Dates for Masik Durgashtami in 2026

In 2026, Masik Durgashtami will be observed on different days each month. The specific dates, based on the Hindu lunar calendar, are as follows: January 26, February 24, March 26, April 24, May 23, June 22, July 21, August 20, September 19, October 19, November 17, and December 17. Each of these dates corresponds to the Ashtami tithi, which may commence the evening prior and conclude the following day.

Timings for Observance

Timing for each Masik Durgashtami is dictated by the Ashtami tithi. For example, in March 2026, the Ashtami tithi begins on March 25 and ends on March 26. Similarly, April 2026’s Ashtami will start on April 23 and conclude on April 24. Devotees generally observe the fast on the day the Ashtami tithi occurs at sunrise.

Purpose of the Vrat

The fast is observed primarily for the purpose of seeking blessings from Goddess Durga. Devotees look to the ritual for various benefits, including strength, protection, the removal of obstacles, and peace of mind. Many practitioners believe that regular fasting on this day brings increased stability and positive energy into their lives.

Observing the Vrat

Observing the vrat is straightforward and is commonly practiced across many households. Devotees typically begin with a complete day of fasting, during which they offer a variety of items, such as flowers, fruits, and sweets, to Goddess Durga. Recitation of the Durga Chalisa or other prayers is also a significant part of the observance. While many devotees prefer to visit temples, some may choose to remain home. The fast is often broken after evening prayers, marking a satisfying conclusion to the day’s observance.

Connecting with Goddess Durga

Masik Durgashtami in 2026 presents an opportunity each month for devotees to deepen their connection with Goddess Durga. With fixed dates throughout the year, planning for fasting and prayers becomes more manageable. Adhering to the correct tithi timings is crucial to ensuring that the ritual is observed accurately and completely.

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Key Dates for Skanda Sashti 2026

Skanda Sashti is marked every month. The key dates in 2026 are as follows: January 23 (Friday), February 22 (Sunday), March 23 (Monday), April 21 (Tuesday), May 20 (Wednesday, which is also Adhika Skanda Sashti), June 19 (Friday), July 18 (Saturday), August 17 (Monday), September 16 (Wednesday), October 15 (Thursday), November 14 (Saturday, known as Soora Samharam), and December 14 (Monday, referred to as Subrahmanya Sashti). Each of these dates holds significance for worship and prayer.

Profile of Lord Skanda

Lord Skanda is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is worshipped under various names, including Murugan, Kartikeya, and Subramanya. In South Indian traditions, he is often considered the younger sibling of Lord Ganesha, whereas, in some North Indian perspectives, he is viewed as the elder brother. He is recognized as the deity of war and victory, embodying attributes such as courage and strength.

Importance of Skanda Sashti

Skanda Sashti holds deep spiritual significance for devotees, who seek blessings for courage, success, and protection from harmful influences on this day. Observing the vrata is believed to help individuals overcome obstacles in their lives and instill discipline. The occasion is further associated with triumph over evil. A particularly well-known Skanda Sashti is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aippasi, featuring the Soora Samharam, which commemorates Lord Murugan’s victory over the demon Surapadman.

Fasting and Rituals Associated with Skanda Sashti

On Skanda Sashti, numerous devotees fast throughout the day. Common practices associated with this observance include visiting temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, chanting mantras such as “Om Skandaya Namah,” and offering fruits and flowers. Devotees also light lamps (depam) and may read or listen to the Skanda Sashti Katha. It is noteworthy that the day when Sashti Tithi coincides with Panchami is often particularly chosen for the observance of this vrata.

Widespread Practice of Skanda Sashti

This vrata enjoys particular popularity in Tamil Nadu and various other regions in South India. It is recognized as a day for cultivating inner strength and focus. Many younger adherents perform this vrata in hopes of achieving success in their academic and professional pursuits, along with fostering overall well-being.

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Festive Practices and Rituals

The commencement of Chaitra Navratri in 2026 is marked by the ritual known as Ghatasthapana, or Kalash Sthapana. This ceremony symbolically inaugurates the nine-day festivities. Observed during the Hindu month of Chaitra, which typically falls in March or April, the festival culminates on Ram Navami, a day that celebrates the birth of Lord Ram. Throughout these nine days, devotees adhere to fasting protocols, engage in daily prayers, and frequent temples dedicated to the goddess. Many households take part in decorating their homes and preparing special offerings intended for Goddess Durga.

