Posted by Soultheory Editorial Team
on September 28, 2026
Durga Ashtami 2026 falls on Monday, 19 October 2026, and in most homes this is the day of kanya pujan, when young girls are welcomed as living forms of the Goddess, their feet are washed, and they are fed halwa, puri and black chana before being sent home with a small gift. This year Ashtami and Navami meet on the same day, so the timing needs a little care. This guide from Soultheory covers the tithi timings, the kanya pujan vidhi step by step, the bhog, gift ideas and what to wear.
When is Durga Ashtami and kanya pujan?
Kanya pujan falls on Monday, 19 October, because Ashtami is the tithi at sunrise that morning and Navami begins before noon. Both Ashtami and Navami rituals are therefore kept on the same day, and Vijayadashami follows on Tuesday, 20 October.
| Observance | Day and date | Timing (New Delhi) |
|---|---|---|
| Ashtami tithi begins | Sunday, 18 October | 8:28 am |
| Ashtami tithi ends | Monday, 19 October | 10:52 am |
| Sandhi puja | Monday, 19 October | 10:28 am to 11:16 am |
| Navami tithi | 19 October to 20 October | 10:52 am to about 12:50 pm next day |
| Vijayadashami (Dussehra) | Tuesday, 20 October | Full day |
What is kanya pujan?
Kanya pujan is the worship of young girls as the nine forms of Goddess Durga, the Navadurga. Per Vedic tradition and the Devi Bhagavata Purana, a girl before puberty is traditionally believed to carry the pure form of Shakti, so honouring her is honouring the Goddess herself. In Punjab and Haryana it is called kanjak, and in Bengal the same idea is kept as Kumari Puja during Durga Puja.
Most families invite nine girls, one for each form of the Goddess, usually between two and ten years old. Many also invite one small boy, called the langur or Bhairav, as the guardian who traditionally accompanies the Goddess. If nine girls are not possible, two, five or seven are all accepted, and a single girl welcomed with love is traditionally held to be enough. Girls from any family in the neighbourhood are welcome, and many homes deliberately invite children who would not otherwise get a festive meal.
Kanya pujan vidhi step by step
The whole ritual takes under an hour. Here is the order most North Indian homes follow.
The day before
- Invite the girls and tell their parents the time
- Soak the black chana overnight
- Clean the puja space and the room where the girls will sit
- Keep a steel plate, a lota of water and a clean cloth ready
- Buy red chunris, kalawa (mauli) thread and the gifts
- Keep kumkum, akshat (rice) and a few flowers on a small plate
On the morning of 19 October
- Bathe, wear clean clothes and do your usual Durga puja and aarti first.
- Offer the bhog to the Goddess before anyone eats it.
- Welcome the girls at the door and seat them on a clean asan or mat in a row.
- Wash each girl's feet in a plate with water, and wipe them with a clean cloth.
- Apply a kumkum tilak, sprinkle akshat and tie kalawa on the right wrist.
- Drape a red chunri over each girl's head if that is your family custom.
- Serve the bhog on a plate or banana leaf and let them eat at their own pace.
- Give each girl her gift and dakshina, then touch her feet and seek her blessing.
- See them off at the door with the same respect you welcomed them with.
After the pujan
Most families break the Navratri fast after kanya pujan. If you have kept the nine-day vrat, our Navratri vrat rules guide explains parana and what to eat first. The kalash set up on the first day is usually moved on Vijayadashami, as covered in our kalash sthapana guide.
Kanya pujan bhog: what to cook
The classic kanya pujan bhog is suji halwa, puri and dry black chana, and it is always sattvic.
- Suji halwa made with ghee and sugar
- Puri, fried fresh in the morning
- Dry kala chana with cumin, ginger and a little amchur
- A banana or seasonal fruit
- A small piece of coconut
- Kheer, in some homes, in place of halwa
- Water or a sweet sherbet on the side
Kanya pujan gift ideas
The best kanya pujan gifts are small and useful for a child. Many families give a red chunri with the gift, and some keep the same set for every girl so no one feels left out.
