Durga
Durga Ashtami
The eighth night of the Mother
Mahashtami is, for many devotees, the heart of Navratri — the night of the Sandhi Puja, kept at the junction between the eighth and ninth tithis. Fasting is common, and the chanting is longer than on the nights around it.
Add Durga Ashtami to calendar (downloads an .ics file)
A recommended mantra for this sacred day
The same Devi prayer carried through Navratri, returned to on the night the tradition marks as its centre.
Read the Sanskrit and meaning on the Sarva Mangala Mangalye — Devi Prayer page, or explore the full mantra library.
Date shown for New Delhi, India. Observance can differ by location because tithi, sunrise and timezone affect the applicable date — please confirm local temple or pañcāṅga timings if precise observance times matter to your practice.