When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Durga Ashtami celebrated in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Durga Ashtami 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Ashwin Shukla Ashtami). The Ashtami tithi begins on Saturday night and extends through Sunday evening, making Sunday daytime the prime period for Mahagauri Pujan and Kanya Pujan.

What is Sandhi Puja and why is it significant?

Sandhi Puja is a sacred 48-minute astronomical window bridging the final 24 minutes of Ashtami and the initial 24 minutes of Navami. It marks the precise cosmic moment when Goddess Chamunda manifested to annihilate demons Chanda and Munda. Worshipping the Goddess during this window with 108 lamps is believed to grant instant spiritual liberation.

What are the rules for Kanya Pujan during Durga Ashtami?

Traditional custom suggests inviting nine girls between the ages of 2 and 10 years, representing the nine avatars of Durga, along with one young boy representing Batuk Bhairav. Devotees wash their feet, apply red kumkum, offer a traditional meal of Kala Chana, Halwa, and Puri, and gift them bangles, coins, and fruit.

Why is white color associated with Goddess Mahagauri?

White symbolizes unblemished purity, calm discernment, and spiritual detachment. Goddess Mahagauri wears spotless white garments and rides a white bull (Vrishabha), bestowing tranquility and washing away karmic taints.

Can Navachandi Havan be performed at home on Durga Ashtami?

Yes, many Maharashtrian families perform a miniature Chandi Havan at home using a copper Havan Kund, offering sacred herbs, cow ghee, and sweet kheer into the fire while reciting the Devi Kavacham or Durga Saptashati.

Durga Ashtami 2026 | दुर्गा अष्टमी

Durga Ashtami Kanya Pujan Mahagauri Maharashtra Celebration

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About Durga Ashtami(उत्सव माहिती)

Durga Ashtami (दुर्गाष्टमी / महाष्टमी), falling on Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, is the most spiritually intense and powerful day of the nine-day Navratri festival across Maharashtra. Revered as the day when Goddess Mahagauri — the radiant, white-clad manifestation of Adishakti representing absolute purity, peace, and grace — is worshipped, it also commemorates the fierce emergence of Goddess Chamunda from Mother Durga's brow to vanquish demons Chanda and Munda.

In Maharashtrian households and shrines, the day begins with Gauri Pujan and the elaborate sacred fire sacrifice known as Navachandi Havan (नवचंडी होम / हवन). Pure cow ghee, medicinal herbs, dried samidha twigs, dry coconut (*Kopara*), and sacred Ahutis are offered into the blazing fire with recitations of the Durga Saptashati. Simultaneously, households conduct Kanya Pujan (कुमारिका पूजन): nine young prepubescent girls (representing the nine forms of Durga) and one young boy (representing Batuk Bhairava) are invited into the home. Their feet are lovingly washed in brass basins with rose water, sanctified kumkum and chandan are applied to their foreheads, and they are served a traditional feast of black chickpeas (Kala Chana), fluffy puris, sweet Suji halwa, and crisp banana chips, accompanied by gifts of red bangles, ribbon, and coins.

The ultimate peak of Durga Ashtami is Sandhi Puja (संधि पूजा) — the precise 48-minute astronomical juncture connecting the final 24 minutes of Ashtami tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami tithi, believed to be the exact cosmic moment when Goddess Chamunda appeared.

History: The history and sacred scriptures of Durga Ashtami record profound cosmic triumphs and Maratha royal traditions:

1. Manifestation of Mahagauri: Legend recounts that Parvati performed severe penance in the Himalayas to win Lord Shiva. Over centuries of austerity, her body was blackened by dust, frost, and ash. Pleased by her devotion, Lord Shiva bathed her in the celestial waters of the holy Ganga, cleansing her into a dazzling, pearl-white maiden hailed as Mahagauri (The Radiant White Goddess).

2. The Slaying of Chanda and Munda: During the climax of the cosmic battle, the demon generals Chanda and Munda attacked Mother Durga. From her knitted brow of divine fury emerged Goddess Kali (Chamunda), who severed their heads at twilight on Ashtami-Navami junction, earning eternal veneration.

3. Maratha Fort Chandi Homa: Historical records from the court of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj document that state-sponsored Navachandi and Shatachandi Havans were conducted at Pratapgad, Sinhagad, and Sajjangad on Durga Ashtami to safeguard the Maratha soldiers and ensure victory in righteous warfare.

Significance: The observance of Durga Ashtami carries immense spiritual, psychological, and social value:

Sandhi Puja Cosmic Window: This rare 48-minute transition is considered the most spiritually potent time for meditation, mantra chanting, and breaking through past negative karmic obstacles.
Kanya Pujan Feminine Reverence: Honoring young girls as living embodiments of the Divine Mother reinforces social respect and protection for female dignity in family and society.
Havan Environmental Purification: Offering havan samagri (camphor, guggul, cow ghee, dried neem and bilva leaves) purifies indoor air and dispels seasonal airborne microbes during the post-monsoon autumn transition.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Early morning bath, drawing Ashtadal lotus rangoli designs before the altar with rice flour and kumkum.

Performing Mahagauri Shodashopachara Pujan with white fragrant flowers (Mogra, Jasmine) and white silk cloth.

Navachandi / Durga Homa: Offering 108 Ahutis of ghee, black sesame, kheer, and dry fruits into the sacred fire while reciting Durga Suktam.

Conducting Kanya Pujan: Washing the feet of nine young girls, offering Haldi-Kumkum, draping red scarves, and feeding them prasad.

Observing Sandhi Puja during the exact astronomical crossover of Ashtami and Navami with 108 lit earthen lamps (Pantis) and continuous Durga Saptashati chanting.

Breaking the strict day-long fast after sunset with sattvic prasad.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Kala Chana Masala (tender black chickpeas sautéed with cumin, coriander, ginger, green chillies, and amchur)

Suji Ka Halwa / Sheera (semolina roasted in cow ghee and simmered with cardamom and dry fruits)

Crispy puffed golden Puris

Puran Poli and Katachi Amti for the family feast

Sweet Makhana Kheer and fresh pomegranate seeds