Navratri 2026

What is Navratri?

Navratri — "nine nights" — is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Divine Mother, Goddess Durga, in her nine forms (Navadurga). It is celebrated twice a year with the greatest devotion: Chaitra Navratri in spring (March–April), which ends with Rama Navami, and Shardiya Navratri in autumn (September–October), which begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada and ends with Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra. When people simply say "Navratri", they usually mean the autumn Shardiya Navratri.

Why is Navratri celebrated?

Navratri celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura after a battle of nine days and nights, and more broadly the victory of good over evil. The tenth day, Vijayadashami, also marks Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, which is why effigies of Ravana are burnt across North India on Dussehra. The festival is a time of prayer, fasting and self-discipline, and of celebration of the feminine divine — Shakti — in all her forms.

Which goddess is worshipped on each day of Navratri?

1. Day 1 — Shailaputri, daughter of the mountains. Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana.
2. Day 2 — Brahmacharini, the goddess of devotion and penance.
3. Day 3 — Chandraghanta, who wears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead.
4. Day 4 — Kushmanda, believed to have created the universe with her smile.
5. Day 5 — Skandamata, mother of Kartikeya (Skanda).
6. Day 6 — Katyayani, the warrior form who defeated Mahishasura.
7. Day 7 — Kalaratri, the fierce form who destroys darkness and fear.
8. Day 8 — Mahagauri, the form of purity and peace. Durga Ashtami is celebrated with Kanya Puja in many homes.
9. Day 9 — Siddhidatri, the giver of spiritual powers. Maha Navami concludes the worship.

What is Ghatasthapana?

Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) is the installation of a sacred pot on the first day, which invokes the Goddess for the nine days. A clay pot or bed of soil is sown with barley (jau), and a kalash of water topped with mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red cloth is placed beside it. The barley sprouts that grow over the nine days, called jawara or khetri, are considered a blessing. Ghatasthapana is done in the morning on Pratipada, avoiding certain inauspicious periods, so check the muhurat for your city.

How is Navratri celebrated across India?

Gujarat — Garba and Dandiya

Gujarat celebrates Navratri as a nine-night dance festival. People gather around an image of the Goddess or a lamp (garbo) and dance garba in circles, and dandiya raas with sticks, often until late at night.

North India — Fasting and Ramlila

In Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, many devotees fast for all nine days, eating only fruits, milk and vrat foods such as kuttu, singhara and sabudana. Ramlila performances re-enact the Ramayana and end with the burning of Ravana's effigy on Dussehra.

Bengal and the East — Durga Puja

In West Bengal, Assam and Odisha the last five days are celebrated as Durga Puja, with pandals and community worship.

South India — Golu and Ayudha Puja

In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, families arrange Golu (Bommai Kolu) — steps of dolls and figurines — and invite neighbours. Karnataka's Mysuru Dasara is famous for its royal procession, and on Navami many people celebrate Ayudha Puja, honouring the tools and vehicles of their work, followed by Vidyarambham, when children begin learning, on Vijayadashami.

What can you eat during the Navratri fast?

Rules differ by family, but common vrat foods include fruits, milk and curd, potatoes and sweet potatoes, kuttu (buckwheat) and singhara (water chestnut) flour, sabudana, samak rice and rock salt (sendha namak). Grains such as wheat and rice, onion, garlic and regular salt are usually avoided. Some devotees eat one meal a day; others take only fruits and water.

What are the nine colours of Navratri?

In Maharashtra and Gujarat especially, each day of Navratri has a colour that devotees wear. The colour sequence is decided each year by the weekday on which Navratri begins, so it changes from year to year — check the colours for the current year before planning outfits.

What is Kanya Puja?

On Ashtami or Navami, many families perform Kanya Puja (Kanjak), honouring young girls as forms of the Goddess. Usually nine girls, and often one boy representing Bhairav, are invited home; their feet are washed, a red thread is tied on their wrists, and they are served halwa, puri and black chana before receiving small gifts. For many devotees, the Navratri fast is completed after this ritual.

Navratri around the world

Garba nights draw thousands of people in cities across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Kenya and the Gulf, and temples hold daily Navratri pujas and Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami. Use MyPujaWorld's events map to find garba, dandiya and Navratri pujas near you.

What is the spiritual meaning of Navratri?

The nine nights are often described as a journey inward: the first three days are dedicated to Durga, who destroys negativity; the next three to Lakshmi, who brings prosperity; and the last three to Saraswati, who grants wisdom. Vijayadashami, the day of victory, celebrates the triumph that follows this inner work.