Durga Ashtami is celebrated on the third day of Durga Puja celebrations and eighth day of Navratri festivities across the country. As the nine days of Navratri draw to a close, special rituals are performed on the last two days of the celebrations from Sandhi Puja to Kumari Puja. After the Prana Pratishtha ceremony on Maha Saptami or second day of Durga Puja, Durga Ashtami begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja. It is also the day when nine unmarried girls are worshipped as the incarnation of goddess Durga in the Kanjak or Kumari Puja. All you want to know about the date, puja timings and rituals of Durga Ashtami.
When is Durga Ashtami 2025?
This year Durga Ashtami will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The Ashtami Tithi will begin from Monday, September 29, 2025, at 04:31 PM and end on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 06:06 PM, according to drikpanchang.com.
Unique themes of Durga Puja pandals this year
Durga Puja celebrations have begun with a bang on September 28 in several states of the country from West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Delhi to Maharashtra, as unique pandals have been set up across various cities. Artistic storytelling and eco-friendly themes are quite a hit this year. A Durga Puja pandal with the “Operation Sindoor” theme that’s used dramatic military motifs and storytelling, has become a major talking point this year
FA vatican-themed Durga Puja pandal in Ranchi, and a Durga Puja pandal in Baharampur, West Bengal, that has portrayed US President Donald Trump as the ‘asura’ or demon, have also caught people’s attention.
Durga Ashtami top rituals
Kanjak
On Ashtami or Navami tithi, Kanjak or Kanya Puja is performed where nine young girls are worshipped as an incarnation of goddess Durga. Nine small pots representing nine forms of goddess Durga are set up and special prayers are offered. People welcoming the little goddesses at home wash their feet, apply tilak on their forehead, offer them a prasad of pooris, halwa, and chana, and conclude the ceremony by giving them gifts or money.
Mahasnan and Shodashopachara Puja
On Maha Ashtami, Mahasnan or the sacred bathing of goddess Durga with water or panchamrutha is done. It is the first step of a Shodashopachara Puja, wherein sixteen offerings or services to a deity is performed, from invoking and seating the god to offering food and concluding with aarti.
Sandhi Puja
Sandhi Puja is done at the juncture when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami Tithi begins. It is believed that Devi Chamunda appeared during this time to kill demons Chanda and Munda. The puja lasts for approx. 48 minutes.
Sandhi Puja will be performed on September 30. The puja timings are from 5:42 pm till 6:30 pm.