Sharad Navratri 2026 Date – 11 October
Sharad Navratri 2026 is on 11 October (Sunday). Sharad Navratri is nine nights of worship of Goddess Durga, ending with Dussehra. Also known as Navratri, Durga Puja, Navaratri. Dates are calculated for New Delhi.
Navratri begins – Ghatasthapana
The first day. A kalash (sacred pot) is installed and Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped; many devotees begin a nine-day fast.
Saraswati Avahan
Goddess Saraswati is invoked, especially in South India and Bengal, where books and instruments are placed before her.
Saraswati Puja
Worship of Saraswati, the goddess of learning — a key day of Navratri in South India.
Durga Ashtami
The eighth day, honouring Mahagauri. Kanya Puja — feeding and worshipping young girls as forms of the goddess — is widely performed.
Maha Navami
The ninth day, honouring Siddhidatri. Many families perform Kanya Puja and break their fast; Ayudha Puja is observed in the South.
Dussehra – Vijayadashami
The day after Navratri, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Durga idols are immersed and Ravana effigies are burnt.
The nine forms of Durga worshipped in Navratri
Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one form (Navadurga) of the goddess, in this order:
- Day 1 – Shailaputri
- Day 2 – Brahmacharini
- Day 3 – Chandraghanta
- Day 4 – Kushmanda
- Day 5 – Skandamata
- Day 6 – Katyayani
- Day 7 – Kalaratri
- Day 8 – Mahagauri
- Day 9 – Siddhidatri
Why Navratri sometimes has fewer than nine days
Navratri follows lunar days (tithis), not calendar dates. When a tithi begins and ends between two sunrises it is skipped, so two observances can fall on the same calendar day — this is why Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami sometimes share a date. Follow your local panchang or temple for the exact day of each ritual.
How Navratri is celebrated across India
- Gujarat — nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas.
- West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura — Durga Puja with pandals, mainly from Shashthi to Dashami.
- North India — fasting, Ramlila performances and Ravana Dahan on Dussehra.
- Karnataka — Mysuru Dasara, with its famous procession on Vijayadashami.
- Tamil Nadu — Golu, a display of dolls on steps, and Saraswati and Ayudha Puja.
Navratri fasting basics
Many people eat only after sunset, or take a single satvik meal. Common fasting foods include sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat) and singhara (water chestnut) flour, potatoes, fruit, milk and sendha namak (rock salt); grains, onion and garlic are usually avoided. Practices vary by family — anyone with a health condition should check with a doctor before fasting.
Planning ahead? Sharad Navratri 2027 falls on 30 September (Thursday).
Frequently asked questions
When is Sharad Navratri in 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 is on 11 October (Sunday), as calculated for New Delhi. In some regions the date can differ by a day, depending on when the tithi begins and ends locally.
When is Saraswati Avahan 2026?
Saraswati Avahan 2026 is on 16 October (Friday).
When is Saraswati Puja 2026?
Saraswati Puja 2026 is on 17 October (Saturday).
When is Durga Ashtami 2026?
Durga Ashtami 2026 is on 19 October (Monday).
When is Maha Navami 2026?
Maha Navami 2026 is on 19 October (Monday).
When is Dussehra 2026?
Dussehra 2026 is on 20 October (Tuesday).
What is the difference between Chaitra and Sharad Navratri?
Chaitra Navratri falls in spring (March–April) and ends on Rama Navami. Sharad Navratri falls in autumn (September–October), is the more widely celebrated of the two, and ends with Dussehra.
Is Navratri a public holiday?
Navratri itself is not, but Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is a central-government gazetted holiday, and many states also close for Durga Ashtami or Maha Navami.
When is Sharad Navratri 2027?
Sharad Navratri 2027 is on 30 September (Thursday).