Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October and the nine-day festival is observed through 19 October, followed by Vijayadashami or Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October.
The festival begins with Ashwin Shukla Pratipada and Ghatasthapana, the ritual that marks the beginning of Navratri. In Delhi, the Ghatasthapana muhurat on 11 October is 6:19 am to 10:12 am. The Abhijit muhurat is 11:44 am to 12:31 pm.
Navratri means nine nights. Over these nine days, devotees worship different forms of Goddess Durga, observe fasts, visit temples and take part in regional celebrations ranging from Garba and Dandiya to Durga Puja.
Here is everything to know about Navratri 2026, from its dates and puja timing to the nine colours, fasting rules, Kanya Pujan and the story behind the festival.
When Is Navratri In 2026? Date, Tithi And Puja Timing
Sharad Navratri starts on Sunday, 11 October 2026, with Ashwin Shukla Pratipada.
The nine-day observance runs from 11 October to 19 October. Vijayadashami or Dussehra falls on 20 October.
The festival days are:
11 October, Sunday: Day 1, Pratipada
12 October, Monday: Day 2, Dwitiya
13 October, Tuesday: Day 3, Tritiya
14 October, Wednesday: Day 4, Chaturthi
15 October, Thursday: Day 5, Panchami
16 October, Friday: Day 6, Shashthi
17 October, Saturday: Day 7, Saptami
18 October, Sunday: Day 8
19 October, Monday: Day 9, Ashtami and Navami
20 October, Tuesday: Vijayadashami or Dussehra
There is an important tithi detail in 2026.
In Delhi, Ashtami Tithi begins at 8:27 am on 18 October and ends at 10:51 am on 19 October. Navami begins at 10:51 am on 19 October and ends at 12:50 pm on 20 October.
As a result, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami are both observed on 19 October under the North Indian calendar, while Vijayadashami falls on 20 October.
The dates can differ for specific regional traditions. For example, Bengal observes Maha Navami on 20 October in 2026.
Why Is Navratri Celebrated?
Navratri is dedicated to Shakti, the divine feminine power, and the worship of Goddess Durga.
The festival is closely associated with the nine forms of Durga, known as the Navadurga. Each day is traditionally dedicated to one form of the Goddess.
Navratri is also associated with the victory of good over evil. One of the central stories is Goddess Durga's battle with Mahishasura, the buffalo demon.
The festival therefore brings together worship, prayer and rituals built around the Goddess and her different forms.
The Story Behind Navratri
The story of Mahishasura is central to the Navratri tradition.
According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura received a boon that made him difficult for the gods to defeat. As his power grew, the gods turned to the divine feminine force.
Their combined energies gave rise to Goddess Durga, who fought Mahishasura.
The battle continued until Durga defeated him. The story is remembered during Navratri as a representation of the triumph of divine power over evil.
Navratri also has different regional traditions and stories. In North India, the festival is closely connected with the Ramayana and the story of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, which is commemorated on Vijayadashami.
In eastern India, the same autumn period is marked through Durga Puja, with Goddess Durga at the centre of the celebrations.
How Is Navratri Celebrated Across India?
Navratri does not look the same across India.
In Gujarat, evenings are associated with Garba and Dandiya, with people gathering for traditional dance and music.
In North India, devotees visit temples, hold aartis and jagrans, observe fasts and participate in Dussehra celebrations.
In West Bengal and other parts of eastern India, the period is marked by Durga Puja, with idols of Goddess Durga, pandals and elaborate rituals.
In parts of South India, families observe traditions such as Golu or Bommai Golu, where dolls and figurines are arranged and displayed during the festival.
The rituals and celebrations differ by region, but the worship of the Goddess remains central to the festival.
What Is Kanya Pujan And When Does It Take Place?
Kanya Pujan, also known as Kanjak or Kanya Bhoj in parts of North India, is a ritual in which young girls are worshipped as manifestations of the Goddess.
