Durga Ashtami 2026 – Importance of Durga Ashtami - Mantra

Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri celebrations. Durgashtami is also known as Mahashtami and is one of the important days of Durga Puja and a fast is undertaken by many people. In 2026, the date of Durga Ashtami is October 19. Weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped on the day and it is known Astra Puja. The day is also known as Virashtami as there are displays using arms or martial arts. It is one of the most important day for Goddess Worship in Hindu religion.

Please note - Chaitra Durga Ashtami will be observed on March 26, 2026.

There is also a belief in some regions that Goddess Kali appeared from the forehead of Durga on this day to annihilate Chanda and Munda and Raktabija. During the Durga Puja rituals on Mahashtami day the 64 Yoginis and Ashta Nayikas – the eight consorts – of Durga are also worshipped.

The eight consorts of Durga, also known as Eight Shaktis, are interpreted differently in different regions of India. But ultimately all the eight goddesses are incarnations of Shakti with different aims. Sometimes they are also an attempt to give form to a particular aspect of Shakti.

The Ashta Nayikas that are worshipped during Durga Puja are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kameswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda.

Numerous minor deities including many attendants and guards of Durga are worshipped on the day.

A fast is observed by staunch Durga devotees on Durga Ashtami. Both men and women observe the fast. Shakti temples conduct special pujas on the day and are visited by millions of devotees.

Durgashtami day ends with Sandhi puja, which overlaps into the next day which is the Mahanavami day.

Another important puja on the day is the Mahanisha puja.

Books, pen, musical instruments, and other implements used for making a living are kept for puja in the evening on Ashtami day. It is then taken on the morning of Vijayadashami.

Importance Of Durga Puja Ashtami In Scriptures

“Mahā-vipattārakatvād gīyate ’sau mahāṣṭamī / mahā-sampad-dāyakatvāt sā mahānavamī matā”— meaning, Ashtami is called Mahashtami because, with the appearance of the goddess Durga, the great troubles of the three worlds are destroyed; and Navami is Mahanavami because it is the tithi that grants great prosperity.

According to the Kalika Purana:
“Āśvinasya tu śuklasya bhaved yā aṣṭamī tithiḥ / mahāṣṭamīti sā proktā devyāḥ prītikarī parā”—
that is, the Ashtami tithi of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashwin is especially pleasing to the goddess; hence it is known as Mahashtami.

It further states:
“tataḥ anu navamī yā syāt sā mahānavamī smṛtā / sā tithiḥ sarva-lokānāṁ pūjanyā śiva-priyā”—
the Navami that follows Mahashtami is remembered as Mahanavami, the tithi that is worthy of worship by all worlds and beloved of Shiva. According to scripture, it is on Mahanavami that the goddess revealed herself as the object of universal worship. Scripture also says that the Puja concludes on this great tithi. 

Mantra To Be Chanted on Durga Ashtami

ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥

Monthly Durga Ashtami

Shakti devotees also observe the eighth day after Amavasya or No Moon in all months as Durga Ashtami. Fasting, prayers and other rituals are observed on the day.