Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri of Assu, the autumn nine nights. In Punjab it is the morning of Kanjakan: the little girls of the lane are called in, their feet are washed, a red thread is tied on their wrists, and they are served puri, sooji halwa and black chana and sent off with a coin and a scarf. The nine-day fast ends after they have eaten.
The story
The girls are worshipped as the goddess herself. They do the rounds of the whole neighbourhood, collecting plates and coins at each door.
In Amritsar the Navratri is the time of the Langoor Mela at the Bara Hanuman temple, when small boys dressed as red langurs, with silver tinsel and maces, dance before the god in fulfilment of their parents' vow.
How it is kept
- Kanjak pujanThe feeding of the girls, on Ashtami or Naumi by family custom.
- JagrataThe all-night singing of the Mother's bhents.
- KhetriThe barley sown on the first day is now tall.
- RamlilaPerformed each night on a stage in the maidan.
Why this date
Durga Ashtami is the Ashtami of the bright fortnight of Assu (Ashwin), on the day it is present at sunrise.
Durga Ashtami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Thursday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Sunday | |
| 2030 | Friday | |
| 2031 | Thursday |
More Punjabi festivals
8 OctoberMaha Naumiਮਹਾਂ ਨੌਮੀ
9 OctoberDussehraਦੁਸਹਿਰਾ
3 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiਗਣੇਸ਼ ਚਤੁਰਥੀ
24 AugustJanam Ashtamiਜਨਮ ਅਸ਼ਟਮੀ
17 AugustRakhriਰੱਖੜੀ
18 OctoberKarwa Chauthਕਰਵਾ ਚੌਥ
Where to see Durga Ashtami
In Punjab
- Durgiana Temple, AmritsarPunjabThe Navratri fair and the Langoor Mela.
- Devi Talab Mandir, JalandharPunjabThe Shakti Peeth of Punjab, beside its old tank.
- Kali Devi Temple, PatialaPunjabThe temple of the Patiala kings, crowded for the nine days.
Across India
- Naina DeviHimachal PradeshThe hill shrine most visited from Punjab.
- Vaishno Devi, KatraJammu and KashmirThe cave shrine in the Trikuta hills.
- KolkataWest BengalThe eighth day is the height of Bengal's Durga Puja.