Devotees traditionally invite girls to their homes, wash their feet, offer them food and give them gifts.
Kanya Pujan is commonly performed on Ashtami or Navami. The exact day depends on the family's tradition and the local Panchang.
In Delhi in 2026, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami are both observed on 19 October, so devotees following this calendar may perform Kanya Pujan on that day.
What Is The Significance Of Navratri?
Navratri is centred on the worship of Shakti and the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
The nine forms are traditionally worshipped in sequence, beginning with Shailputri and ending with Siddhidatri.
Each form represents a different aspect of the Goddess and has its own place in Navratri worship.
The festival is also associated with prayer, fasting and other forms of religious observance. For devotees, these practices form part of the spiritual discipline of the nine-day period.
Why Do People Wear Different Colours For 9 Days?
The nine-colour tradition is now closely associated with Navratri celebrations and festive dressing.
A different colour is assigned to each day. The sequence is linked to the weekday on which Navratri begins, which means the colours change from year to year.
Since Navratri begins on a Sunday in 2026, the commonly followed sequence starts with orange.
The colour list is a tradition and is not a universal religious requirement. Regional customs can have different colour associations.
Navratri 2026: 9 Days, 9 Colours
The commonly followed colour sequence for Navratri 2026 is:
Day 1, 11 October: Orange, Shailputri
Day 2, 12 October: White, Brahmacharini
Day 3, 13 October: Red, Chandraghanta
Day 4, 14 October: Royal Blue, Kushmanda
Day 5, 15 October: Yellow, Skandamata
Day 6, 16 October: Green, Katyayani
Day 7, 17 October: Grey, Kalaratri
Day 8, 18 October: Purple, Mahagauri
Day 9, 19 October: Peacock Green, Siddhidatri
The colour sequence can vary across communities and regions, so these should be treated as the commonly followed 2026 colours rather than mandatory colours for every devotee.
What Is The 9-Day Fasting Ritual, When Does It Happen And Why?
Navratri fasting, or vrat, is observed by devotees during the festival.
There is no single fasting routine followed by everyone.
Some devotees fast through all nine days. Others fast on selected days, eat one meal a day or follow a partial fast.
The purpose of the vrat is traditionally linked with devotion, discipline and religious observance. The specific rules depend on family and regional traditions.
In 2026, the Navratri fasting period begins on 11 October. Those observing a nine-day vrat generally complete it around the end of Navratri, with the exact time for breaking the fast depending on the person's tradition and the relevant tithi.
What Do People Eat During These 9 Days?
Fasting during Navratri does not necessarily mean avoiding food altogether.
Common vrat foods include:
Sabudana
Kuttu or buckwheat flour
Singhara or water chestnut flour
Samak rice
Potatoes and other permitted vegetables
Fruits
Milk and dairy products
Nuts and dry fruits
Sendha namak, or rock salt, is commonly used during fasting instead of regular table salt.
Some devotees avoid grains, pulses, onion and garlic during the vrat. Others follow stricter routines based on fruits and milk or have only one meal a day.
The exact food rules depend on the type of fast and the tradition being followed.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
When is Navratri 2026?
Sharad Navratri begins on 11 October 2026 and the nine-day observance runs through 19 October. Vijayadashami falls on 20 October.
What is the Ghatasthapana timing in Delhi?
The main Ghatasthapana muhurat is 6:19 am to 10:12 am on 11 October, with an additional Abhijit muhurat from 11:44 am to 12:31 pm.
Why is Navratri celebrated?
Navratri is dedicated to Shakti and the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. It is also associated with the victory of good over evil.
What are the nine Navratri colours in 2026?
Orange, white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green.
When is Kanya Pujan?
Kanya Pujan is generally performed on Ashtami or Navami. In Delhi's 2026 calendar, both Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall on 19 October.
What can people eat during Navratri fasting?
Common vrat foods include sabudana, kuttu, singhara, samak rice, fruits, dairy, potatoes and nuts. Fasting rules vary by tradition.
