Durga Puja 2025: When Is Durga Ashtami - September 29 Or 30? Puja Vidhi And Significance

Durga Ashtami 2025 Date And Time: Durga Ashtami, the eighth day of Navratri, is considered one of the most significant days during the nine-day festival. Also called Maha Ashtami, it is celebrated with great fervour across India, especially in Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Bihar. Maha Ashtami begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja, which is very much similar to Maha Saptami Puja except for Prana Pratishtha.

Devotees on this day observe a fast, offer special prayers, perform different customs and traditions, and seek Goddess Mahagauri’s blessings, who represents the divine feminine power.

Read below to learn about the date, shubh muhurat, puja vidhi and significance of Durga

Ashtami.

Durga Ashtami 2025: Date

This year, the Durga Ashtami falls on Tuesday, September 30. It is the eighth day of Navratri, devoted to worshipping Goddess Mahagauri. The legendary Sandhi Puja also falls on Maha Ashtami.

Durga Ashtami 2025: Shubh Muhurat

The Ashwin Shukla Ashtami Tithi begins at 04:31 PM on September 29 and ends at 06:06 PM on September 30. Devotees dedicate this time for auspicious celebrations and prayers of Goddess Durga.

Durga Ashtami 2025: Puja Vidhi

To worship Goddess Durga on the eighth day of Navratri, follow these simple steps:

1. Snan and Sankalp: Begin the day with a holy bath, wear clean clothes, and take a vow (sankalp) to worship the Goddess with purity.
2. Prepare the Altar: Purify the idol of Maa Durga, dress her in traditional garments and place the idol on a red or yellow cloth.
3. Decorate the place: Draw a simple rangoli and decorate with flowers and lamps.
4. Kalash Sthapana and Invocation: According to Drik Panchang, nine small pots are installed in the name of Goddess Durga and worshipped on Durga Ashtami.
5. Offerings: Apply a tilak using kumkum or roli, light incense sticks and lamps, and offer flowers, fruits, and sweets.
6. Kanya Puja: Invite nine young girls, wash their feet, serve them food, and offer them gifts and blessings.
7. Mantra Japa and Aarti: Chant Durga Saptashati verses, Durga mantras, Stuti and Stotra and perform aarti with devotion.
8. Bhog and Prasad: Offer bhog of your choice and Panchamrit to the Goddess. Then, distribute the prasad among family, staff, or devotees.

Durga Ashtami 2025: Significance

The eighth day of Navratri, also known as Mahashtami, holds great significance in Hindu culture. Devotees celebrate this day by performing elaborate pujas and seeking blessings for progress, protection, prosperity, fortune and good health.

It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga killed the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, marking the triumph of good over evil. Worshipping her brings peace, strength, courage and prosperity, protecting from malicious forces and obstacles in life. Her blessings are thought to provide comfort and abundance to those who honour her.