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In Sanatan Hindu culture, the festival of Shardiya Navratri (Shardiya Navratri 2026) is considered the biggest symbol of faith, purity and energy. For these nine days the entire country remains immersed in the devotion of Mother Durga. During these holy days of Navratri, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped, but among them, the date of Maha Ashtami and Mahanavami has its own special and supreme place. This year, there was a lot of confusion in the minds of devotees across the country regarding the date of Maha Ashtami and the time of Kanya Puja, because many questions were being raised regarding the change of dates and the time of Udaya. According to astrological calculations and Panchang, Kanya Puja has special significance on the day of Maha Ashtami, but this time due to the shadow of Rahukaal and limited time, devotees need to be very careful. Let us know in detail what is the right time to worship Kanya on Maha Ashtami, when to avoid Rahukaal and what is the best way to please Goddess Mahagauri.
What is the exact date of Maha Ashtami and why is there confusion?
According to Hindu calendar and Vedic calculations, Ashtami Tithi of Shardiya Navratri this year October 18th at 08:27 am starting from October 19 at 10:51 am Has been valid till now. Udaya Tithi has great importance in Sanatan Dharma, according to which the festival of Maha Ashtami was celebrated on 19 October and along with the worship of Mata Mahagauri, the ritual of Kanya Puja was also performed on the same day.
Since Ashtami Tithi was ending on October 19 at 10:51 am, devotees were left with very limited and less time for Kanya Puja. In such a situation, it was very important that the devotees avoid any kind of mistake and complete the worship of the Mother Goddess at the right time.
Best and auspicious time for girl worship on Maha Ashtami
For those who worship girls on Ashtami Tithi, there were many auspicious and auspicious times on 19th October. According to astrology, worshiping at these special moments brings immense blessings of Goddess Durga:
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wee hours: From 04:52 am to 05:40 am (this time is considered best for sadhana and meditation).
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Amrit Kaal: From 07:28 am to 09:16 am.
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Abhijeet Muhurat: From 11:43 am to 12:34 pm.
Since Ashtami Tithi had ended at 10:51 am, people who had to perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami day itself, took full advantage of Amrit Kaal and other auspicious times of the morning. Along with this, while doing any auspicious work according to astrology, Rahu Kaal Special care should be taken, because the work done during this inauspicious period does not yield full results. On this day, the time from 07:50 am to 09:15 am was of Rahukaal, hence learned pundits had advised to avoid worshiping girls during this period.
Why is the tradition of worshiping girls on the day of Maha Ashtami?
According to religious beliefs and Puranas, the worship of Goddess Durga during the nine days of Navratri is not considered complete unless Kanya Puja is performed on the day of Maha Ashtami or Mahanavami. In Hindu religion, girls between the age of 2 to 10 years are considered to be the living form of Mother Mother i.e. Adishakti, the mother of the world.
These little girls are welcomed and felicitated considering them to be the direct symbols of the nine different forms (kumaris) of Maa Durga. The feet of the girls are washed, they are applied a tilak of kumkum and akshat on their forehead, and with full devotion they are offered satvik food—which mainly consists of semolina halwa, puri and black gram prasad. After this they are sent off with gifts, fruits and Dakshina. It is believed that by doing this, Mother Mahagauri becomes very happy and never leaves any shortage of food and money in the house of the devotees.
The calm and stunning form of Maa Mahagauri brings peace in life.
On the day of Maha Ashtami, mainly the eighth form of Goddess Durga is worshiped. Maa Mahagauri Is worshipped. Mother Mahagauri’s complexion is completely bright and white like camphor, she wears white clothes and sits on a Vrishabha (bull). He has four arms, which are decorated with Trishul, Damru and Var-Abhaya Mudra.
According to mythology, Mother Parvati attained Gaur Varna by doing rigorous penance, after which she came to be known as Mahagauri. By worshiping him, all the sins of the devotees are washed away, the restlessness of the mind ends and mental peace and stability prevail in life. On the day of Maha Ashtami, the devotees who performed Maa Puja and Kanya Bhoj as per the rituals, following all the rules of Rahukaal and time limit, have attained happiness, prosperity and health with the blessings of Mata Rani.