Navratri 2026-2027

Nine nights of Maa Durga bhakti, inner strength and family devotion.

A premium Sanatan guide for Sharad Navratri dates, Navdurga worship, day-wise colours, daily puja vidhi, fasting, Kanya Pujan, Garba traditions and sacred Devi temples.

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Ashwin Shukla Pratipada Navdurga Worship Garba, Vrat & Kanya Pujan

Dates & Tithi

Navratri 2026 and 2027 dates

This guide focuses on Sharad Navratri. Dates can vary by city, sunrise and tithi rules, so confirm Ghatasthapana and Ashtami/Navami timing with a local panchang.

2026

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Sharad Navratri begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada. Dussehra follows on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

2027

Thursday, September 30, 2027

Sharad Navratri begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada. Dussehra follows on Saturday, October 9, 2027.

Meaning

What is Navratri?

Navratri means nine nights. It is a sacred period dedicated to Maa Durga and the many forms of Adi Shakti. Families observe vrat, light the akhand jyot, perform daily aarti and remember the divine feminine as courage, compassion, wisdom and protection.

Sharad Navratri is among the most celebrated Navratris, bringing together Devi puja, Garba, Durga Puja, Kanya Pujan, Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami traditions across India.

Spiritual Significance

Navratri is a journey from inner darkness to Devi grace.

Shakti Upasana

The nine nights honour Maa Durga as the power behind creation, protection and transformation.

Victory of Dharma

The festival reminds devotees that ego, fear and negativity can be overcome through devotion and discipline.

Family Sadhana

Daily aarti, vrat, bhajan and sattvik food turn the home into a sacred space for Devi bhakti.

Nine Nights

Why nine nights are celebrated

Each night deepens the worship of Maa Durga, moving from grounding and tapas to courage, purification and siddhi.

The nine nights are a gradual spiritual discipline. Devotees worship the Navdurga, keep the mind sattvik, perform daily puja and remember that Maa protects the devotee through every stage of life.

In many traditions, the final days include Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, Kanya Pujan and preparations for Vijayadashami, the day of victory and auspicious new beginnings.

Navdurga

The nine forms of Maa Durga

Open each card to read the devotional meaning of the form worshipped during Navratri.

01Maa Shailputri

The daughter of the Himalayas, worshipped on Pratipada as the grounding force of devotion, strength and purity.

02Maa Brahmacharini

The tapaswini form of Maa Durga, representing discipline, devotion, patience and spiritual resolve.

03Maa Chandraghanta

The graceful yet warrior-like form whose crescent bell reminds devotees of courage, alertness and protection.

04Maa Kushmanda

The cosmic mother who is remembered as the creative energy behind the universe and the giver of vitality.

05Maa Skandamata

The mother of Skanda, worshipped as the compassionate form of Devi who blesses families with protection and grace.

06Maa Katyayani

The fierce warrior form of Maa Durga, invoked for courage, righteous action and victory over inner weakness.

07Maa Kalaratri

The powerful form who destroys fear, darkness and negativity, reminding devotees that divine protection is fearless.

08Maa Mahagauri

The radiant and peaceful form of Devi, associated with purity, forgiveness, inner calm and auspicious blessings.

09Maa Siddhidatri

The giver of siddhi and completion, worshipped on Navami as the divine grace that completes the Navratri sadhana.

Day-wise Colours

Nine colours of Navratri devotion

Colour lists may vary by region and yearly weekday tradition. Use this as a devotional planning guide, not a strict rule.

Day 1YellowShailputri

Day 2GreenBrahmacharini

Day 3GreyChandraghanta

Day 4OrangeKushmanda

Day 5WhiteSkandamata

Day 6RedKatyayani

Day 7Royal BlueKalaratri

Day 8PinkMahagauri

Day 9PurpleSiddhidatri

Daily Puja Vidhi

A simple daily Navratri puja flow for families

Follow your family parampara and priest guidance for detailed mantra, kalash and havan vidhi.

Clean the puja space and prepare the Devi altar with red or yellow cloth.
Perform Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana on the first day as per muhurat.
Light diya, offer flowers, kumkum, akshat, incense and naivedya.
Chant Durga mantra, read Durga Chalisa, Devi Kavach or family stotra.
Perform aarti morning and evening with bhajan and sattvik bhav.
Conclude with prasad distribution and prayer for strength, wisdom and protection.

Fasting Guidelines

Keep the vrat with devotion, health and simplicity.

Sattvik Food

Many devotees take fruits, milk, sabudana, kuttu, singhara and vrat-friendly meals.

Discipline

Avoid onion, garlic, grains or tamasic food as guided by family tradition.

Health First

Children, elders, pregnant women and those with health conditions should fast only with care.

Kanya Pujan

Kanya Pujan honours the living presence of Devi.

On Ashtami or Navami, many families worship young girls as forms of Maa Durga, wash their feet, offer tilak, chunari, prasad and dakshina, and seek blessings with humility.

The ritual teaches that Devi is not only worshipped in temples, but honoured in innocence, dignity and respect for feminine divinity.

Garba & Dandiya

Garba celebrates Devi around the light of life.

Garba and Dandiya are joyful devotional traditions, especially in Gujarat and western India. The circular movement around the lamp or garbi reminds devotees of life revolving around divine Shakti.

Even when celebrated with music and colour, the heart of Garba remains Devi bhakti, discipline, community and sacred joy.

Regional Celebrations

Navratri across India carries many forms of the same Devi bhav.

Gujarat

Garba and Dandiya nights bring community worship, colour and Devi devotion together.

Bengal

Durga Puja celebrates Maa Durga with pandals, pushpanjali, dhunuchi and visarjan.

South India

Golu, Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja honour knowledge, arts and tools of work.

North India

Ramlila, vrat, jagran, Kanya Pujan and Dussehra traditions mark the season.

Sacred Devi Temples

Important Durga temples devotees remember during Navratri

Vaishno Devi, Jammu

One of the most revered Shakti pilgrimages for Maa Vaishno Devi devotees.

Kamakhya, Assam

A powerful Shakti Peeth connected with deep tantric and Devi worship traditions.

Mansa Devi, Haridwar

A beloved Devi temple where devotees seek blessings and fulfilment of sankalp.

Dakshineswar Kali, Kolkata

A sacred temple of Maa Kali with a deep devotional and spiritual legacy.

FAQs

Navratri questions families often ask

When does Navratri begin in 2026?

Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11. Confirm local Ghatasthapana timing before puja.

When does Navratri begin in 2027?

Sharad Navratri 2027 begins on Thursday, September 30. City-wise tithi and muhurat should be verified.

Can Navratri fasting be done lightly?

Yes. Vrat should be held with devotion and health awareness. Phalahar or partial fasting is common in many families.

Which day is Kanya Pujan done?

Many families perform Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami, depending on family tradition and local panchang.

Is this page connected to products or payments?

No. This is an educational festival guide. The shop CTA simply opens the Om Divya Darshan shop website.

Prepare With Devi Bhakti

Explore Navratri puja essentials when your family is ready.

Keep the nine nights sattvik, devotional and family-oriented. For help preparing, contact our team on WhatsApp.

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