Navratri 2026

Navratri 2026 (Sharad Navratri) begins on Monday, September 21, 2026 and ends on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 (Navami).

Navratri (नवरात्रि) means "nine nights." It is the most important festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms (Navadurga). Sharad Navratri — observed in the autumn month of Ashvin — is the most widely celebrated of the four annual Navratris.

Dates: All 9 Nights

| Day | Date | Navratri Night | Goddess Form | Color | |-----|------|----------------|--------------|-------| | 1 | Sep 21 (Mon) | Pratipada — Ghatasthapana | Shailputri | Grey | | 2 | Sep 22 (Tue) | Dwitiya | Brahmacharini | Orange | | 3 | Sep 23 (Wed) | Tritiya | Chandraghanta | White | | 4 | Sep 24 (Thu) | Chaturthi | Kushmanda | Red | | 5 | Sep 25 (Fri) | Panchami | Skandamata | Royal Blue | | 6 | Sep 26 (Sat) | Shashthi | Katyayani | Yellow | | 7 | Sep 27 (Sun) | Saptami | Kalaratri | Green | | 8 | Sep 28 (Mon) | Ashtami — Durga Ashtami | Mahagauri | Peacock Green | | 9 | Sep 29 (Tue) | Navami — Maha Navami | Siddhidatri | Purple |

Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami): October 20, 2026 — follows Navratri after a gap in 2026.

Ghatasthapana Muhurta 2026

Ghatasthapana (घटस्थापना) — the ritual installation of the sacred pot (Kalash) — must be performed on the first day of Navratri during an auspicious muhurta. It marks the formal beginning of the festival.

Ghatasthapana is performed:

In the Pratipada tithi — during the first lunar day of Ashvin Shukla
During the first one-third of the day (Abhijit muhurta preferred when available)
Avoid Chitra nakshatra if possible; Hasta nakshatra is especially favorable

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The Nine Forms of Durga (Navadurga)

1. Shailputri — Day 1

Meaning: Daughter of the mountains (Shail = mountain, Putri = daughter). Form: Seated on a bull (Nandi), holding a trident and lotus. Significance: The most fundamental form of Shakti — the power that sustains existence itself. Shailputri represents Sati reborn as Parvati, daughter of Himavan (king of the Himalayas). Color: Grey — the color of boundless sky and infinite possibilities.

2. Brahmacharini — Day 2

Meaning: One who practices celibate spiritual austerities. Form: Barefoot, holding a rosary (japmala) and kamandal (water pot). Significance: Parvati in her form performing tapas (austerities) to win Shiva as husband. Represents perseverance, devotion, and self-discipline. Color: Orange — energy, auspiciousness, and renunciation.

3. Chandraghanta — Day 3

Meaning: One who bears the crescent moon (Chandra) in the shape of a bell (ghanta). Form: Ten-armed, seated on a tiger, bearing weapons and a crescent on her forehead. Significance: The warrior form of Parvati that appeared when she prepared for marriage with Shiva. Removes fear, grants bravery. Color: White — serenity, purity, and peace.

4. Kushmanda — Day 4

Meaning: The Cosmic Egg (Brahmanda) creator. Form: Eight-armed, riding a lion, holding a Kamandal and rosary. Significance: She created the universe with her smile when the cosmos was nothing but darkness. The source of cosmic energy. Color: Red — strength and action.

5. Skandamata — Day 5

Meaning: Mother of Skanda (Kartikeya, the war god). Form: Four-armed, holds baby Kartikeya in her lap, seated on a lion. Significance: Represents maternal love and fierce protectiveness. Devotees who worship her receive wisdom and liberation. Color: Royal Blue — depth and stability.

6. Katyayani — Day 6

Meaning: Born to the sage Katyayana as his daughter. Form: Four-armed, riding a lion, holding sword and lotus. Significance: The fierce warrior goddess who slew the demon Mahishasura. She fulfills wishes, especially the desire for marriage (Gopis worshipped Katyayani to marry Krishna). Color: Yellow — optimism and brightness.

7. Kalaratri — Day 7

Meaning: The dark night (Kala = dark/time, Ratri = night). Form: Dark complexion, disheveled hair, rides a donkey. Her fearsome appearance destroys evil and grants fearlessness. Significance: The most fierce form of Durga. Worshipping her removes all obstacles, fears, and negative energies. Color: Green — balance, harmony, new beginnings.

