Navratri 2026: 9-Day Goddess Festival Date & Calendar

Navratri 2026 occurs four times a year — the two major Navratris are Chaitra Navratri (March 20 — March 28, 2026) in spring and Sharada Navratri (October 3 — October 11, 2026) in autumn. Two minor Navratris (Magha Gupta Navratri and Ashadha Gupta Navratri) are observed by dedicated Shakta practitioners. Navratri means "nine nights" — nine nights of the Goddess Durga in her nine forms (Navadurga). The festival culminates on Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra), the 10th day.

Reviewed by Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, M.A. Sanskrit & Vedic Studies, Varanasi — as of May 2026.

In Vedic astrology, Navratri corresponds to the Sun transitioning into a new sign — Chaitra Navratri begins at the Vernal equinox as the Sun enters Aries (the most potent solar transition), and Sharada Navratri begins as the Sun enters Libra (its debilitation sign, when the Goddess's power is most needed). The Devi Mahatmya (the Markandeya Purana chapter that is the primary Navratri scripture) was recited in its present form specifically for Sharada Navratri. Check the state of your natal Moon (Goddess energy in the chart) with the free birth chart calculator.

Chaitra Navratri 2026: March 20 — March 28, 2026

| Day | Date | Navadurga Form | Color | Special Observance | |-----|------|----------------|-------|-------------------| | Day 1 | March 20 | Shailputri | Yellow | Pratipratista; Kalash Sthapana | | Day 2 | March 21 | Brahmacharini | Green | Austerity, wisdom | | Day 3 | March 22 | Chandraghanta | Grey | Courage, peace | | Day 4 | March 23 | Kushmanda | Orange | Cosmic energy; Aaditya Shakti | | Day 5 | March 24 | Skandamata | White | Motherhood, compassion | | Day 6 | March 25 | Katyayani | Red | Warrior goddess; Sade Sati remedy | | Day 7 | March 26 | Kalaratri | Blue | Darkness transformation; Shani connection | | Day 8 | March 27 | Mahagauri | Pink | Ashtami — Kanya Puja | | Day 9 | March 28 | Siddhidatri | Purple | Navami — Navratri Puja completion | | Day 10 | March 29 | — | — | Rama Navami / Dussehra |

Note: Chaitra Navratri ends on Ram Navami (Chaitra Shukla Navami) — Rama's birthday falls on the same 9th day of Navratri.

Sharada Navratri 2026: October 3 — October 11, 2026

The autumn Navratri is the larger of the two major Navratris — celebrated with the most intensity across India. The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) is recited during this period.

| Day | Date | Navadurga Form | Color | Special Observance | |-----|------|----------------|-------|-------------------| | Day 1 | October 3 | Shailputri | Yellow | Kalash Sthapana; Ghatasthapana | | Day 2 | October 4 | Brahmacharini | Green | | | Day 3 | October 5 | Chandraghanta | Grey | | | Day 4 | October 6 | Kushmanda | Orange | | | Day 5 | October 7 | Skandamata | White | | | Day 6 | October 8 | Katyayani | Red | | | Day 7 | October 9 | Kalaratri | Blue | | | Day 8 | October 10 | Mahagauri | Pink | Ashtami — Kanya Puja | | Day 9 | October 11 | Siddhidatri | Purple | Navami — Navratri Puja completion | | Day 10 | October 12, 2026 | — | — | Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra |

Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) is the most important ritual of the first day — it establishes the Goddess's presence in the home for the 9 days. The method from the Devi Bhagavata Purana: place a clay pot (Ghata or Kalash) filled with water and mango leaves, topped with a coconut. Soil from 7 different places is placed at the base of the Kalash with sown barley seeds (Jau). The barley sprouts represent the Goddess's blessing manifesting visibly over 9 days.

The Ghatasthapana must happen at the auspicious Muhurat at the beginning of the Pratipada tithi on Day 1. Verify the exact time with the 2026 Panchang for your city.

The Navadurga are the nine aspects of Shakti (cosmic feminine power) as catalogued in the Devi Bhagavata Purana:

1. Shailputri — daughter of the mountains; foundation, earthly power 2. Brahmacharini — the austere practitioner; discipline, wisdom 3. Chandraghanta — the bell-crowned; courage, serenity 4. Kushmanda — creator of the cosmic egg; solar Shakti, creation 5. Skandamata — mother of Skanda (Kartikeya); maternal power 6. Katyayani — the fierce warrior; decisive action, justice 7. Kalaratri — the dark night; transformation of darkness to wisdom 8. Mahagauri — the supremely white; purity, liberation 9. Siddhidatri — giver of all Siddhis (spiritual powers); completion

Kanya Puja (worship of young girls as manifestations of the Goddess) is performed on either Ashtami (Day 8) or Navami (Day 9) of Navratri. 9 young girls (ages 2-10, representing the Navadurga forms) are invited to the home, their feet are washed, they are offered a meal, and they are given gifts of clothing and dakshina (money offering). The Devi Bhagavata states: worshipping young girls on Navratri is equal to worshipping the Goddess herself, since the Goddess's pure Shakti is present in its fullest form in pre-pubescent girls.

Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) 2026: October 12, 2026

Dussehra is the 10th day — Vijaya = victory, Dashami = 10th day — when Rama's victory over Ravana and Durga's victory over Mahishasura are both celebrated. Effigy burning (Ravana Dahan) of Ravana's effigy — sometimes 50-100 feet tall — is the major Dussehra event across North India. In Bengal and eastern India, this is Vijaya Dashami — the day the Durga idol (kept for 9 days) is immersed in the river (Bisarjan), and Ma Durga returns to Kailash.