Shubh Kaalam
Shubh Kaalam
Masik Durgashtami
Vrat RitualVrat · Fasting
In 15 days on Thursday - August 20, 2026
Masik Durgashtami
The Monthly Day of the Goddess
Shukla Paksha Ashtami (monthly)
Deity
Goddess Durga
Observance
Vrat · Full-day fast
Duration
1 day
Observed
All India
Pooja Muhurat in New Delhi
05:53 AM – 08:29 AM
Pratah Kaal · within the tithi
Ashtami tithi — morning puja preferred, Sandhi Kaal where applicable
Best choghadiya within this window
Shubh 05:53 AM – 07:31 AM
Showing timings for New Delhi (IST), the default city — checking your location for timings that match your own sunrise.
Vrat Parana · breaking the fast
06:56 PM
After sunset, once the evening puja is complete
After the evening puja and Kanya Pujan
Calculated for New Delhi (IST), the default city — checking your location.
About This Day

Monthly fasting on the 8th day of Krishna Paksha dedicated to Goddess Durga for strength and protection.

Masik Durgashtami falls on the Ashtami of Shukla Paksha every lunar month and is dedicated to Goddess Durga in her protective, victorious aspect. It is a monthly echo of Maha Ashtami during Navratri. The Ashtami tithi is ruled by the Goddess herself, and worship on this day is believed to grant courage, remove obstacles created by enemies or ill-wishers, and protect the household — particularly children. Many families that observe Navratri twice a year keep this monthly vrat as a continuing thread of devotion between the two Navratris. Kanya Pujan, the honouring of young girls as living forms of the Goddess, is the emotional centre of the day.

Masik Durga AshtamiDurgashtamiMasa Durgashtami
Regional Names
All India
Masik Durgashtami
Karnataka
Durgashtami
Tamil Nadu
Durgashtami
West Bengal
Durgashtami
Vrat Rules

Some observe a full fast, others a single satvik meal. The fast is broken only after young girls have been fed.

Allowed
·fruits
·milk
·kuttu flour
·singhara flour
·sabudana
·rock salt
·potatoes
Avoided
·grains
·common salt
·onion
·garlic
·non-vegetarian food
·alcohol
Pooja Vidhi , Step by Step
1
Bath and sankalp
Bathe early, wear red or yellow clothes, and take a sankalp to observe the Durgashtami vrat
2
Set the altar
Place an image of Durga on a red cloth facing north-east, with a kalash of water beside it
3
Invocation
Light a ghee lamp and invoke the Goddess, offering akshat, kumkum, red chunri and bangles
4
Offerings
Offer red hibiscus, fruits, and a bhog of halwa, puri and kala chana
5
Path
Recite the Durga Chalisa, Durga Saptashati or at minimum the Navarna mantra
6
Kanya Pujan
Invite young girls, wash their feet, apply tilak, feed them and offer a small gift
7
Aarti and parana
Perform the Durga aarti, distribute prasad, and break the fast
Step-by-step pooja guidance with mantras.
Mantras
Navarna Mantra
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche · 108 chants
Salutations to Chamunda — the Goddess who is knowledge, power and desire
Durga Dhyana Mantra
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते।।
Sarvamangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute · 11 chants
O auspicious one among all that is auspicious, fulfiller of every purpose, refuge of all, three-eyed Gauri — salutations to you, Narayani
Pooja Essentials
Pooja Items
Durga imageRed chunriKumkumAkshatBanglesKalashGhee lampDhoopCoconutRed cloth
Flowers
Red hibiscusMarigoldRed roseLotus
Prasad
HalwaPuriKala chanaCoconutFruitsKheer
Do
·Perform Kanya Pujan and feed young girls
·Wear red or yellow
·Recite Durga Chalisa or Saptashati
·Keep the house and altar scrupulously clean
·Offer red flowers and a red chunri
Avoid
·Do not disrespect or raise your voice at any woman or girl on this day
·Avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic and alcohol
·Do not cut hair or nails
·Do not leave the aarti or Kanya Pujan incomplete
·Avoid arguments within the household
Remedies
·Feed and gift young girls to invoke the Goddess blessing directly
·Offer red chunri and bangles for marital harmony
·Light a ghee lamp before Durga for protection from enemies
·Recite the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa for courage and relief from fear
·Donate red cloth or food on this day
Daan (Donations)
Red clothBanglesFood for young girlsKumkumFruits
Goddess Durga
Masik Durgashtami
The Monthly Day of the Goddess
#Durgashtami#MaaDurga#JaiMataDi#Ashtami#DailyPanchang

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