Shardiya Navratri 2026: Ashtami and Navami to Fall on Same Day, Clarity Shared on Dates

Correct Dates

Devotees faced confusion over whether Maha Ashtami falls on October 18 or 19 during Shardiya Navratri 2026. Astrologer Pandit Praveen Mishra clarified that the auspicious date for Kanya Pujan and Goddess Mahagauri worship is October 19, which is a Monday, because October 18 does not have Udaya Tithi for Ashtami. Consequently, both Ashtami and Navami Kanya Pujan will take place on the very same day since Ashtami ends and Navami begins on October 19.

Timings and Rituals

According to the Hindu calendar, Ashtami starts at 8:27 AM on October 18 and concludes at 10:51 AM on October 19. Several auspicious windows are marked for the festival, including Brahma Muhurat from 4:52 AM to 5:40 AM, Amrit Kaal from 7:28 AM to 9:16 AM, and Abhijit Muhurat from 11:49 AM to 12:34 PM. Meanwhile, Sandhi Puja is scheduled on October 19 from 10:27 AM to 11:15 AM, lasting for a total of 48 minutes by combining the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami. During this 48-minute window, Goddess Durga took her Chamunda form to destroy the demons Chand and Mund.

Context

Festivals in the Hindu calendar are calculated based on lunar and solar positions, which can occasionally lead to overlapping tithis or shifted dates compared to the Gregorian calendar. Pandit Mishra's clarification helps devotees observe rituals and fasting on the spiritually correct sunrise-governed days.