Symbolism of the Palanquin Arrival

According to Hindu tradition, it is believed that Goddess Durga descends to Earth each year using different vehicles, which symbolize various societal outcomes. For the Chaitra Navratri festival in 2026, the goddess will be perceived as arriving on a palanquin. This belief is grounded in traditional astrological interpretations associated with the day’s observations. The arrival on a palanquin is often seen as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant and sustain harmony within their communities. Devotees interpret this as an encouragement for heightened devotion and prayer during the festival, contributing to the rich tapestry of regional beliefs that vary yet collectively enhance the observance of Navratri.

Religious Significance of Chaitra Navratri

The Chaitra Navratri festival holds profound religious significance within Hindu culture. The nine days are specifically devoted to venerating Durga and her nine divine incarnations, each symbolizing aspects such as strength, wisdom, and protection. Devotees undertake fasting, recite prayers, and perform various rituals in the hope of receiving blessings for their health, prosperity, and peace of mind. Numerous temples host special ceremonies and devotional events throughout the duration of the festival. It also represents the triumph of good over evil, aligning with the ethos of divine feminine power within the Hindu belief system.

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga Observed During Navratri

During the nine days of Durga Navratri, each day is dedicated to a distinct avatar of the goddess. These include Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Each form is honored with specific rituals and prayers on its corresponding day. Devotees engage in these practices to deepen their spiritual connection and pay homage to the various aspects of the goddess.

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Popular Dishes for Navratri

Among the most cherished fasting meals during Navratri is sabudana khichdi. This dish features soaked tapioca pearls enhanced with peanuts, potatoes, and gentle spices, offering both satisfaction and nourishment. Sabudana is known for its quick energy release, while the addition of peanuts contributes healthy fats and protein, making it an ideal choice for fasting.

Another favored dish is kuttu puri, made from buckwheat flour, typically served with a simple potato curry. This combination provides a comforting and hearty meal. Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free and rich in fiber, contributing to a feeling of fullness that lasts longer during fasting times.

For those with a sweet tooth, makhana kheer is a delightful dessert option permissible during fasting. Known also as fox nuts or lotus seeds, makhana is cooked in milk along with sugar and cardamom to create a creamy treat. The dish is light, nutritious, and effectively addresses sweet cravings that may arise during the fasting period.

Samak rice, or barnyard millet, is another staple consumed during Navratri. Often prepared as a simple pulao combined with potatoes, peanuts, and subtle spices, this dish is not only easy on the stomach but also provides sustained energy throughout the day, making it suitable for fasting.

Fruit chaat stands out as one of the simplest and healthiest options available during Navratri fasting. This dish consists of a combination of seasonal fruits such as apples, bananas, pomegranate, and papaya, which are rich in natural sugars, fiber, and essential vitamins. A sprinkle of rock salt adds a flavorful touch while keeping the dish appropriate for fasting.

Nutritional Benefits of Fasting

The practice of fasting during Navratri serves not only as a spiritual journey but also as an opportunity to re-evaluate dietary habits by focusing on lighter, more wholesome food choices. By opting for nutritious and vrat-friendly recipes, devotees can remain energetic and committed to their fasting practices while honoring the festival.

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A Sacred Hilltop Legacy

Believed to date back as far as 625 BC and widely regarded as the oldest functional temple in India, Maa Mundeshwari Temple sits on a lone hill surrounded by forests. Built in an octagonal structure, rare in Hindu temple design, the shrine is dedicated to both Goddess Durga (Mundeshwari) and Lord Shiva, worshipped here in his unique four-faced (Chaturmukha) lingam form. This dual worship symbolizes a spiritual balance of feminine and masculine energies.

Unique Ritual: Bloodless Goat Sacrifice

One of the most distinctive aspects of the temple’s worship is the bloodless goat sacrifice, practiced when devotees’ wishes are fulfilled. Instead of actual slaughter, the goat is presented before the deity, faints momentarily after hymns and rituals are performed, and is later revived with offerings of rice and flowers. Priests and devotees believe this symbolizes the Goddess accepting the offering without the need for violence.

Massive Influx During Navratri

The Sharadiya Navratri Mela sees lakhs of devotees, primarily from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, ascending the 600-foot hill to seek blessings. On the sixth day of Navratri alone, over 80,000 pilgrims had already visited by noon, with numbers expected to cross one lakh by evening. Police personnel, scouts, and volunteers were deployed for crowd management, along with provisions for drinking water and shade.

Devotees like Dilip Singh and Raghuwansh Jaiswal, visiting from Mirzapur, shared that they had prayed for their son’s job during the last Navratri. With the wish fulfilled, they returned this year to offer thanks. Similar stories were echoed by others performing ritual tonsures and fulfilling vows.

