During Sharadiya Navaratri, the dates of Ashtami and Navami hold special significance, leading to the observance of the Kanya Puja ritual in homes. However, there has been considerable confusion regarding the date of Ashtami, with some asserting that both dates fall on the same day, while others indicate different dates.
According to the Hindu Panchang, the Ashtami date in the Ashwin Shukla Paksha month will begin on October 18th at 8:27 AM. The conclusion of this date is scheduled for October 19th at 10:51 AM. Following this, the Navami date will commence, lasting until 12:50 PM on October 20th.
Based on astrological calculations, since there will be no rising date on this day (October 18th), performing Kanya Puja on that day is not recommended. Therefore, Kanya Puja for Ashtami and Navami will be conducted simultaneously on October 19th. Various auspicious times are also available on this day for conducting the joint Kanya Puja.
The first auspicious time (Brahma Muhurta) is from 04:52 to 05:40 AM. The second time (Amrita Kal) is available from 07:28 to 09:16 AM. The third time (Abhijit Muhurta) is set for the period between 11:49 AM and 12:34 PM.
Since October 18th falls on Saptami Tithi at sunrise, according to the rising date, Durga Ashtami will be celebrated on October 19th. On the same day, after Ashtami concludes, Navami will begin. Consequently, both festivals will be observed on the same day.
The tradition involves honoring young girls as incarnations of Goddess Durga during Ashtami and Navami. On this day, nine girls aged two to ten years should be invited to one's home to perform the proper worship ritual. One boy is also invited, who is considered an incarnation of Langur or Bhairava. When the girls arrive at the house, they are showered with flowers. Their feet are washed in a tray to receive their blessings.
They are then seated in a suitable place, marked with a tilak, adorned with a kalava, and offered food such as halwa, lentils, and puri. After the meal, there is a tradition of giving them dakshina or gifts. After receiving blessings from the girls, the ritual concludes, and the divine girls are bid farewell with cheers.