The annual Ashok Ashtami Mela at Maa Kamakhya Temple adjacent to the Silghat Trishuldhari Temple near Nagaon in Assam attracts thousands of devotees. The Ashok Ashtami Mela is observed on the eighth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Chaitra month – Chaitra Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi. Ashok Ashtami Mela 2026 date is March 26. It is a week long festival. Silghat Trishuldhari Temple Location and Significance: Silghat Trishuldhari Temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located on the southern bank of the River Brahmaputra in Assam, India. This temple, which is estimated to be around 2000 years old, is a significant pilgrimage site for devotees who believe that visiting the temple grants them their wishes and ensures a prosperous life. The temple not only attracts worshippers of Lord Shiva but also those seeking blessings from Maa Kamakhya. Historical Importance: The temple's history and age add to its allure, drawing historians and tourists alike. Th...

Basanti Puja, also known as Chaitra Durga Puja, is observed during the Chaitra Navratri . Basanti Puja 2026 date is from March 24 to March 28. This puja is based on the belief that Durga Puja was originally held during Spring season, or Basant, to observe the Spring equinox. It was Lord Ram who changed worship period of Goddess Durga from Chaitra to Ashwin (October – November). He had invoked Goddess Durga in Ashwin month to get her blessings before starting his campaign against demon King Ravana in the Ramayana. The name Basanti puja is famous in eastern parts of India, especially in Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand. Mother Goddess is worshiped in North and Western parts of India during the same period for nine days starting from Chaitra Shukla Paksha Pratipada. Basanti Puja 2026 Calendar Sri Basanti Devi Durga Puja Amantran Adhibas – March 24 Saptami Puja, Nabapatrika – March 25 Ashtami puja , Sandhi Puja – March 26 Navami puja – Mar...

Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, begins on March 19, 2026 . This festival of nine nights in Hinduism is dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Chanting of mantra, pujas, fasting and various rituals are part of this nine days dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti. It is also known as Chaitra Navratri or Spring Navratri or Vasant Navratri. As this Navratri coincides with Ram Navami, it also referred as Ram Navratri. The dates are from March 19 to March 27, 2026. Chaitra Navratri is observed in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March – April). It is believed that Goddess Durga was originally worshipped (Durga Puja) in the Chaitra month and was also referred as Basanti Puja. It was Lord Ram who changed the period of Durga Puja. Chaitra Navratri  2026 dates Ghatasthapana – Navratri Day 1 – March 19 Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya – March 10 Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya - March 21 Varad Vinayak Chaturthi -  March 22 Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat,...

Kanjak Ashtami puja is an important ritual during the Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri. It falls on the eighth day – the Ashtami day – of the nine-day Navratri festival. A young girl child (Kanjaks) is worshipped on this day in North India . In 2026, the date of Kanjak Ashtami is marked on March 26. On the day people invite young girls to their homes and wash their feet and tie red color thread on their wrists. A tika is applied on the girl child’s forehead and worship them as Mother Goddess. The family members take blessing from the young child by touching their feet. The children are given ‘prasad,’ gifts and some money. Why is Kanjak Puja Performed? It is believed that performing Kanjak Puja will help in the removal of poverty. It ushers in peace and prosperity. It is also performed for overcoming enemies. It is also performed to overcome Vastu Dosh. The belief is that feeding five kanya on Chaitra Ashtami or Navami will remove all types of disturbances and difficulti...

Durga Ashtami during Navratri and is one of the most auspicious days during the nine-day festival. Durga Ashtami 2026 date during Chaitra Navratri is March 26. It is observed on the Shukla Ashtami or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra Month (March – April). Fasting dedicated to Goddess Durga is observed on the day by a large number of Hindus, especially in North and Eastern parts of  India . On the day, Mahashtami, Mahanisha Puja and Annapurna Parikrama held in Shakti Temples in North India . The day is also known as Chaitra Ashtami. Tara Ashtami rituals are also held on the day. Ashokastami is an important ritual held on the day in Orissa. The day is also the most important day during Basanti Puja. Annapurna Puja is also observed on the day. Related Navratri 8th day Pooja – Procedure – Mantra – How to do Navratri Day Eight Puja?

