Overview
- Drik Panchang calculations report the Ashtami tithi beginning at 8:27 AM on October 18 and ending at 10:51 AM on October 19 in Delhi, which makes the lunar day span two calendar dates.
- Because a tithi can cross midnight and sunrise rules differ, some calendars list Maha Ashtami as October 19 while many devotees and local traditions observe rituals on October 18.
- Practical timing guidance for those choosing Ashtami includes a commonly cited Kanya Pujan window on October 18 from about 8:27 AM to 5:49 PM and the Abhijit muhurat around midday as a fallback.
- For the diaspora, Drik Panchang lists Maha Navami on October 19 and Vijayadashami on October 20 for cities such as Washington, Los Angeles and Jersey City, with city-specific tithi cutoffs.
- Large public observances were reported at Durga temples in Kathmandu and political leaders issued festival greetings, and media coverage consistently urges devotees to check a local panchang or temple schedule before performing rites.