Navratri 2026: Ashtami and Navami worship dates announced across India

Ashtami and Navami, two of the most significant days during the Navratri festival, will be celebrated on October 19, 2026. These dates mark important occasions in the Hindu calendar when devotees engage in Kanya Pujan, a ritual honoring young girls as manifestations of the divine feminine principle.

The Ashtami tithi, or the eighth lunar day, precedes Navami, the ninth lunar day, both falling within the festival period dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Devotees traditionally observe fasting, perform special prayers, and undertake ritualistic ceremonies during these days. The worship involves recitation of mantras dedicated to Mahagarvi, the eighth form of Durga, and Siddhidatri, the ninth manifestation, believed to bestow spiritual wisdom and fulfillment.

Kanya Pujan represents a central ritual during Navratri, where nine young girls are venerated and offered food and gifts as symbolic representations of the goddess's various forms. Devotional practices during Ashtami and Navami are believed to bring divine blessings and spiritual advancement to practitioners.

For those observing these festivals, specific muhurat timings are recommended for conducting prayers and rituals to ensure maximum spiritual benefit. Devotees are advised to consult lunar calendars and consult with priests or spiritual guides for precise timing and proper execution of traditional worship methods according to regional customs.