Durgashtami, also known as Mahashtami or Virashtami, is the most important day in Durga Navratri and Durga Puja. Durgashtami 2009 date is September 26. On this day, Kumari Puja and Suhasini Puja are performed. In Bengal, Sandhi Puja is observed at the conjunction Durgashtami and Maha Navami days.

Durgashtami 2009 is very significant as it falls on Moola Nakshatram day. Moola Nakshatram arrives at 3.59 in the evening on 25^th September (Maha Saptami) and moves on at 6’o clock in the evening on 26^th September (Durgashtami). As Moola Nakshtram is the birth star of the Mother Goddess, this Navratri Puja is most auspicious as per Hindu beliefs. According to Jyotish, it may mark some good results for Hindus and Hindu religion. In 2010, Moola Nakshatram will be coinciding with Maha Sashti or Durga Shashti. On this day Durga Puja 2010 will start in Bengal.

On Durgashtami, Bathukamma Panduga, the biggest traditional festival, is celebrated in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. On Moola Nakshtram day, Goddess Kanaka Durga is decorated and worshipped in Maha Saraswati Devi alankaram. For Saraswati Puja, Moola Nakshatram is the main aspect. On this day, Saraswati Puja starts all over India.

In Basara Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple, Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh, Aksharabhyasam, also known as Vidyarambham is the main event on Moola Nakshtra yuktha Saraswati Puja.