The eighth day Navratri puja is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. She is the light of the universe and a kind and merciful form of Mother Shakti Durga. Here is a brief idea on how to perform Navratri 8th day pooja along with mantra. This how to do and procedure is ideal for performing at home. Benefits of Navratri 8th day Pooja All those suffering due to the bad positioning of Rahu in janam kundli or horoscope will find relief as Goddess Mahagauri is the Lord of Rahu and southwest corner. Puja to her solves all problems in the sixth and eighth house of horoscope of a person. Victory over enemies. Relief from diseases. Solution to marriage related problems. Early marriage. Solution for house and property related problems. How to do Navratri Day Eight Puja? Clean the house. Take bath in the early morning. Wear white color clothes. Offer prayers to Ganesha. Sit facing southwest direction. Place the picture or painting of Goddess Mahagauri on a white color cl...

Chaitra Navratri Mela is an important annual festival and fair held during Chaitra Navratri at the world famous famous Vaishno Devi Temple at Katra, Jammu, India. Chaitra Navratri Festival At Vaishno Devi Temple is from March 19 to March 27, 2026. The most important dates of the Mela are March 26, 2026 – Durga Ashtami day and March 27 - Durga Navami. Goddess Vaishno Devi is an important incarnation of Goddess Shakti and in this form she is very popular in India. Millions of devotees arrive at the Vaishno Devi cave shrine to worship Maa Vaishno Devi during Chaitra Navratri. Special decorations and pujas take place during the nine days. Chaitra Navratri is of great importance in the Himalayan regions. It is believed that the original Navratri was held during the March – April period. It was Bhagavan Sri Ram who invoked Goddess Durga in September – October period to get her blessing in the battle against Ravana in the Ramayana. Vaishno Devi temple is on...

Ghatasthapana, or Kalash Sthapana Puja, is the one of the most auspicious ceremony during Chaitra Navratri festival in North India and in  Nepal . The good time for Ghatasthapana on March 19, 2026 is from 12:05 PM to 12:53 PM. Vasant Navratri Kalash Sthapana Puja involves invoking the mother Goddess in a Pot or Kalash and sowing of seeds (barely etc). Abhijit Muhurat time is from 12:05 PM to 12:53 PM Some people opt for Abhijit Muhurta and this time is not present this year as it falls on Wednesday. The pot is sprinkled with water on all the nine days. Pujas and other rituals are performed. At the end of the ninth day, the barley shoots will reach a height of 2 to 3 inches and its then pulled out and distributed.

Jawalamukhi Temple located in Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh is one among the Shakti Peethas. Legend has it that the tongue of Sati (Shakti) fell here when Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Sati into pieces to pacify Lord Shiva. Jwala Ji Chaitra Navratri Mela is one of the important fair held here. Jwalamukhi Temple Chaitra Navratri Mela 2026 date - March 19 to March 27, 2026. This unique temple, also referred as Jawalaji, does not have an idol instead there are nine flames burning continuously from the fissures in the temple. Since the Goddess is worshipped in the form of celestial flame she is known as Jawalamukhi. Nobody has been able to recognize the fuel source of the sacred flame. Nearly half a million devotees from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab , Chandigarh , Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and other parts of India arrive at Jawalamukhi temple during the Chaitra Navratri mela or Vasant Navratri festival. Chaitra Navratri is the Durga Puja during ...

Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana Puja, is performed on the first day of Navaratri and Dasain. Ghatasthapana involves invoking Goddess Shakti in Kalash or Pot and symbolically on the growing shoots of grains. In 2025, the ritual is on September 22 during Ashwin Navratri. During Chaitra Navratri it is on March 19, 2026. Ghatasthapana is performed mainly in Nepal during Dashain, North India during Navratri and in some parts of Bengal and eastern parts of India during Durga Puja. Here is a step by step guide on how to do or perform Ghatasthapana. Please note that this article only aims to give an idea of Ghatasthapana. You must be aware that Hindu rituals vary from region to region. Items needed for Ghatasthapana Pot made of mud (earthen) or copper with a big mouth Copper or Silver or Mud Pot as Kalash Soil or Sand Five or Seven types of grains (Most people nowadays opt for single grain or gram) An idol or image of Goddess Durga or any form of Goddess...

Kumari Puja is the worship of young virgin girls which is performed during Chaitra Navratri, Sharan Navaratri (September – October) and Durga Puja. The ritual is also known as Kumarika Pujan and is of great importance to some Hindu Communities in North India . Some people perform the ritual on all nine days and some only the Durga Ashtami and the Mahanavami day. Here is a simple explanation on how to perform Kumari Puja? A young kumari girl is invited to the home during Navratri. Some people invite a young girl on all nine days. Some people perform the Kumarika Puja only on the Ashtami or Navami day. In rare cases some people invite nine young girls on any one of the days during Navratri. The young girl is the representative of Goddess Shakti. The young girl is invited a mat or stool is given to sit. Then her feet are washed – this is known as padya puja. While performing the ritual one symbolically considers the young girl as Goddess Shakti. Then she is offered a sump...

