Nine nights of Devi worship, celebrated through different regional traditions. Understand the forms of the Goddess, the observance dates and a practical way to prepare.
Navratri honours the Divine Mother through prayer, reflection and celebration. A widely followed Navdurga sequence is Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Sharad Navratri is associated with Durga's victory over Mahishasura; its devotional expression varies greatly across India.
Navratri is not one uniform celebration
Ghatasthapana, recitation, aarti and Kanya Pujan are familiar in many households. Garba and dandiya are prominent in Gujarat, Durga Puja has its own rich calendar in Bengal, and Golu or regional Saraswati and Ayudha worship are important in southern traditions. Chaitra and Sharad Navratri are separate seasons. Do not copy a regional sequence or nine colours without checking which tradition it belongs to.
When is it? · Panchang tithi
Reference location: New Delhi · IST (UTC+05:30)
Choose year
When is it? · Panchang tithi · 2026
Date
Observance
Panchang tithi
Chaitra Navratri begins
Shukla Pratipada
Tithi begins:
Tithi ends:
Sharad Navratri begins
Shukla Pratipada
Tithi begins:
Tithi ends:
Sharad Navratri day-by-day calendar · 2026
Nine calendar days of Devi worship in New Delhi. Chaitra Navratri dates remain in the summary above; this planner covers the autumn observance.
1
Shailputri; Ghatasthapana
Set up the kalash and begin the daily Devi worship.
2
Brahmacharini
Keep the second day simple with prayer and a steady vrat routine.
3
Chandraghanta
Continue the Devi aarti and household worship.
4
Kushmanda
Prepare flowers, lamp and a simple offering for the day.
5
Skandamata
Review the remaining worship and family vrat plan.
6
Katyayani; Saraswati Avahan
Follow your family's practice for Saraswati Avahan.
7
Kalaratri; Saraswati Puja
Make preparations for the concluding puja days.
8
Saptami continues
Prepare for Ashtami; do not move its observance earlier by day number alone.
9
Mahagauri; Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami
Both observances fall today in Delhi; Kanya Pujan follows family custom.
Delhi's 2026 sequence is unusual: 18 October remains Saptami in the day-wise calendar, while Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami are both observed on 19 October. The ninth form, Siddhidatri, belongs to the traditional Navadurga sequence; confirm the concluding worship with your family tradition.
After the nine days: 20 October: Vijayadashami / Dussehra; Navami Homa or parana may also fall on this date by tradition.
Dates for New Delhi, India. Check your city and household tradition before fixing puja or fasting times.
The headline date is the start of Sharad Navratri. Chaitra starts are listed separately. In 2027, Pratipada begins after sunrise and ends before the following sunrise; Ghatasthapana uses its specific rule rather than a blanket sunrise-only assumption.
Tithi boundaries shown at minute precision are astronomical references, not the full puja/parana window. Local sunrise, sunset and household tradition can affect observance. Check your own location before performing the ritual.
Only 2026 and 2027 data is included. Refresh the verified annual layer before using this guide for a later year.
Prepare step by step
Make a sustainable observance plan
Choose a prayer routine that fits your family. Fasting practice varies; this guide does not prescribe a compulsory nine-day or waterless fast. Prepare the altar and customary offerings, and seek guidance for elaborate recitations or rituals. If you keep a continuous lamp, ensure safe supervision rather than leaving a flame unattended.
1
Select the season and tradition
Check whether you are planning Chaitra or Sharad Navratri and which regional or household calendar you follow.
2
Check Ghatasthapana separately
Where kalash establishment is customary, confirm the city's appropriate window; a festival-start date is not itself a puja timing.
3
Plan daily worship
Set a manageable time for prayer, aarti and your chosen reading. Prepare fresh bhog according to household custom.
4
Confirm concluding rituals
Check Ashtami, Navami and Kanya Pujan dates individually. Lunar-day changes can prevent a simple one-form-per-civil-day schedule.
Your preparation checklist
Use what you already own. Fresh flowers and food can be sourced locally. This is a household preparation guide, not a universal list of compulsory purchases.
Item
Why it may be useful
Devi image and clean altar cloth
Use the form and setup already worshipped in your home.
Kalash and customary components
For Ghatasthapana only where part of your tradition.
Diya, wick and suitable fuel
For daily aarti with safe supervision.
Flowers and customary offerings
Prepare fresh items locally for each day's worship.
Reading and aarti reference
A trusted text or guide for the practice you choose.
Shringar or sowing materials
Optional or tradition-specific additions, not a universal checklist.
Practices differ. Some families observe selected days or a modified routine. This page provides cultural guidance, not personal dietary or medical advice.
Is Durga Puja identical to the whole Navratri sequence?
They are related Devi celebrations, but regional Durga Puja rites and schedules should be represented distinctly rather than reduced to a translated generic sequence.
Why does 2027 require special Ghatasthapana care?
In the Delhi reference, Pratipada begins after sunrise on 30 September and ends before the next sunrise. This requires the specific Ghatasthapana rule rather than assuming the sunrise tithi alone decides the ritual. Follow the suitable local puja window and your household's guidance.
Are Kanya Pujan and Maha Navami always on different dates?
No. Tithis can overlap a civil date, and families may perform Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami. Check each observance and your tradition.
Sanatana Journey is my effort to make our traditions easier to understand and practise—with helpful guides, thoughtfully chosen puja essentials, and a community to learn alongside.