8. Mahagauri — Day 8 (Ashtami)

Meaning: The extremely fair one (Maha = great, Gauri = fair/bright). Form: Four-armed, rides a white bull, dressed in white. Significance: Parvati in her pure, radiant form after bathing in the Ganges. She cleanses devotees' past sins and grants peace. Color: Peacock Green — elegance and grace.

9. Siddhidatri — Day 9 (Maha Navami)

Meaning: The bestower of siddhis (supernatural powers). Form: Four-armed, seated on a lotus, holding mace, discuss, lotus, and conch. Significance: She grants all eight siddhis (Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishtva, Vasitva). Shiva himself received siddhis from her worship. Color: Purple — wisdom and spiritual knowledge.

Fasting Rules (Navratri Vrat)

Navratri fasting is one of the most widely observed Hindu fasts. Millions observe a full or partial fast across all nine days.

What Is Allowed (Vrat Foods)

Fruits — all fresh fruits
Dairy — milk, curd (yogurt), paneer, ghee
Nuts and seeds — makhana (fox nuts), peanuts, almonds, cashews
Sendha namak — rock salt only (not regular iodized salt)
Flours: Kuttu (buckwheat) flour, singhara (water chestnut) flour, rajgira (amaranth) flour
Sabudana (tapioca/sago) — sabudana khichdi, sabudana vada
Potatoes and sweet potatoes

What Is Not Allowed

Regular grains: rice, wheat, ragi, cornflour, semolina
Regular salt (iodized)
Onion and garlic
Non-vegetarian food
Lentils and legumes (exceptions vary by region)

Who Typically Fasts

Many devotees fast on Day 1 and Day 8 (Ashtami) as a minimum
Full nine-day fast observed by the devout
Children and elders may do a modified fast (one light meal)
Breaking the fast (parana) is done on Navami or Dashami after Kanya puja

Kanya Puja (Kanjak)

On Ashtami or Navami, young girls (kanya) are invited home, their feet washed, and they are worshipped as forms of the Goddess. They receive food (puri, halwa, chana), clothes, and gifts. The fast is broken after Kanya puja.

Navratri Garba & Dandiya Raas

Garba

A circular folk dance from Gujarat, performed around a lamp or an image of the Goddess. The word garba comes from garbha (womb) — the Goddess as the source of life.

How it's performed:

Participants move in concentric circles (representing the cycle of time)
Clapping in rhythmic patterns
Women traditionally wear chaniya choli; men wear kediya (embroidered top)
Performed on all nine nights, building in intensity toward Navami

Dandiya Raas

A stick dance (dandiya = stick) originating from Gujarat, associated with Krishna's Raas Leela but now performed as part of Navratri celebrations. Pairs strike each other's sticks in rhythm. More energetic and festive than Garba.

Navratri in Gujarat and diaspora communities worldwide has evolved into massive events drawing tens of thousands. The city of Vadodara has claimed the Guinness World Record for the world's largest Garba.

Navratri by Region

North India

Durga Puja pandals are set up in neighborhoods. Ramleela (theatrical re-enactment of the Ramayana) is performed during the nine nights, culminating in Ravana dahan on Dussehra. Fasting is widespread.

Bengal & Odisha — Durga Puja

In Bengal, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja — focusing on Days 7, 8, 9, and 10 (Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dashami). Elaborately sculpted clay idols of Durga slaying Mahishasura are installed in pandals. Dashami (Vijaya Dashami) sees processions and idol immersion (visarjan) in rivers.

Gujarat & Maharashtra

Home of Garba. Nine nights of dancing at community grounds, temples, and stadiums. The most festive regional Navratri celebration.

South India

Golu (Kolu) — A stepped display of dolls and figurines representing the cosmos, gods, and humans. Families display elaborate Golu arrangements and invite neighbors to view them. Saraswati puja is observed on Ashtami/Navami, with books, instruments, and tools placed before the Goddess.

Maha Navami & Ayudha Puja

Maha Navami (September 29) is the ninth and final night of Navratri — the culmination of the Goddess's power before her victory.

Ayudha Puja (especially observed in South India and by Kshatriya communities) is performed on Navami — weapons, tools, vehicles, and instruments of work are cleaned, decorated with flowers, and worshipped. Mechanics worship their tools; farmers worship their implements; musicians worship their instruments.

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