When are Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami 2024? Date, puja timings, vidhi, significance—all you need to know

Filled with rituals, prayers, and cultural vibrancy, the festival marks the victory of good over evil, with Goddess Durga defeating the buffalo demon Mahishasura, in addition to celebrating Goddess Durga’s homecoming to her maternal home, the mortal realm.

These two days are significant in the Hindu festival, which honours the divine feminine energy embodied by Goddess Durga. Here’s all you need to know.

Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami 2024: Date and Timings

The auspicious Hindu festival is marked in the Hindu month of Ashwin, which often falls between September and October on the Gregorian calendar.

The nine-day Shardiya, also known as Shrad Navratri, occurs in the lunar month of Ashwin during Sharad Ritu, and it concludes on the tenth day with Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.

In 2024, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami will both be celebrated on the same day, i.e. Friday, October 11.

The auspicious timings for the day, as per Drik Panchang, are mentioned below:

Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami):

• • Date: Friday, October 11, 2024
  • Ashtami Tithi Begins: 12:31 PM on Oct 10, 2024
  • Ashtami Tithi Ends: 12:06 PM on Oct 11, 2024

Maha Navami:

• • Date: Friday, October 11, 2024
  • Navami Tithi Begins: 12:06 PM on Oct 11, 2024
  • Navami Tithi Ends: 10:58 AM on Oct 12, 2024

Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami 2024: Rituals and Significance

Maha Durgaashtami or Maha Ashtami, is the second and last day of Durga Puja, a significant ritual that begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja, involving nine small pots with nine Shaktis of Durga, worshipping all nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Young unmarried girls, known as Kumari Puja, are also worshipped on Maha Ashtami, which is preferred on a single day. The Sandhi Puja, the holy juncture between the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi, is considered the most auspicious time during the entire Durga Puja.

It is customary to perform Balidan, or animal sacrifice, with symbolic Bali with vegetables like banana, cucumber, or pumpkin. Brahmins, however, are prohibited from animal sacrifice, and the Belur Math in West Bengal performs symbolic Bali with banana during Sandhi Puja.

Maha Navami, is the third and last day of Navratri and Durga Puja, beginning with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja, with Goddess Durga being worshipped as Mahisasuramardini, meaning the Annihilator of the Buffalo Demon.

It is believed that Durga killed the demon Mahishasura on this day. Upavas may be done on Ashtami Tithi, depending on the previous day’s Navami Tithi starting time. Durga Balidan is performed on Uday Vyapini Navami Tithi, with Aparahna Kaal being the most appropriate time. Navami Homa is a significant ritual during Durga Puja.

Colour of the day: Each day of Navratri is associated with a distinct colour that has symbolic significance. On this day, worshipping Navdurga wearing purple bestows devotees with opulence and richness, as the colour signifies luxury, grandeur and nobility.