Shardiya Navratri 2026: Dates, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, Puja Vidhi & 9-Day Calendar

Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October and ends with Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October. It is the most important of the four Navratris, dedicated to nine days of worship of Maa Durga. Want a pandit to perform Ghatasthapana or Durga Puja at home? Book a Pandit on Prayfullit now, before the festive season's slots fill up.

This guide has the complete 9-day calendar, Ghatasthapana muhurat, daily colours, puja vidhi, fasting rules and Dussehra date.

Shardiya Navratri 2026: Quick Facts

Muhurat timings depend on sunrise in your city. Confirm exact Ghatasthapana timing for your location before the puja.

What Is Shardiya Navratri?

Shardiya Navratri, meaning "Navratri of autumn," is the biggest of the four Navratris observed each year. Over nine nights, devotees worship the nine forms of Maa Durga, known as Navadurga, culminating in Vijayadashami, the victory of good over evil. The festival is also called Maha Navratri because of its scale and significance across India, and as Durga Puja in Bengal, Assam and Odisha.

Full 9-Day Navratri 2026 Calendar

Colour lists vary slightly across sources and traditions; confirm with your local Panchang if you follow a specific regional convention.

Ghatasthapana: How Navratri Begins

Navratri opens with Ghatasthapana (also called Kalash Sthapana), the ritual installation of a sacred kalash that invokes Shakti for the nine days.

Ghatasthapana Muhurat for 11 October 2026 (New Delhi): 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM

Panchang rules generally favour the early part of the day, while Pratipada tithi prevails, for this ritual. Avoid the Rahu Kaal and night-time windows. Because timing depends on sunrise, check the Ghatasthapana muhurat for your own city before beginning.

Ghatasthapana Vidhi

1. Clean the puja space and place a wide earthen pot filled with soil for the Jav (barley) seeds.
2. Sow barley seeds in the soil.
3. Fill a kalash with water, a coin, betel nut and Kusha grass; place mango or ashoka leaves at the mouth.
4. Place a coconut wrapped in a red cloth on top of the kalash.
5. Invoke Maa Durga with the Sankalp, then install the kalash near the seed pot.
6. Light an Akhand Diya beside the kalash, kept burning for all nine days.

The Three Forms of the Goddess Across Nine Nights

The nine nights are traditionally grouped into three sets of three:

• Days 1–3 — Durga: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta represent strength, discipline and courage, destroying negativity.
• Days 4–6 — Lakshmi: Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani bring wealth, motherly grace and the power to act.
• Days 7–9 — Saraswati: Kalaratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri bring transformation, purity and wisdom.

Durga Ashtami, Sandhi Puja and Maha Navami 2026

• Durga Ashtami — 18 October 2026: Maa Mahagauri is worshipped. Many families perform Kanya Pujan, honouring young girls as forms of the Goddess.

• Sandhi Puja: Performed at the exact junction of Ashtami and Navami tithi, when Goddess Chamunda is believed to have appeared to slay the demons Chanda and Munda. Timing is precise and varies by city — check your local Panchang closer to the date.
• Maha Navami — 19 October 2026: Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped; Kanya Pujan and Havan are commonly performed on this day too.

Vijayadashami / Dussehra — 20 October 2026

Navratri concludes with Vijayadashami, marking Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. Durga idols are immersed (visarjan) on this day, and effigies of Ravana are burnt in many parts of North India.

Navratri Fasting (Vrat) Rules

• Many devotees observe a full nine-day fast, eating only fruits, dairy, sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour, and rock salt (sendha namak).
• Onion, garlic and regular table salt are avoided during the vrat.
• Some devotees keep a fast only on the first and last day, or on Ashtami/Navami.
• Break the fast (Vrat Paran) after Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami, as per family tradition.

Navratri Puja Vidhi at a Glance

1. Morning bath and clean clothes each day of the festival
2. Light the Akhand Diya and offer fresh flowers at the kalash
3. Recite the day's Devi mantra and read from Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya
4. Offer the specific naivedya (prasad) associated with each form of the Goddess
5. Perform aarti morning and evening
6. On Ashtami/Navami, perform Kanya Pujan and Havan
7. Immerse the kalash and conclude the vrat after Navami or on Vijayadashami

Where Shardiya Navratri Is Celebrated Differently

• Gujarat: Garba and Dandiya Raas performed nightly around the kalash
• West Bengal, Assam, Odisha: Celebrated as Durga Puja with elaborate pandals, culminating in Bengal's own Dashami rituals
• North India: Ramlila performances lead up to Dussehra and Ravan Dahan
• South India: Golu (Kolu) doll displays, especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Book Pandit Services for Navratri 2026 with Prayfullit

Whether you need a pandit for Ghatasthapana, daily Durga Puja, Sandhi Puja or the Navami Havan, Prayfullit connects you with experienced, verified pandits who follow your family's tradition.

• Book Ghatasthapana and daily puja services
• Get guidance on muhurat for your city
• Arrange Havan and Kanya Pujan for Ashtami/Navami

Book Your Pandit for Navratri Now or Talk to Our Team to plan your nine days of worship.

Conclusion

Shardiya Navratri 2026 runs from 11 to 20 October, nine nights dedicated to the many forms of Shakti. Plan your Ghatasthapana, daily puja and Ashtami/Navami rituals in advance, and Book Your Pandit on Prayfullit to make sure your festival is guided correctly from start to finish.