Chaitra Navratri Puja Vidhi in North India include Ghatasthapana, Kumari Puja etc. Here is a simple method on how to do Chaitra Navratri Puja in North India the Hindu way. The rules and procedure might vary slightly in various regions or depending on communities. Chaitra Navratri Puja Vidhi  Things needed for Chaitra Navratri Puja are: Clay vessel – open mouth to sow barely Kalash Pot Clean and good soil for sowing barely Barely seeds Water Sacred thread (mauli) Scent Supari (betel nut) Coins Mango Leaves Raw Rice Coconut Two Red cloth 2 Flower garlands or flowers Chawki (raised wooden platform) Picture of Painting of Goddess Durga Dhoop Lamp Ghee Cotton wick Fruits Sweets Puja Thali Chunari or cloth for Mother Goddess First is Ghatasthapana Preparing Barely Pot Take the open mouth clay pot and fill soil up to half of the pot. Then put the barely seeds. Put soil on top of the barely seeds. Again put barely seeds but do...

Nagar Vadhus of Kashi (sex workers or bride of the city) offers a unique puja at Manikarnika Cremation Ghat during Chaitra Navratri. Dance and music are played while the dead are being cremated. This takes place during the seventh night of Chaitra Navratri – March 25, 2026. This is a very ancient tradition. The sex workers of Varanasi dance and play music while offering prayers to Shiva at Manikarnika Cremation Ghat. After performing religious rituals, they present dance and music at the makeshift stage amid the burning pyres in respect of the lord of cremation ground.

Kumari Puja is performed on the eighth or the ninth day of Navratri. Kumari Puja Mantra in Hindi is given below. It is chanted during Chaitra Navratri. The Pujan is performed during both Chaitra Navratri (March – April) and Ashwin Navratri (September – October). Young girl children between the age of 2 and 10 are offered new dress and food on the day. They symbolically represent Goddess Shakti. Kumari Puja Mantra

Mansa Devi Mela is an important annual festival and fair held during Chaitra Navratri at the famous Manasa Devi Temple near Panchkula in Haryana. Mansa Devi Mela is from March 19 to March 27, 2026. The most important dates of the Mela are from March 26, 2026 – Durga Ashtami day. Goddess Mansa Devi is an important incarnation of Goddess Shakti and in this form she is very popular in the Himalayas . Millions of devotees arrive at the Mansa Devi Temple worship Mansa Devi during Chaitra Navratri. The temple is open for the entire period on the 7th and 8th day of the Navratri festival. At other times, darshan is from 5AM to 10PM. Temporary accommodation is provided in tents during the period for devotees. 

Ghatasthapana is an important ritual during Navratri. It literally means installing a pot which symbolizes Goddess Shakti. A Pot with image of Goddess Durga embossed on the side of it is place in the Puja room. The pot is placed on a bed of sand. This is performed on the first day of Navratri especially during Vasant Navratri in North India . The pot is filled with mud and sprinkled with cow dung. Barley seeds are sown in it. Some people also sow barley seeds on the bed on which the pot is placed. The Ghata (Pot) is installed at the auspicious time of the first day of the Navratri. It is believed Goddess Shakti blesses the Pot with her presence. The pot is sprinkled with water on all the nine days. Pujas and other rituals are performed. At the end of the ninth day, the barley shoots will reach a height of 2 to 3 inches and its then pulled out and distributed. Ghatasthapana is an important ritual during Navratri and Durga Puja (September – October) and also at ...

Ram Navratri is observed during the Shukla Paksha (Waxing phase of moon) in the month of Chaitra (March – April) as per traditional Hindu calendar. In 2026, Ram Navratri begins on March 19 to March 27, 2026. This festival of nine nights in Hindu religion is dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati and is takes place during the spring season it is also known as Spring Navratri. In some regions the nine days are dedicated to the worship of Lord Ram and includes the reading of Ramayana and observance of Ramayan week. Legend has it that that Goddess Durga was originally worshipped in the Chaitra month. It was also referred as Basanti Puja as it took place during spring season. But the present day Durga Puja is held during the Ashwin month (September – October). It was Lord Ram who changed the period of Durga Puja from Chaitra to Ashwin as he needed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Durga before going to battle with Ravana. This is why the Durga Puja during (September ...