Ashtami Dates 2026
Ashtami is the 8th lunar day (tithi) in the Hindu calendar, occurring twice every month — once in the Shukla Paksha and once in the Krishna Paksha. It is considered a powerful day associated with Goddess Durga in her fierce forms and Lord Krishna.
The most widely celebrated Ashtami is Janmashtami, falling on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna. Durga Ashtami during Navratri is another highly significant observance. The Masik Durgashtami — the Ashtami of every Shukla Paksha — is observed by devotees of Goddess Durga throughout the year.
The most widely celebrated Ashtami is Janmashtami, falling on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna. Durga Ashtami during Navratri is another highly significant observance. The Masik Durgashtami — the Ashtami of every Shukla Paksha — is observed by devotees of Goddess Durga throughout the year.
All times shown in: Asia/Kolkata
| Date | Begins / Ends | Lunar Month | Paksha | Moon Phase | Moon Position | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Jan-2026 |
Begins: 10-Jan-2026 08:25 AM Saturday
Ends: 11-Jan-2026 10:21 AM Sunday
|
Pausha | Krishna |
|
Virgo 19.6°
Hasta (Pada 3)
|
|
| 25-Jan-2026 |
Begins: 25-Jan-2026 11:11 PM Sunday
Ends: 26-Jan-2026 09:19 PM Monday
|
Magha | Shukla |
|
Aries 5.5°
Ashwini (Pada 2)
|
|
| 09-Feb-2026 |
Begins: 09-Feb-2026 05:02 AM Monday
Ends: 10-Feb-2026 07:28 AM Tuesday
|
Magha | Krishna |
|
Libra 20.0°
Swati (Pada 4)
|
|
| 24-Feb-2026 |
Begins: 24-Feb-2026 07:03 AM Tuesday
Ends: 25-Feb-2026 04:52 AM Wednesday
|
Phalguna | Shukla |
|
Taurus 5.2°
Krittika (Pada 3)
|
|
| 11-Mar-2026 |
Begins: 11-Mar-2026 01:55 AM Wednesday
Ends: 12-Mar-2026 04:20 AM Thursday
|
Phalguna | Krishna |
|
Scorpio 20.0°
Jyeshtha (Pada 2)
|
|
| 25-Mar-2026 |
Begins: 25-Mar-2026 01:51 PM Wednesday
Ends: 26-Mar-2026 11:50 AM Thursday
|
Chaitra | Shukla |
|
Gemini 4.5°
Mrigashira (Pada 4)
|
|
| 09-Apr-2026 |
Begins: 09-Apr-2026 09:20 PM Thursday
Ends: 10-Apr-2026 11:16 PM Friday
|
Chaitra | Krishna |
|
Sagittarius 19.6°
Purva Ashadha (Pada 2)
|
|
| 23-Apr-2026 |
Begins: 23-Apr-2026 08:50 PM Thursday
Ends: 24-Apr-2026 07:22 PM Friday
|
Vaisakha | Shukla |
|
Cancer 3.2°
Punarvasu (Pada 4)
|
|
| 09-May-2026 |
Begins: 09-May-2026 02:04 PM Saturday
Ends: 10-May-2026 03:07 PM Sunday
|
Vaisakha | Krishna |
|
Capricorn 18.5°
Shravana (Pada 3)
|
|
| 23-May-2026 |
Begins: 23-May-2026 05:05 AM Saturday
Ends: 24-May-2026 04:28 AM Sunday
|
Adhika Jyeshtha | Shukla |
|
Leo 1.6°
Magha (Pada 1)
|
|
| 08-Jun-2026 |
Begins: 08-Jun-2026 03:25 AM Monday
Ends: 09-Jun-2026 03:24 AM Tuesday
|
Adhika Jyeshtha | Krishna |
|
Aquarius 16.9°
Shatabhisha (Pada 4)
|
|
| 21-Jun-2026 |
Begins: 21-Jun-2026 03:21 PM Sunday
Ends: 22-Jun-2026 03:41 PM Monday
|
Jyeshtha | Shukla |
|
Leo 29.8°
Uttara Phalguni (Pada 1)
|
|
| 07-Jul-2026 |
Begins: 07-Jul-2026 01:26 PM Tuesday
Ends: 08-Jul-2026 12:22 PM Wednesday