Centuries of Continuous Worship

Despite weathering centuries of invasions and neglect, the temple has never ceased to function. Even during British surveys in the 1800s, it stood intact, an enduring symbol of faith. Ongoing conservation efforts maintain the structure, but the real preservation lies in the unbroken devotion of the people.

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ज्वाला देवी के स्थान पर सती की जीभ गिरी, और तभी से यह जगह शक्तिपीठ के रूप में प्रतिष्ठित हुई। कहा जाता है कि इसी कारण यहां की अखंड ज्योति बिना तेल, घी या बाती के स्वयं प्रज्वलित रहती है। यह ज्योति आज भी भक्तों के लिए विश्वास और आस्था का प्रतीक है।

मंदिर का इतिहास और निर्माण

माना जाता है कि इस मंदिर का मूल निर्माण राजा भूमि चंद ने कराया था। बाद में पांडवों द्वारा इसका पुनर्निर्माण किया गया। मंदिर की वर्तमान संरचना कई बार मरम्मत और नवीनीकरण के बाद बनी है। मुगल सम्राट अकबर ने भी मंदिर का दौरा किया और आग बुझाने का प्रयास किया, लेकिन असफल रहे। इसके बाद उन्होंने देवी को स्वर्ण छत्र अर्पित किया।

अखंड ज्योति का रहस्य

मंदिर में नौ प्राकृतिक ज्वालाऐं चट्टानों से निकलती हैं। वैज्ञानिक भी इनके स्रोत का पता नहीं लगा पाए हैं। ये ज्वालाऐं देवी की दिव्य उपस्थिति और शक्ति का प्रतीक मानी जाती हैं। भक्त मानते हैं कि यह अग्नि देवी का असली चमत्कार है।

मंदिर की संरचना

मंदिर में चारों कोनों पर छोटे गुंबद और बीच में बड़ा गुंबद है। गर्भगृह के केंद्र में पत्थर की चट्टान है, जिससे ज्वालाऐं निकलती हैं। चारों ओर प्राचीन किलेनुमा दीवार मंदिर की सुरक्षा करती है। मंदिर में मुख्य रूप से नौ ज्योतियां जलती हैं, जिन्हें विभिन्न देवी-देवताओं के रूप में पूजा जाता है।

महाकाली
महामाया अन्नपूर्णा
चंडी माता
हिंगलाज भवानी

नवरात्रि में विशेष महत्व

नवरात्रि में मंदिर विशेष रूप से सजता है और भक्तों की भारी भीड़ उमड़ती है। इस दौरान मंदिर में विशेष अनुष्ठान और आरतियां आयोजित की जाती हैं। विशेष रूप से अष्टमी के दिन मंदिर में विशेष पूजा होती है। मकर संक्रांति के दिन देवी के पिंडी रूप पर घी चढ़ाने की परंपरा है। इन ज्योतियों की पूजा से भक्तों की मनोकामनाऐं पूर्ण होती हैं और आत्मिक शांति मिलती है।

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Garba in Navratri 2025: बढ़ सकता है तनाव

नवरात्र के दौरान महाराष्ट्र समेत देशभर में बड़े पैमाने पर गरबा और डांडिया का आयोजन होता है, जिसमें सभी धर्मों के लोग शामिल होते हैं। ऐसे में तोगड़िया का यह बयान धार्मिक सौहार्द और सामाजिक माहौल पर असर डाल सकता है। स्थानीय स्तर पर यह विवाद प्रशासन और आयोजकों के लिए चुनौती साबित हो सकता है।

प्रशासन की प्रतिक्रिया का इंतज़ार

फिलहाल इस मामले पर पुलिस और प्रशासन की कोई आधिकारिक प्रतिक्रिया सामने नहीं आई है। लेकिन गरबा आयोजकों और सामाजिक संगठनों ने लोगों से संयम बनाए रखने की अपील की है।

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Navratri Fasting Tips: नवरात्रि का पर्व सिर्फ धार्मिक आस्था से ही नहीं, बल्कि शरीर और मन को शुद्ध करने से भी जुड़ा होता है। इस दौरान कई लोग पूरे नौ दिनों तक उपवास रखते हैं। लेकिन अक्सर व्रत के दौरान खान-पान में की गई छोटी-सी गलती भी बड़ी स्वास्थ्य समस्या का कारण बन जाती है। अगर आप चाहते हैं कि व्रत के दिनों में कमजोरी, थकान और एसिडिटी जैसी परेशानियां न हों, तो आपको अपनी डाइट और दिनचर्या में कुछ बातों का खास ध्यान रखना होगा।

Navratri Fasting Tips: व्रत के दौरान क्यों होती है कमजोरी?

