Chaitra Navratri 2026 Ashtami Navami Date and Timing: When is Maha Ashtami and Navami in Chaitra Navratri 2026, know the exact date-time, complete method, importance and important rules of Kanya Puja. What to do and what not to do on Ashtami-Navami, read complete details here.
Chaitra Navratri Ashtami Date 2026: Chaitra Navratri 2026 is starting from March 19 and will conclude with Ram Navami on March 27. Different forms of Maa Durga are worshiped throughout the nine days, but Maha Ashtami and Mahanavami are considered most special during these days. This is the time when the tradition of Kanya Puja is followed in every house. Know when is Chaitra Navratri 2026 Maha Ashtami and Vami this time? Auspicious time for Kanya Puja, important details including method.
When is Chaitra Navratri Maha Ashtami 2026? Auspicious time for Ashtami-Navmi Kanya Pooja
This year Maha Ashtami will be celebrated on 26 March 2026, Thursday. This day is dedicated to Mother Mahagauri. It is believed that on this day, worshiping and worshiping a girl according to rituals in the morning gives special results. Ashtami Tithi will start from 1:51 pm on March 25 and will continue till 11:49 am on March 26. According to religious belief, the date which coincides with the time of sunrise is considered valid on that day. For this reason, Ashtami puja will be done on 26th March and the devotees who observe Ashtami fast should also perform Kanya Puja on this day. After this, Navami Tithi will start after 11:49 am on March 26, which will continue till 10:08 am on March 27. Many people also worship Kanya on Navami Tithi. At the same time, Dashami Tithi will end on March 28 at 8.46 am and Navratri fast will be broken on the same day.
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How to do Maha Ashtami Puja?
On the day of Maha Ashtami, wake up early in the morning, take bath, wear clean clothes and worship Goddess Durga. After this, worship the girl and offer her prasad and food. Try to complete all this work in the morning itself.
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Why is this day so special?
Maha Ashtami is considered to be the most powerful day of Navratri. On this day, Goddess Durga is worshiped with ‘Maha Snan’ and ‘Shodashopachar’ method. It is believed that this puja brings happiness, peace and positive energy to the house.
Chaitra Navratri 2026: Worship girls like this on Ashtami-Navami
Kanya Puja is not just a ritual but a symbol of faith in the Goddess. On this day, small girls aged between 2 to 12 years are considered as goddesses and worshiped, fed and given gifts. Invite small girls aged between 2 to 12 years to your home on the day of Ashtami or Navami. Considering her as a goddess, touch her feet with respect and seek blessings. After this, make all the girls sit on clean seats, apply tilak on their forehead and tie Kalava on their hands. Then with reverence, cover them with red chunari and serve halwa, puri and black gram as prasad. After the meal, send them off by giving them Dakshina and gifts as per your capacity. Before parting, keep some raw yellow rice in the hands of the girls. After this, while chanting “Jai Mata Di”, take that rice in your bag or plate.
Do not make these mistakes even by mistake on the day of Maha Ashtami.
- Do not quarrel or insult anyone at home: It is important to keep both mind and behavior clean during these holy days.
- Keep distance from Tamasic food: Avoid things like garlic-onion, non-vegetarian food or alcohol.
- Do not offer Tulsi to Maa Durga: Although Tulsi is offered to Lord Rama on Ram Navami, offering Tulsi to Maa Durga during Navratri is considered taboo.
- Sleeping till late in the morning is considered harmful: On the day of Ashtami and Navami, one gets full results only by getting up in Brahma Muhurta and worshiping.
Chaitra Navratri 2026 Tithi List: Which goddess will be worshiped on which day in Chaitra Navratri 2026?
- Pratipada- Maa Shailputri- 19 March 2026
- Dwitiya- Maa Brahmacharini- 20 March 2026
- Tritiya- Maa Chandraghanta- 21 March 2026
- Chaturthi- Maa Kushmanda- 22 March 2026 Panchami- Maa Skandamata- 23 March 2026
- Shashthi- Maa Katyayani- 24 March 2026
- Saptami- Maa Kalratri- 25 March 2026
- Ashtami- Maa Mahagauri- 26 March 2026
- Navami- Maa Siddhidatri and Ram Navami- 27 March 2026