Masik Durgashtami Dates 2026

Masik Durgashtami

What is Masik Durgashtami?

Masik Durgashtami is the monthly fast for Goddess Durga on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Shukla Paksha. Devotees keep the fast through the day and worship the Goddess with red flowers, sindoor, a ghee lamp and recitation of the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa, praying for strength, protection and the removal of difficulties.

The Durgashtami of Ashwina Shukla Paksha, during Sharad Navratri, is Maha Durgashtami, the most important of the year, when Kanya Puja is performed in many homes.

Which day is it kept?

Masik Durgashtami is kept on the day Shukla Ashtami prevails at sunrise. When Ashtami covers no sunrise at all, it is kept on the day Ashtami begins. The dates on this page are for your location, as the sunrise and the tithi's times depend on it.

How the fast is kept

The fast runs from sunrise. Many devotees eat once after the evening puja, taking fruit, milk or a sattvic meal without grains; others keep a stricter fast. The day ends with Durga aarti and the distribution of prasad.