Monthly Durga Ashtami is an important date in Hinduism dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga. Every month, on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha, the monthly Durgashtami is observed. On this day, devotees worship Maa Durga in rituals and wish for happiness, peace, power and prosperity.
Monthly Durgashtami is also known as Durgashtami or Monthly Ashtami in many places. Among all the monthly Durgashtamis in the year, Chaitra Shukla Ashtami and Ashwin Shukla Ashtami are considered to have special religious significance, as they are associated with Chaitra and Sharadi Navratri respectively.
When is Monthly Durgashtami celebrated?
To know the exact date of monthly Durga Ashtami, one should check the start and end time of Ashtami Tithi according to the local Hindu calendar.
Religious significance of monthly Durgashtami
Maa Durga is considered to be the goddess of strength, courage, protection and destruction of negative forces. Worship of Goddess on monthly Durga Ashtami increases the devotee's confidence and devotion.
According to religious beliefs, worship of Goddess Durga on this day gives the devotee the grace of Goddess and strength to face difficult situations in life are.
Procedure for the Monthly Durga Ashtami Fast
On the day of Monthly Durgashtami, devotees observe a fast according to their faith and ability. The fast can be done in the form of waterless, fruit or sattvic food.
Preparing for the morning
Get up early in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Clean the place of worship and install the idol or picture of Maa Durga.
Then light lamps and incense and meditate on Maa Durga.
Worship of Maa Durga
The following materials can be offered to Maa Durga in worship: or Kumkum
Sindur
Incense and Lamp
Offerings
Fruit
Coconut
Chunri
Red Clothes
Offering flowers to Mother with devotion, Durga Mantra, Durga Chalisa, Durga Kavach or Durga Saptashati can be recited.
Durga Mantra
A simple mantra of Maa Durga can be chanted on monthly Durga Ashtami:
Om Dum Durgaayai Namah.
Devotees can chant this mantra according to their faith Read?
Many stotras and recitations are done for worshiping the goddess on this day. These include:
Durga Chalisa
Durga Kavach
Durga Saptashati
Argala Stotra
Keelak Stotra
Devi Sukta
Siddha Kunjika Stotra
Mantra of Maa Durga
If time is limited, you can also meditate on Maa Durga with devotion and chant the simple mantra “Om Dum Durgaayai Namah”. Usually, fruits, milk, yogurt, makhana, sago, sattvic dishes made from kuttu or singhare flour are taken during the fast.
However, the diet of the fast may vary according to the health status of the person and family tradition. So keep the fast according to your ability and tradition.
Kanya Pujan on Monthly Durgashtami
The tradition of Kanya Pujan on Durgashtami is more prevalent, especially on the eighth and ninth days of Navratri. Some devotees also follow the tradition of feeding the girls on the monthly Durgashtami and giving gifts according to their faith to get the blessings of the goddess.
What to do on the monthly Durgashtami?
The following religious activities can be done on this day: Burn.
Offer red flowers to Maa Durga.
Recite Durga Mantra.
Recite Durga Chalisa or Durga Kavach.
Keep fasting according to your faith
Do Aarti of Maa Durga in the evening.
What should not be done on monthly Durgashtami?
According to religious beliefs, one should try to remain Sattvic with mind, words and deeds on the day of worshiping Goddess. Avoidance of anger, deceit and unnecessary disputes is considered auspicious.
The person keeping the fast should follow the rules of the fast according to his religious tradition.
Benefits of Monthly Durga Ashtami
Its major spiritual benefits are believed to be:
Increased sense of self-confidence and courage
Gives peace and positivity to the mind.
Strengthens faith and devotion to Goddess.
Inspires to face difficult situations.
Helps to stay away from negative thoughts.
To wish happiness and peace in the family The goddess is worshipped.
These benefits should be understood as religious and spiritual beliefs.
Difference between monthly Durgashtami and Ashtami of Navratri
Monthly Durgashtami falls on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha every month, while Ashtami of Navratri comes during the special Navratri festival is.
The eighth day of Chaita Navratri is Durga Ashtami and the eighth day of Sharadi Navratri is also given special importance as Mahashtami/Durgashtami. Therefore, the monthly Durgashtami and the eighth day of Navratri, which comes every month, should not be considered as the same date. But to find the right Puja Muhurt for a particular year and city, one should look at the Suryodaya, Ashtami Tithi and Puja Muhurt given in the local calendar. If a devotee has taken a special resolution and fasted for several consecutive months, the Udyapan ritual can be performed according to his family tradition or the instructions of a qualified Acharya is.
Which goddess is worshiped on the monthly Durgashtami?
Maa Durga and her various forms are mainly worshiped on this day.
Is it necessary to observe the fast of monthly Durgashtami?
It is not compulsory to observe the fast. Devotees can observe fasts or only worship Goddess according to their faith, health and ability.
Which mantra should be recited on monthly Durgashtami?
Simple mantra of Maa Durga “Om Dum Durgaayai Namah.” Can be chanted with devotion Are you?
Yes, Durga Chalisa can be recited to worship Maa Durga on monthly Durgashtami.
Can I recite Durga Kavach on monthly Durgashtami?
Yes, Durga Kavach is recited in the tradition of worshiping Goddess. It can be recited with devotion.
What is the difference between Masik Durga Ashtami and Durga Ashtami?
Masik Durga Ashtami comes on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha every month, while the Ashtami during Navratri is specifically called Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami Shakti is a special opportunity to worship every month. On this day, devotees remember Goddess Maa by observing fasts, worship, chanting mantras, reciting Durga Chalisa, Durga Kavach and other devi stotras.
Jai Mata Di.
Upcoming Masik Durgashtami dates
- 19 September 2026, Saturday
- 19 October 2026, Monday
- 17 November 2026, Tuesday