Ashtami
Also called Masik Durgashtami, Kalashtami, Masik Ashtami
When
Saturday, 19 September 2026 in 9 days
New Delhi ยท change location
at sunrise. This observance is governed by udaya, not by the sunrise tithi โ which is why the tithi named here is often not the one the festival is named for.
See the complete panchang for that day โ
Governed by udaya
Why this date?
The eighth tithi of each paksha, so it comes round twice a lunar month โ and the two halves are not the same observance. The Shukla Paksha Ashtami is Masik Durgashtami, kept for Durga. The Krishna Paksha Ashtami is Kalashtami, kept for Kala Bhairava. This site names each row for the paksha it falls in rather than showing a bare 'Ashtami', because a reader looking for one is not looking for the other.
- Computed by the panchanga engine for your location
- Follows a written selection rule, not a copied list
- The governing period is stated, and the rule is applied to it
- The written guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar
Dates come from the calculation engine and are independent of the written guide. How we calculate โ
Dates in the coming years
- Saturday, 19 September 2026 in 9 days
- Monday, 19 October 2026 in 39 days
- Monday, 2 November 2026 in 53 days
- Tuesday, 17 November 2026 in 68 days
- Tuesday, 1 December 2026 in 82 days
- Thursday, 17 December 2026 in 98 days
- Thursday, 31 December 2026 in 112 days
- Saturday, 16 January 2027 in 128 days
Published to 2030. Later years appear as the dataset is extended and validated.
What In short
The monthly Ashtami observances. Masik Durgashtami in the bright fortnight is the household's monthly Durga observance and the monthly echo of Maha Ashtami in Navaratri. Kalashtami in the dark fortnight belongs to Bhairava and is kept in the night.
- Deity: Durga (Shukla Paksha); Kala Bhairava (Krishna Paksha)
- Recurs: twice monthly
Why The reason behind it
Ashtami is the tithi of the Devi in the bright half and of Bhairava in the dark half. The pairing is not a coincidence of the calendar: Bhairava is Shiva's fierce guardian form and the Devi's, and the dark-fortnight Ashtami is when that form is approached.
Traditional basis
Devi Mahatmya and the Durga vrata tradition โ The monthly Durgashtami is the recurring form of the Ashtami that Navaratri's Maha Ashtami culminates.
Bhairava upasana tradition โ Kalashtami, and Kala Bhairava Ashtami in Margashirsha as its annual form, are kept at night rather than at midday.
How At home, step by step
- For Masik Durgashtami: the Devi puja in the morning, with a fast kept to whatever degree the household keeps it.
- For Kalashtami: the observance belongs to the night; Bhairava is worshipped after dark, and in several regions dogs are fed, Bhairava's vahana being one.
- Neither is a demanding fast in its monthly form โ the annual occurrences are kept more strictly.
What you'll need
- A ghee lamp
- Red flowers for the Devi; black sesame for Bhairava
- Kumkum and the household's usual naivedya
Fasting and breaking the fast
A single meal is the usual monthly rule for both, and many households keep neither strictly outside the annual forms.
Fasting guidance here describes traditional practice. It is not medical advice โ if you are pregnant, diabetic, on medication or unwell, ask a doctor about your own circumstances.
Personal In your region
- North India yours
Kalashtami is widely kept where there is a Bhairava temple; the Kashi association is strong. - Bengal (Bengali)
The Ashtami of Durga Puja is the year's most-kept Ashtami; the monthly one is comparatively light. - Maharashtra (Marathi)
Kala Bhairava is a household kuladaivat in many families, which gives Kalashtami more weight than the monthly Durgashtami.
For children
The eighth day after the new moon and the eighth after the full moon. One is for Durga and one is for Bhairava, who is Shiva in his fierce, guarding form โ and whose animal is the dog.
Common questions
- Why does the site sometimes say Masik Durgashtami and sometimes Kalashtami?
- Because they are different observances on the same tithi number in opposite halves of the month. Bright fortnight is Durgashtami; dark fortnight is Kalashtami. Showing both as 'Ashtami' would hide the distinction that matters.
- Is Radha Ashtami or Ahoi Ashtami one of these?
- No. Those are annual observances that happen to fall on an Ashtami, each with its own rule and its own page. The rows here are the recurring monthly ones.
This guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar or practising priest. The dates and times on this page come from the calculation engine and are independent of it; the explanatory text is editorial and may not reflect your family's practice. Tell us if something is wrong.