Ashtami Kab Hai 2026: Durga Ashtami / Maha Ashtami Date

Durga Ashtami 2026, also called Maha Ashtami, falls on Monday, 19 October 2026, during Sharadiya Navratri. The Ashtami Tithi begins at 8:27 AM on 18 October 2026 and ends at 10:51 AM on 19 October 2026. The auspicious Sandhi Puja muhurat falls on 19 October 2026 from approximately 10:27 AM to 11:15 AM. Banks in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and several other states observe closures during the Durga Puja and Navratri cluster in October.

When Is Ashtami? Complete Navratri 2026 Calendar

Date | Day | Navratri Day | Goddess Worshipped
11 October 2026 | Sunday | Sharad Navratri Begins (Pratipada) | Shailputri
12 October 2026 | Monday | Dwitiya | Brahmacharini
13 October 2026 | Tuesday | Tritiya | Chandraghanta
14 October 2026 | Wednesday | Chaturthi | Kushmanda
15 October 2026 | Thursday | Panchami | Skandamata
16 October 2026 | Friday | Shashthi / Durga Puja begins | Katyayani
17 October 2026 | Saturday | Saptami | Kalaratri
18 October 2026 | Sunday | Ashtami Tithi begins (8:27 AM) | Mahagauri
19 October 2026 | Monday | Maha Ashtami / Durga Ashtami | Mahagauri (main day)
19 October 2026 | Monday | Maha Navami (overlaps, Navami Tithi after 10:51 AM) | Siddhidatri
20 October 2026 | Tuesday | Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra | —

What Is Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami)?

Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of Navratri and is considered the most powerful and sacred day of the nine-night festival. Goddess Durga in her form of Mahagauri is worshipped, representing purity, peace, and the fulfilment of wishes. The legendary Sandhi Puja, performed at the exact juncture of Ashtami and Navami Tithi (10:27 AM to 11:15 AM on 19 October 2026), is the most auspicious ritual of the entire Durga Puja. This is also the day of Kanya Puja (Kumari Puja), where young girls are worshipped as living forms of Goddess Durga and offered prasad of halwa, puri, and chana. In 2026, Maha Ashtami falling on a Monday holds special significance as Monday is Lord Shiva's day, the husband of Goddess Mahagauri.

Is Durga Ashtami a Bank Holiday in 2026?

Date | Day | Holiday | Bank Closure Status
18 October 2026 | Sunday | Ashtami Tithi begins | Weekly off (no separate closure)
19 October 2026 | Monday | Maha Ashtami (Durga Ashtami) | Bank holiday in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam; check state notifications for other states

In West Bengal and Jharkhand, the Durga Puja holiday cluster (Maha Saptami through Vijaya Dashami) results in consecutive bank closures, making it the most significant multi-day banking pause in those states.

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What Works and What Doesn't on Maha Ashtami Bank Holiday

Service | Available on Maha Ashtami?
UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM) | Yes, 24/7
IMPS transfers | Yes, 24/7
NEFT transfers | Yes, 24/7
ATM withdrawals | Yes, 24/7
Mobile and internet banking | Yes
RTGS transfers | No, resumes next working day
Branch services | No, branch closed (in states observing the holiday)
NACH EMI auto-debit | Processed on next working day if due date falls on Ashtami

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