- A pencil box, crayons or a colouring book
- A small storybook
- Glass or lac bangles
- Hair clips and bindis
- A small steel tiffin box or water bottle
- A tiny purse or pouch
- A coin or note as dakshina
Ashtami and Navami on the same day: what changes
When Ashtami and Navami fall together, the day simply carries both rituals. The Mahagauri puja of Ashtami is done in the morning, Sandhi puja is done at the junction of the two tithis, and the Siddhidatri puja and havan of Navami follow. Sandhi puja is traditionally believed to mark the moment the Goddess took the form of Chamunda to defeat the demons Chanda and Munda, and in many Bengali homes 108 lamps and 108 lotuses are offered in that window.
A family that normally does kanya pujan on Navami does not lose its day this year. Do it after the Navami tithi begins at 10:52 am, and keep the havan and Vijayadashami visarjan as usual.
What to wear on Durga Ashtami
Red is the colour most closely associated with the Goddess on Ashtami, and many women wear a red saree or a red chunri for the pujan. Purple is the Navratri colour tied to Mahagauri, and peacock green is the colour for the Navami day, so either works if you follow the colour custom.
For jewellery, the 9 mukhi rudraksha is traditionally associated with Goddess Durga in her nine forms, which makes it a natural bead for this day. Our 9 mukhi rudraksha guide explains how it is traditionally worn. Take off anything that clinks loudly when you bend to wash the girls' feet, and keep the look simple.
Recommended Soultheory bracelets for Durga Ashtami
9 Mukhi Nepali copper rudraksha bracelet
The 9 Mukhi Nepali copper rudraksha bracelet carries the bead most closely tied to Navadurga. It is a quiet piece to start wearing on Ashtami and keep through the rest of the year.
Amethyst bracelet with golden hematite
Purple is the Mahagauri colour, and the amethyst bracelet with golden hematite is traditionally associated with calm and devotion. It is light enough to wear through the pujan and the evening aarti.
Clear quartz sphatik Buddha bracelet
Sphatik is the stone of the japa mala in many homes, and white is the colour of Mahagauri's form. The Clear Quartz Sphatik bracelet suits anyone who does a Durga Saptashati path or a mantra japa on Ashtami.
Rose quartz, amethyst and clear quartz combo
For a mother who wants to mark the day with something gentle, the rose quartz, amethyst and clear quartz combo pairs three soft stones that are traditionally linked to love, calm and clarity.
Browse the full range of rudraksha and spiritual bracelets at Soultheory.
FAQ: Durga Ashtami 2026 and kanya pujan
When is Durga Ashtami in 2026?
Durga Ashtami is on Monday, 19 October, by the sunrise tithi rule. The Ashtami tithi runs from 8:28 am on 18 October to 10:52 am on 19 October, and Navami falls on the same day.
What is the best time for kanya pujan this year?
If your family keeps kanya pujan on Ashtami, finish it on the morning of 19 October before 10:52 am. If you keep it on Navami, do it after 10:52 am the same day.
How many girls should be invited for kanya pujan?
Nine girls are traditional, one for each form of Durga, usually aged two to ten, along with one boy as the langur. Fewer girls are also accepted, and a single girl welcomed sincerely is traditionally held to be enough.
What is served in kanya pujan bhog?
The standard bhog is suji halwa, puri and dry black chana, with fruit and coconut. It is cooked without onion and garlic and offered to the Goddess before the girls eat.
Can I wear rudraksha during kanya pujan?
Yes. Rudraksha can be worn during the pujan, and the 9 mukhi bead is traditionally linked to Goddess Durga. Keep it clean and remove any jewellery that gets in the way while washing the girls' feet.
Important note: Information shared here reflects traditional Vedic beliefs and cultural practices. Individual experiences vary. This content is for educational and cultural purposes only - it is not medical, financial, or psychological advice. Consult qualified professionals for health, financial, or other personal decisions.
