Ashtami or Navami in 2026 Both Fall On The Same Day. Most Homes Will Do Kanya Pujan At The Wrong Time

Every year people ask one question in the last days of navratri. Should we do kanya pujan on ashtami or on navami?

This year the question is bigger on the calendar Ashtami and Navami both come on 19 October 2026. So many people are confused some will call the girls too late. Some will not be ready on time. If you are still not sure about Ashtami and Navami read our Navratri 2026 guide. It will clear your confusion.

Do not worry this page gives you the date the time and the full method in easy words.

Quick Answer (Read This First)

What Should You Do (Pick Your Case)

These times are from the new delhi panchang tithi time is the same all over India only the sunrise time changes a little.

Why Do Both Days Come On 19 October?

A Hindu date is called a tithi. A tithi does not start at 12 midnight like a normal date it can start at 8:27 in the morning and end at 10:51 the next morning.

This year ashtami starts on 18 october at 8:27 AM. It ends on 19 october at 10:51 AM. Navami starts at the same time 10:51 AM on 19 october. It ends on 20 october at 12:50 PM.

So on 19 october the sun rises and ashtami is still on then at 10:51 AM ashtami ends and navami starts that is why both days show on the same date.

Why Will Many Homes Get The Time Wrong?

Wrong here does not mean a big sin. It means people miss the right time these are the common reasons.

• They see only the date. They plan the pujan for the evening but ashtami ends at 10:51 am.
• They think ashtami is on 18 october. The tithi starts that day but at sunrise on 18 october it is still Saptami.
• They follow a WhatsApp message. Nobody check the time.
• They forget the family custom. Some family do it only on ashtami some only on navami.
• They forget it is Monday. Many children go to school talk to the parents early.

Ashtami and Navami What Is The Difference?

Ashtami is the eighth day of Navratri. We worship Maa Mahagauri most people do Kanya Pujan on this day.

Navami is the ninth and last day. We worship Maa Siddhidatri many people do havan and end their fast on this day.

Both days are good. You are only choosing the day that fits your family.

Why Do We Do Kanya Pujan?

In Hindu belief a small girl is seen as a form of Maa Durga in Navratri we worship nine forms of the goddess so we call small girls home. We wash their feet feed them and take their blessings. It is a way to show respect to the goddess.

What Is Sandhi Puja?

When ashtami ends and navami starts the small time in between is called Sandhi. It is about 48 minutes long in 2026 it is from 10:27 AM to 11:15 AM on 19 october.

It is very big in bengal and in durga puja pandals at home it is not a must.

What To Keep Ready

Keep everything ready one day before. You will not have time in the morning.

• For the puja: a clean thali roli or kumkum whole rice, flowers, diya, incense and camphor
• For washing feet: lukewarm water and a soft towel
• For the girls: clean mats and a red chunri or red thread
• For the food: halwa, puri, black chana, small cut fruits clean plates and glasses
• For the gifts: one gift for each girl and some money in a small envelope

What To Cook

The old and simple food is halwa puri and black chana.

• Halwa: Make sooji halwa in pure ghee.
• Puri: Make it soft and fresh do not make it too oily.
• Black chana: Boil it and add a little masala.

Cook without onion and garlic keep the food mild because small children do not like spicy food. Serve it warm not very hot.

First offer the food to maa durga then serve the girls ask the parents if the child has any food allergy.

Which Girls To Call?

Call girls between 2 and 10 years we do not usually call a baby of one year.

Nine girls is the usual number for the nine forms of the goddess many families also call one small boy. He is seen as Langur. If you cannot find nine five or seven is fine.

How To Do Kanya Pujan (Step By Step)

1. Pray first. Light a diya and do a short puja at home.
2. Welcome the girls. Greet them with a smile.
3. Wash their feet. Use lukewarm water dry with a soft towel.
4. Make them sit on clean mats.
5. Put a tilak of roli or kumkum add a few grains of rice.
6. Tie a red thread on the wrist or give a red chunri.
7. Offer flowers and do a short aarti.
8. Serve the food with love do not hurry them.
9. Give the gift and money with both hands.
10. Take blessings. Touch their feet then you can break your fast.

The whole pujan takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

What To Give The Girls

Give something small safe and useful. Good gifts are a chunri, bangles, hair clips, story books, pens a pencil box or a water bottle and. A small red bandhani chunri is the most loved gift for kanya pujan. You can find simple and light ones at KCPC Bandhani.

For small children do not give glass or very tiny things they can break or go in the mouth give the same gift to every girl so no child feels left out.

You can give any amount of money give what you can love matters more than the amount.

A Simple Plan For Ashtami Morning

• 18 October: Cook pack the gifts and talk to the parents fix a time.
• 19 October 7:30 to 8:00 am: The girls come start the pujan.
• By 10:00 AM: Food and gifts are done.
• Before 10:51 AM: Everything is complete.

If the children have school ask if the girls can come before school or choose navami on 20 otober morning.

Do's and Don't

Do:

• Call the girls and the parents one or two days early.
• Keep clean water ready.
• Pack extra food for the girls to take home.

Don't:

• Do not force a child to eat.
• Do not make the girls wait for a long time.
• Do not post their photos online without the parents saying yes.

Conclusion 

The dates look hard this year but the plan is easy remember three things ashtami ends at 10:51 AM on 19 october. Navami starts at the same time follow your family custom.

Keep your things ready one day before treat the girls with love and respect.

Maa Durga does not look at the clock. She looks at your heart a small and true kanya pujan is better than a big and confused one.

From all of us at KCPC Bandhani, Jai Mata Di.

FAQs

1. Are Ashtami and Navami on the same day in 2026?
Ans. Yes on the calendar both are on 19 october ashtami ends at 10:51 AM and navami starts then navami goes on till 12:50 pm on 20 October.

2. What is the best time for kanya pujan on ashtami?
Ans. The morning of 19 October after sunrise and before 10:51 AM start early so you are not in a hurry.

3. When should I do Kanya Pujan on Navami?
Ans. You can do it on 19 october after 10:51 AM or on 20 october before 12:50 PM. Ask your pandit which one your family follows.

4. How many girls should I call?
Ans. Call nine girls between 2 and 10 years. You can call one small boy too if you cannot find nine five or seven is fine.

5. What should I cook for Kanya Pujan?
Ans. Cook halwa, puri and black chana do not use onion and garlic keep the food mild and warm.

6. What gifts can I give the girls?
Ans. Give a chunri, bangles, hair clips, books or pens. You can add some money avoid glass and tiny things for small children.

7. Can I do Kanya Pujan on both days?
Ans. You can but it is not needed one good pujan is enough.

8. When are Sandhi Puja and Dussehra in 2026?
Ans. Sandhi puja is from 10:27 AM to 11:15 AM on 19 october. Dussehra is on Tuesday 20 october 2026.