Navratri 2026 Calendar
Shardiya Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 11 October to Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October. Because the tithis are compressed this year, Maha Ashtami, the Sandhi Puja and Maha Navami all fall on 19 October.
- Day 1
- Tithi
- Pratipada
- Devi
- Maa Shailaputri
- Observance
- Ghatasthapana / Kalash Sthapana
- Day 2
- Tithi
- Dwitiya
- Devi
- Maa Brahmacharini
- Observance
- Chandra Darshan
- Day 3
- Tithi
- Tritiya
- Devi
- Maa Chandraghanta
- Observance
- Daily havan & jaap
- Day 4
- Tithi
- Chaturthi
- Devi
- Maa Kushmanda
- Observance
- Kushmanda puja
- Day 5
- Tithi
- Panchami
- Devi
- Maa Skandamata
- Observance
- Lalita Panchami
- Day 6
- Tithi
- Shashthi
- Devi
- Maa Katyayani
- Observance
- Durga Puja begins (Bodhon)
- Day 7
- Tithi
- Saptami
- Devi
- Maa Kalaratri
- Observance
- Maha Saptami
- Day 8
- Tithi
- Ashtami begins
- Devi
- Maa Mahagauri
- Observance
- Maha Ashtami observances
- Day 9
- Tithi
- Ashtami till 10:53, then Navami
- Devi
- Maa Mahagauri & Maa Siddhidatri
- Observance
- Sandhi Puja, Kanya Pujan, Maha Navami
- Dashami
- Tithi
- Dashami
- Devi
- Vijayadashami
- Observance
- Dussehra — closing puja and purnahuti
Book a Navratri Ghatasthapana Puja
Sankalp in your name and gotra at the Nalkheda Siddhpeeth, performed by Rajguru Ji. Dates fill quickly during the nine nights.
Enquire NowWhat is Shardiya Navratri?
Shardiya Navratri is the autumn Navratri, kept in the bright fortnight of the month of Ashwin. It is the larger of the two Navratris the year holds — the other, Chaitra Navratri, comes in spring and ends in Ram Navami. Over nine nights a different form of Durga is honoured, from Shailaputri to Siddhidatri, closing with Vijayadashami.
At Nalkheda in 2026: daily havan, mantra jaap and special anushthan are performed at the swayambhu Maa Baglamukhi Siddhpeeth through all nine days. Devotees who cannot travel may take part remotely with a sankalp in their name and gotra.
Nine Nights of Sadhana
A steady rhythm of jaap, vrat and evening aarti
Removal of Obstacles
Traditionally observed for protection and relief from badha
Devi Shakti
Honouring the mother power that upholds the universe
Navratri 2026 Puja Vidhi
Navratri worship at home asks for sincerity more than elaborate arrangement. These are the essential steps of the nine-day observance.
Kalash Sthapana
On the first day (Ghatasthapana) a clay kalash is installed with a coconut and mango leaves, and barley seed is sown beside it.
Invocation of Durga
Flowers and akshat (sacred rice) are offered and the akhand jyoti — an unbroken ghee lamp — is lit for the nine nights.
Navarna Mantra Jaap
The nine-syllable mantra is recited at least 108 times each day, ideally in the same seat and at the same hour.
Kanya Pujan
On Ashtami or Navami young girls are honoured and fed as living forms of the Devi. In 2026 both fall on 19 October.
Maha Aarti & Purnahuti
The evening aarti with camphor, and the final purnahuti offering that completes the nine-day sankalp.
Rajguru Ji says: "The strength of a Navratri puja rests in the sankalp. Even a simple ritual, kept with a clear intention and a steady heart, carries the nine nights."
Navratri 2026 Mantras
These two mantras are chanted through the nine nights at Nalkheda. Recite them with a clean asan, a fixed mala count and, where possible, at the same hour each day.
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche
Navarna Mantra
The nine-syllable mantra invokes Maha Saraswati (knowledge), Maha Lakshmi (abundance) and Maha Kali (protection) together — the most widely recited mantra of the nine nights.
ॐ ह्लीं बगलामुखी देव्यै नमः
Om Hleem Baglamukhi Devyai Namah
Baglamukhi Mantra
The mantra of the presiding Devi of the Nalkheda Siddhpeeth, traditionally recited during Navratri for shatru badha nivaran and karya siddhi.
Navratri Vrat Rules
The Navratri vrat is a discipline of body and mind, not diet alone. Some keep it for all nine days, others only on the first and the last.
Food Rules
- ✦ Use sendha namak (rock salt) only.
- ✦ Take sattvic fasting food — sabudana, singhara flour, makhana, fruit and milk.
- ✦ Avoid grain, onion, garlic, alcohol and non-vegetarian food entirely.
Puja Samagri
- ✦ Image or idol of Maa Durga
- ✦ Kalash, coconut, mango leaves and barley seed
- ✦ Ghee, cotton wicks and a lamp for the akhand jyoti
- ✦ Fruit, flowers and dry fruit for prasad
Why Devotees Observe Navratri
Traditional Protection
Devotees traditionally seek shelter from ill will, envy and negative influence.
Spiritual Depth
Nine days of steady jaap and vrat are held to deepen meditation and inner discipline.
Peace & Harmony
Families observe Navratri for calm at home and relief from mental strain.
Karya Siddhi
Anushthan is traditionally undertaken for the removal of obstacles in one's work.
Facing obstacles in your work?
A Navratri havan or nine-day anushthan can be performed in your name during 11–20 October 2026.
Navratri 2026 — Common Questions
When is Navratri in 2026?+
Why do Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day this year?+
What is the Ghatasthapana muhurat for 2026?+
Which mantra is chanted during Navratri?+
Can I book a Navratri puja or havan online?+
When is Chaitra Navratri 2027?+
Need guidance for the nine nights?
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