When is Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami in 2025? 

Navratri is one of the most auspicious and widely celebrated Hindu festivals, devoted to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine divine forms. The eighth (Ashtami) and ninth (Navami) days hold special significance: Durga Ashtami (also called Maha Ashtami) is when many perform Sandhi Puja and Kanya Puja, and Maha Navami marks the final major puja before Vijayadashami or Dussehra. Here’s a detailed guide for 2025’s Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami, along with rituals, timings, and how to participate in online navratri puja / navratri pooja / durga navratri puja / navarathri poojan.

Key Dates and Tithi: Durga Ashtami & Maha Navami 2025

Festival DayDate in 2025Tithi StartsTithi EndsDurga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami)Tuesday, 30 September 2025Ashtami Tithi begins on Monday, 29 September 2025 at ~4:31 PM ISTAshtami Tithi ends 30 September 2025 at ~6:06 PM ISTSandhi Kaal (Ashtami-Navami junction)Evening of 30 September~5:42 PM to ~6:30 PM IST (New Delhi) — this is the transitional period when Sandhi Puja is performed. — Maha NavamiWednesday, 1 October 2025Navami Tithi begins 30 September 2025 at ~2:02 PM ISTEnds 1 October 2025 at ~3:16 PM IST

Full Navratri 2025 Schedule (Shardiya Navratri) — Key Days

To put Ashtami and Navami in proper context, here are some of the important days around them:

• Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana / Pratipada): Monday, 22 September 2025

• Day-by-day Devi forms, colours and puja progress through the nine days.

• Durga Ashtami (Day 8) → 30 September 2025

• Maha Navami (Day 9) → 1 October 2025

• Ends with Vijayadashami / Dussehra, on 2 October 2025

Significance & Rituals

Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami)

• This is one of the most powerful days of Navratri / Durga Puja. Devotees perform Sandhi Puja at the exact junction when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami begins — this moment is considered deeply auspicious for seeking blessings.

• Kanya Puja/Kanya Pujan is often done on Ashtami (or on Navami or both), where young girls representing the Goddess are worshipped, their feet washed, offered food, gifts etc.

• Many devotees fast, recite Durga stotras/mantras, offer flowers, fruits, sweets in durga navratri puja / navratri pooja.

Maha Navami

• On Maha Navami, devotees often perform Ayudha Puja (worship of tools, weapons, instruments, vehicles etc.), recognising the divine power behind action and tools.

• The Navami Homa, special fire rituals, are done in many temples and homes.

• Preparations for Vijayadashami, farewell to Goddess Durga, final offerings.

How to Do Online Navratri Puja / Navratri Pooja / Durga Navratri Puja / Navarathri Poojan

Given that many devotees may not be able to visit temples, here’s how to perform puja from home or via online setups:

1. Set up a clean altar with an image or idol of Goddess Durga, along with lamps (diyas), incense, flowers, fruit, sweets, water etc.

2. Know the muhurat/timing for Ashtami, Sandhi Puja, Navami etc. Do your puja as per local time.

3. If joining an online navratri puja / live stream, ensure you have the schedule, links, and necessary items in advance. Many pandals, temples or organizations stream their puja, especially for Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami.

4. Chant mantras or recite stotras dedicated to Navadurga. Use Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya passages, if known.

5. If observing Kanya Puja, invite young girls, offer them food, new clothes or gifts, wash their feet, apply tilak etc.

6. After puja, distribute prasad to family or share virtually if online.

7. Keep day clean, avoid negative behaviour, maintain devotion — these are believed to multiply the merits of the puja.

Timing Highlights for 2025 (New Delhi / General Indian Standard Time)

• Durga Ashtami Tithi: begins ~ 4:31 PM IST on 29 September; ends ~ 6:06 PM IST on 30 September.

• Sandhi Puja Window (Ashtami → Navami junction): ~ 5:42 PM to 6:30 PM IST (New Delhi) on 30 September.

• Navami Tithi: begins ~ 2:02 PM IST on 30 September; ends ~ 3:16 PM IST on 1 October.

• Best time for Maha Navami Puja is early morning to mid-afternoon of 1 October.

Summary

• Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) in 2025 falls on 30 September, with Ashtami tithi from late afternoon of 29 September to evening of 30 September.

• Maha Navami follows on 1 October 2025, with Navami tithi from mid-afternoon of 30 September to mid-afternoon of 1 October.

• Both days are central to durga navratri puja / navarathri pooja, especially for performing Sandhi Puja, Kanya Puja, Ayudha Puja, and other rituals.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is the difference between Durga Ashtami and Maha Ashtami?
A: They are essentially the same. “Durga Ashtami” refers to the eighth day (Ashtami Tithi) of Navratri dedicated to Goddess Durga. “Maha Ashtami” is another name emphasizing its great (maha) importance.

Q2: Why is Sandhi Puja important and when should it be performed?
A: Sandhi Puja is the ritual performed at the exact juncture when Ashtami ends and Navami begins. In 2025, this Sandhi period is in the evening of 30 September (around 5:42–6:30 PM IST in New Delhi). It is believed that performing puja during Sandhi yields special blessings.

Q3: Can one do Navratri puja / durga navratri puja / navarathri poojan online?
A: Yes. Many temples and organizations provide livestreams of the rituals. You can follow along from home, prepare the required items (lamp, incense, flowers, prasad), have the necessary mantras or stotras, and participate with devotion. The timing should follow your local puja schedule.

Q4: What are the best puja timings for Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami in 2025?
A: For most of India (using IST):

• Ashtami Tithi begins ~ 4:31 PM IST on 29 September, ends ~ 6:06 PM on 30 September.

• Sandhi Puja window ~ 5:42–6:30 PM IST on 30 September (for New Delhi).

• Navami Tithi begins ~ 2:02 PM IST on 30 September, ends ~ 3:16 PM IST on 1 October.

Q5: What rituals are done specifically on Maha Navami?
A: Key rituals include Navami Homa, Ayudha Puja (worship of tools/weapons/instruments), final offerings to Goddess Durga, and preparations for Vijayadashami. Devotees may break fasts, conduct special evening aartis, and distribute prasad.

Q6: Which deities of Goddess Durga are worshipped on Ashtami and Navami?
A: On Ashtami, various forms (one of the Navadurga) appropriate to that day are worshipped, sometimes with extra focus on Mahagauri. On Navami, the next form in sequence is honoured. Each day has a specific form, colour, and attributes.

Q7: Is there any special dress-colour or customs to follow during these days in 2025?
A: Yes. Each day of Navratri has an associated colour. For Ashtami (day 8) and Navami (day 9), specific colours are suggested. For example, in many Navratri 2025 schedules, day-8 (Ashtami) colour is Pink and day-9 (Navami) is often another specific colour.

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