Navratri 2026 Ashtami date: October 18 or 19? Know when to perform puja and kanya pujan

If you’ve been scrolling through different Navratri calendars lately, you might have noticed something confusing: some places list Maha Ashtami on October 18, while others mark it down for October 19.It’s an easy thing to get tripped up by, but there’s a simple reason for it. Unlike standard calendars where a new day starts at midnight, Hindu festival dates are driven by lunar days, or tithis. A tithi can start at almost any time of day and often straddles two separate calendar dates.Here is why the confusion happens, which date you should actually follow, and how to plan your fasts and Kanya Pujan smoothly.Why the dates differAccording to the Drik Panchang, the Ashtami tithi actually begins on Sunday, October 18, at 8:27 AM (IST) and runs until Monday, October 19, at 10:51 AM.So, if you see October 18 listed somewhere, that calendar is just highlighting when the tithi officially kicks off. However, standard tradition follows the Udaya Tithi rule - meaning the date active at sunrise is considered the main day of observance.Because the Ashtami tithi is live when the sun rises on Monday morning, Monday, October 19, 2026 is the official day for observing Maha Ashtami.Key timings to keep in mind (Delhi / IST)Ashtami Tithi Begins: Sunday, October 18 at 8:27 AMAshtami Tithi Ends: Monday, October 19 at 10:51 AMMaha Ashtami Celebration & Fasting: Monday, October 19Navami Tithi Begins: Monday, October 19 right after Ashtami ends (10:51 AM) and continues through October 20Note: Lunar timings can shift slightly depending on where you live. If you’re organizing a puja or fast, it’s always a good idea to double-check your local city’s panchang.What nakes Maha Ashtami so special?Maha Ashtami is easily one of the most sacred and energetic days of the nine-night festival. It’s dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth avatar of Maa Durga, who represents purity, grace, and inner peace. Devotees spend the day fasting, decorating their altars with flowers and sweets, and visiting local pandals or temples.For many families - especially across North India - Ashtami is synonymous with Kanya Pujan. Young girls (representing the divine feminine energy of Durga) are welcomed into homes, given a ritual foot-washing, and served a traditional feast of puris, suji halwa, and cooked black chickpeas (kala chana). They’re also given small gifts, bangles, or money as a mark of respect before the fast is broken.What about Maha Navami?Because Ashtami wraps up at 10:51 AM on October 19, Navami begins immediately afterward on the very same day and runs into October 20.Depending on your family’s traditions, you might perform Kanya Pujan on the morning of October 19 while Ashtami is still active, or wait until Navami. If you’re planning a havan or a specific family ritual, checking in with your family priest or local temple will help clear up any scheduling overlaps.Which date should you follow?If you need a straightforward answer for your calendar: plan your fasts, temple visits, and main rituals for Monday, October 19.As long as you align your plans with the sunrise timing of your local area, you can rest easy knowing you're celebrating on the right day according to tradition.Get the latest movie news, reviews, and celebrity updates. Download the TOI App.