नवरात्रि (Navratri)

Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and Prokerala. Durga Ashtami falls on 19 October and Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October. The nine days honour the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In 2027, Navratri begins on 30 September.

शारदीय नवरात्रि 2026 नई दिल्ली के लिए रविवार, 11 अक्टूबर को घटस्थापना से शुरू होती है, Drik Panchang और Prokerala के अनुसार। दुर्गा अष्टमी 19 अक्टूबर को और दशहरा मंगलवार, 20 अक्टूबर को है। नौ दिन माँ दुर्गा के नौ रूपों को समर्पित हैं। 2027 में नवरात्रि 30 सितंबर से शुरू होगी।

Sharadiya Navratri 2026 New Delhi ke liye Ravivar, 11 October ko Ghatasthapana se shuru hoti hai, Drik Panchang aur Prokerala ke anusaar. Durga Ashtami 19 October ko aur Dussehra Mangalvar, 20 October ko hai. Nau din Maa Durga ke nau roopon ko samarpit hain. 2027 mein Navratri 30 September se shuru hogi.

When is Navratri?

Sharad (Shardiya) Navratri begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada with Ghatasthapana and runs for nine nights, ending with Dussehra on the tenth day.

शारदीय नवरात्रि आश्विन शुक्ल प्रतिपदा को घटस्थापना से शुरू होकर नौ रातों तक चलती है, और दसवें दिन दशहरे के साथ पूर्ण होती है।

Dates can differ by a day in other places and traditions. For your city, check a local panchang or your temple calendar.

What to read

Puja outline

  1. On the first day, do Ghatasthapana (kalash sthapana) in the muhurat your panchang gives for your city.
    पहले दिन अपने शहर के पंचांग में दिए मुहूर्त में घटस्थापना (कलश स्थापना) करें।
  2. If your family keeps an akhand jyoti, light it at Ghatasthapana and keep it safely tended through the nine days.
    परिवार में अखंड ज्योति की परंपरा हो तो घटस्थापना पर उसे जलाएँ और नौ दिन सुरक्षित रूप से उसकी देखरेख करें।
  3. Each day, worship that day's form of Durga and read one complete text, such as the Navdurga Stuti or Kunjika Stotram.
    हर दिन उस दिन के दुर्गा रूप की पूजा करें और नवदुर्गा स्तुति या कुंजिका स्तोत्र जैसा कोई एक पूर्ण पाठ करें।
  4. Close each day's puja with Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe or your family's aarti.
    हर दिन की पूजा अंबे तू है जगदंबे या अपने परिवार की आरती से पूर्ण करें।
  5. Keep the fast in the way that suits your health; many take fruit and fasting foods rather than a full fast.
    व्रत अपने स्वास्थ्य के अनुसार रखें; कई लोग पूर्ण उपवास के बजाय फल और व्रत का भोजन लेते हैं।
  6. On Ashtami or Navami, many families do Kanya Pujan; break the Navratri fast (parana) as your panchang and family custom direct.
    अष्टमी या नवमी को कई परिवार कन्या पूजन करते हैं; नवरात्रि व्रत का पारण अपने पंचांग और परिवार की रीति के अनुसार करें।

A simple household outline. Customs differ by family, region and tradition; follow your own tradition or priest where it differs.

Samagri for this puja

Practical items for the puja, linked to Valkala product guides.

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Detailed guides

What is Sharad Navratri?

Navratri means nine nights, each dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Drik Panchang calls Sharad (Shardiya) Navratri the most significant of the year's Navratris, also known as Maha Navratri; it falls in Ashwin, in the Sharad season, and culminates on the tenth day with Dussehra (Vijayadashami). Chaitra Navratri, in spring, begins on 7 April 2027.

The nine forms of Durga

The nine days honour Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri, in that order. In 2026, Drik Panchang and Prokerala agree on the days for the first seven, 11 to 17 October, but differ on Mahagauri and Navami, because Drik Panchang lists Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami together on 19 October. Follow your panchang or temple for the last days.

Ghatasthapana, Ashtami and Navami

The worship begins with Ghatasthapana on the first day, in a muhurat that differs by city. Sandhi Puja is done at the junction of Ashtami and Navami, when Goddess Chamunda is believed to have appeared to slay the demons Chanda and Munda. On Maha Navami many observe Ayudha Puja, and in South India the days are also kept as Saraswati Puja. The Government of India's 2026 list gives Maha Ashtami on 19 October and Maha Navami on 20 October.

Colours, fasting and akhand jyoti

Drik Panchang notes that women, especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat, wear a different colour on each of the nine days, set by the weekday. Many families fast, keep an akhand jyoti burning through the nine days and end with Kanya Pujan. Valkala's Navratri guides below cover each of these in detail.

How these dates were checked

The dates are for New Delhi and were checked on 29 September 2026. Ghatasthapana 2026 and 2027 appear on the same day in Drik Panchang and Prokerala. Durga Ashtami 2026 is from Drik Panchang and the Government of India's holiday list, and Dussehra 2026 from Drik Panchang and the same list, with Prokerala's 21 October shown as another date. No clock times are shown.

Frequently asked questions

When does Navratri start in 2026?

Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and Prokerala.

When is Durga Ashtami in 2026?

Monday, 19 October 2026 for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and the Government of India's holiday list. Drik Panchang also lists Maha Navami on 19 October, while the government list gives Maha Navami on 20 October.

When is Dussehra in 2026?

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and the Government of India's holiday list. Prokerala gives 21 October.

When is Navratri in 2027?

Sharad Navratri 2027 begins on Thursday, 30 September, with Durga Ashtami on 7 October and Dussehra on 9 October, for New Delhi. Chaitra Navratri 2027 begins on 7 April.

What should I read during Navratri?

The Navdurga Stuti, Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe, Kunjika Stotram, Devi Kavach, Argala Stotram and Keelak Stotram are complete options on Valkala. Reading one text attentively each day is enough.