Navratri Fast रखने वाले लोग अक्सर पर्याप्त पोषण नहीं ले पाते। शरीर को प्रोटीन, फाइबर, आयरन और कैल्शियम जैसे जरूरी पोषक तत्व नहीं मिलते, जिससे थकान, चक्कर आना और कमजोरी महसूस होती है। कई बार हड्डियों में दर्द और पाचन संबंधी समस्याएं भी सामने आती हैं।

इस तरह करें व्रत की शुरुआत

डॉक्टरों के अनुसार दिन की शुरुआत गर्म पानी और कड़ी पत्ते से करना फायदेमंद रहता है। इसके बाद नाश्ते में हल्के फल और मेवे जरूर शामिल करें। दिन भर में बार-बार थोड़ी-थोड़ी मात्रा में हल्का भोजन करना शरीर के लिए बेहतर होता है। रात का खाना भी हल्का और संतुलित होना चाहिए।

इन चीजों को जरूर शामिल करें

प्रोटीन और फाइबर – मूंगफली, बादाम, अखरोट और फल व्रत में बेहतरीन विकल्प हैं।

आयरन और कैल्शियम – दूध, पनीर और मखाना शरीर को ऊर्जा देते हैं।

फल और सब्जियां – मौसमी फल और सेंधा नमक से बनी सब्जियां जरूरी पोषण देती हैं।

उपवास के दौरान आम गलतियां

व्रत रखने वाले कई लोग कुछ आदतों के कारण सेहत पर बोझ डाल लेते हैं। जैसे – भूखे रहने के बाद अचानक तला-भुना खाना खा लेना। पानी कम पीना, जिससे डिहाइड्रेशन हो जाता है। खाली पेट दही खाना, जिससे एसिडिटी बढ़ जाती है। नींद पूरी न करना, जिससे रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता घट जाती है।

Navratri Fasting Tips: सेहत और श्रद्धा का रखें संतुलन

Navratri Fast Kaise Kare, यह सवाल हर साल लाखों श्रद्धालु पूछते हैं। उपवास का असली उद्देश्य संयम और शुद्धता है। इसलिए इस दौरान खान-पान ऐसा होना चाहिए जो शरीर को ऊर्जा भी दे और पाचन पर बोझ भी न डाले। अगर आप ऊपर बताए गए टिप्स को फॉलो करेंगे, तो पूरे नौ दिनों तक बिना कमजोरी के आसानी से व्रत रख सकेंगे और सेहत भी बरकरार रहेगी।

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What happened at Oxford?

During her speech at the Oxford University, Banerjee had to face some protest from the students. They questioned Banerjee on issues like RG Kar rape and murder case, Singur and recent Jadavpur University issue where West Bengal Education minister Bratya Basu’s convoy allegedly ran over a student.

Some audiences were seen to show protest with placards and also questioned on her stance in communal issues. Banerjee said on RG Kar issue, “Do you know that this case is pending? The responsibility of investigating this case is now in the hands of the Central government, the case is no longer in our hands.” She further added, “Don’t disrespect your institution by insulting me. I have come here as a representative of the country. Don’t insult your country.”

Mamata Banerjee at Red Road

Banerjee on Monday reached at Red Road, Kolkata where like every year Eid was celebrating. She said at the manch, “Don’t be trapped into provocations, Didi is with you, whole government is with you,”

She further stated that divisive politics would not be tolerated in Bengal, reaffirming her commitment to every community. “What do they want? Divide and rule? We don’t want that. My life is dedicated to the country, and I stand for all religions, castes, communities. If you stand together, I will stand with you,” she said.

Will greet onNavratri as well: CM

She said, she greeted on Eid, she will also greet on Navratri as well. She said, “We are secular. Navratri is going on. I extend my best wishes for that as well, but we do not want anyone to create chaos…Common people do not create chaos, but political parties do that. This is a matter of shame. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for all religions…The duty of the majority is to protect the minority, and the duty of the minority is to stay with the majority…”

She said that, she came early from Britain because of Eid. “I can be there for another two days. But I know, I will have to present here. So, I returned early.”

Without naming BJP, she said, “provocation are being made by a political party but don’t be trapped into provocations. Didi is with you and whole government is with you. They will try to make riots. Don’t be trapped.”

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