Durga Ashtami 2026: Ashtami and Navami both on 19 October in most of India, Dussehra on 20 October

With Shardiya Navratri entering its final days, many devotees are asking when to observe Durga Ashtami this year. Because the Ashtami and Navami tithis overlap on a single calendar day, most panchang-based listings place both Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on Monday, 19 October, with Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October.

Saturday, 17 October, is Saptami, the seventh day of the festival, according to a Navratri calendar published by Brut India based on Delhi timings.

Why Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day

Hindu festivals follow the lunar tithi, and the tithi present at sunrise usually decides the day of observance. As per the timings listed by Brut India and Hindutone:

• Ashtami tithi: starts at 8:27 am on 18 October and ends at 10:51 am on 19 October
• Navami tithi: starts at 10:51 am on 19 October and ends at 12:50 pm on 20 October

Since Ashtami is the tithi at sunrise on 19 October, Durga Ashtami is marked that day in India. Navami begins later the same morning, so Maha Navami is also observed on 19 October in most of the country. Both sources note that West Bengal, including Kolkata, observes Maha Navami on 20 October.

Sandhi Puja, performed at the junction of the two tithis, falls on the morning of 19 October around 10:51 am, according to Hindutone, which listed timings for Hyderabad. Durga Puja pandals may announce their own schedules.

Key dates at a glance

• Saptami: Saturday, 17 October
• Durga Ashtami: Monday, 19 October
• Maha Navami: Monday, 19 October (20 October in Bengal)
• Dussehra / Vijayadashami: Tuesday, 20 October

Sources differ on Ashtami

Not every listing agrees. A calendar published by Business Today on 11 October, citing Drik Panchang for Delhi, gives Durga Ashtami as Sunday, 18 October, and Maha Navami as Monday, 19 October. Hindutone notes that 18 October is the Ashtami date for observers in the US, Canada and the UK, which may explain part of the variation. All three sources agree that Dussehra falls on 20 October.

On Kanya Pujan, in which young girls are worshipped as forms of the goddess, the sources say it may be done on either Ashtami or Navami depending on family custom. Brut India said those following the Delhi calendar can perform it on 19 October, while Hindutone advised that families keen to do it within Ashtami should finish before 10:51 am that day.

Timings shift slightly by city, so devotees are advised to check a local panchang or consult their temple priest before fixing puja times.

Sources: Brut India, Hindutone, Business Today