finish before 10:51 AM, and those who keep Navami after it. The custom is to invite nine girls aged two to ten, and one boy as Bhairav.
When should the fast be broken?
According to Drik Panchang, the Navratri parana is on 20 October after 12:50 PM, when Dashami begins. Many North Indian families break the fast on 19 October itself, after the Kanya Pujan.
When is the Navami havan?
In North India, on 19 October after 10:51 AM, once Navami has begun. In Bengal the Navami homa is on 20 October.
Dates and times checked against Drik Panchang and our own panchang, for New Delhi.