|
Jyeshtha | Krishna |
|
Pisces 15.0°
Uttara Bhadrapada (Pada 4)
|
|
| 21-Jul-2026 |
Begins: 21-Jul-2026 04:03 AM Tuesday
Ends: 22-Jul-2026 05:17 AM Wednesday
|
Ashadha | Shukla |
|
Virgo 28.0°
Chitra (Pada 2)
|
|
| 05-Aug-2026 |
Begins: 05-Aug-2026 08:43 PM Wednesday
Ends: 06-Aug-2026 06:53 PM Thursday
|
Ashadha | Krishna |
|
Aries 13.0°
Ashwini (Pada 4)
|
|
| 19-Aug-2026 |
Begins: 19-Aug-2026 07:20 PM Wednesday
Ends: 20-Aug-2026 09:19 PM Thursday
|
Shravana | Shukla |
|
Libra 26.4°
Vishakha (Pada 2)
|
|
| 04-Sep-2026 |
Begins: 04-Sep-2026 02:26 AM Friday
Ends: 05-Sep-2026 12:14 AM Saturday
|
Shravana | Krishna |
|
Taurus 11.1°
Rohini (Pada 1)
|
|
| 18-Sep-2026 |
Begins: 18-Sep-2026 01:02 PM Friday
Ends: 19-Sep-2026 03:28 PM Saturday
|
Bhadrapada | Shukla |
|
Scorpio 25.2°
Jyeshtha (Pada 3)
|
|
| 03-Oct-2026 |
Begins: 03-Oct-2026 08:00 AM Saturday
Ends: 04-Oct-2026 05:52 AM Sunday
|
Bhadrapada | Krishna |
|
Gemini 9.7°
Ardra (Pada 1)
|
|
| 18-Oct-2026 |
Begins: 18-Oct-2026 08:29 AM Sunday
Ends: 19-Oct-2026 10:53 AM Monday
|
Ashvina | Shukla |
|
Sagittarius 24.5°
Purva Ashadha (Pada 4)
|
|
| 01-Nov-2026 |
Begins: 01-Nov-2026 02:52 PM Sunday
Ends: 02-Nov-2026 01:11 PM Monday
|
Ashvina | Krishna |
|
Cancer 8.7°
Pushya (Pada 2)
|
|
| 17-Nov-2026 |
Begins: 17-Nov-2026 04:20 AM Tuesday
Ends: 18-Nov-2026 06:06 AM Wednesday
|
Kartika | Shukla |
|
Capricorn 24.3°
Dhanishta (Pada 1)
|
|
| 01-Dec-2026 |
Begins: 01-Dec-2026 12:12 AM Tuesday
Ends: 01-Dec-2026 11:14 PM Tuesday
|
Kartika | Krishna |
|
Leo 8.3°
Magha (Pada 3)
|
|
| 16-Dec-2026 |
Begins: 16-Dec-2026 10:46 PM Wednesday
Ends: 17-Dec-2026 11:27 PM Thursday
|
Margashirsha | Shukla |
|
Aquarius 24.5°
Purva Bhadrapada (Pada 2)
|
|
| 30-Dec-2026 |
Begins: 30-Dec-2026 12:37 PM Wednesday
Ends: 31-Dec-2026 12:33 PM Thursday
|
Margashirsha | Krishna |
|
Virgo 8.3°
Uttara Phalguni (Pada 4)
|
|
Ashtami – Significance, Festivals & Rituals
What is Ashtami?
Ashtami is the 8th lunar day (tithi) in the Hindu calendar, occurring twice every month — once in the Shukla Paksha and once in the Krishna Paksha. It is associated with Goddess Durga in her fierce forms and with Lord Krishna.
What is Janmashtami?
Janmashtami falls on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami and marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, observed with midnight pujas, fasting, devotional singing, and Dahi Handi celebrations.
What is Durga Ashtami?
Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga. It is observed with special pujas, havan, and kanya puja. Masik Durgashtami — the Shukla Paksha Ashtami every month — is also observed regularly by Devi devotees.
How is Ashtami observed?
Devotees observe a fast and visit temples. On Janmashtami, the fast is broken at midnight after the birth celebration of Lord Krishna. On Durga Ashtami, Devi puja with red flowers, vermillion, and sweets is the primary observance.