Navratri 2026 Date — Sunday, October 11, 2026
When is Navratri in 2026? Sharad (autumn) Navratri starts Sunday, October 11, 2026 — not Chaitra Navratri in March–April.
Observance: Navaratri Ghatasthapana. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Other years: Navratri 2025 date · Navratri 2027 date
Sharad Navratri 2026 calendar — nine days, Devi forms & colours
| Night | Date & day | Devi | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sun, 11 October 2026 | Shailputri | Orange |
| Day 2 | Mon, 12 October 2026 | Brahmacharini | White |
| Day 3 | Tue, 13 October 2026 | Chandraghanta | Red |
| Day 4 | Wed, 14 October 2026 | Kushmanda | Royal Blue |
| Day 5 | Thu, 15 October 2026 | Skandamata | Yellow |
| Day 6 | Fri, 16 October 2026 | Katyayani | Green |
| Day 7 | Sat, 17 October 2026 | Kaalratri | Grey |
| Day 8 | Mon, 19 October 2026 | Mahagauri | White |
| Day 9 | Tue, 20 October 2026 | Siddhidatri | Red |
Navratri colours follow the weekday each night falls on, which is why the list changes every year. Some regional lists swap the last two colours for pink and purple — follow the one your community uses. When a tithi is doubled or dropped, two nights can share a date or a night can be skipped.
Sharad Navratri 2026 muhurat & timings — Delhi
| Sunrise | 06:19 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 05:56 pm |
| Moonrise | 06:47 am |
| Brahma Muhurat | 04:40 am – 05:30 am |
| Abhijit Muhurat | 11:44 am – 12:31 pm |
| Rahu Kaal (avoid) | 04:29 pm – 05:56 pm |
| Tithi at sunrise | Shukla Prathama |
| Nakshatra | Chitra |
These are the day’s general muhurats and Rahu Kaal for Delhi, computed from the AllMandir panchang. Festival puja timings vary by tradition and city — open the full panchang for Sun, 11 October 2026 or ask your local mandir.
Sharad Navratri 2026 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (Day 1) | Sun, 11 October 2026 | Kalash sthapana |
| Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) | Mon, 19 October 2026 | |
| Maha Navami | Tue, 20 October 2026 | |
| Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) | Tue, 20 October 2026 | |
| Sharad Purnima | Sun, 25 October 2026 |
About Sharad Navratri
Sharad Navratri (Ashwin / autumn) is the main nine-night worship of Goddess Durga celebrated across India. It begins with Ghatasthapana (kalash installation) and continues through nine forms of Devi, ending near Vijayadashami (Dussehra). This is different from Chaitra Navratri in March–April (spring). Gujarat is known for garba and dandiya; Bengal for Durga Puja pandals; South India for golu/kolu doll displays and sundal prasadam. Many households keep a sattvic diet or partial fast and perform morning and evening Devi puja.
How to observe
Start Day 1 with Ghatasthapana in a shubh muhurta if you follow home puja. Light a lamp morning and evening, recite Durga stotram or Devi Mahatmyam as your tradition allows, and offer flowers and simple naivedyam. Visit a Durga or Devi temple for alankaram darshan. On Ashtami or Navami, many families perform Kanya (Kanjak) puja. Close the festival with visarjan or sindoor traditions according to your region, and begin Vijayadashami with new learning or tools (Ayudha / Saraswati puja where customary).
Searches for “Navratri date April” usually mean Chaitra Navratri. This page is for Sharad (autumn) Navratri. City calendars may shift the start by a day based on sunrise and amanta/purnimanta rules.
Why we celebrate
Beginning of nine nights of Devi — installation of sacred kalash invoking Durga.
How it is celebrated
Daily Devi puja, golu/kolu display in South India, garba/dandiya in Gujarat, Durga puja in Bengal. Fasting or sattvic diet through nine days.
Puja timing
Morning and evening puja; Ghatasthapana on Day 1 during Shubh muhurta. Sandhya arati each night.
Foods & offerings
Fasting foods: sabudana, kuttu, fruits, milk. South India: sundal prasadam daily. Bengal: bhog to Ma Durga.
Rituals
- Ghatasthapana (Day 1): establish kalash, invoke Durga, sow barley/jowar.
- Daily: lamp, Devi stotram, offer flowers and naivedyam.
- Color-coded dress optional per day; visit temples for alankaram darshan.
- Kanya puja (invite young girls as Devi) on Ashtami or Navami in many homes.
- Ayudha puja / Saraswati puja on Mahanavami in several regions.
- Vijayadashami: visarjan, sindoor khela, and new beginnings.
Sharad Navratri dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Sharad Navratri 2025 date |
| 2026 | Sun, 11 October 2026 |
| 2027 | Sharad Navratri 2027 date |
| 2028 | Sharad Navratri 2028 date |
Hindu festivals around Sharad Navratri 2026
- Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 date — Sat, 10 October 2026
- Durga Puja 2026 date — Mon, 19 October 2026
- Dussehra 2026 date — Tue, 20 October 2026
- Sharad Purnima 2026 date — Sun, 25 October 2026
- Anant Chaturdashi 2026 date — Fri, 25 September 2026
- Karva Chauth 2026 date — Thu, 29 October 2026
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 date — Tue, 15 September 2026
- Dhanteras 2026 date — Sat, 7 November 2026
- Hartalika Teej 2026 date — Mon, 14 September 2026
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 date — Sun, 8 November 2026
- Diwali 2026 date — Mon, 9 November 2026
- Govardhan Puja 2026 date — Tue, 10 November 2026
Sharad Navratri 2026 puja & muhurat timings in major cities
| City | Ghatasthapana (first third of day) | Abhijit Muhurat | Rahu Kaal (avoid) | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 06:19 am – 10:12 am | 11:44 am – 12:30 pm | 04:28 pm – 05:56 pm | 06:19 am | 05:56 pm |
| Mumbai | 06:31 am – 10:27 am | 12:01 pm – 12:48 pm | 04:50 pm – 06:18 pm | 06:31 am | 06:18 pm |
| Bengaluru | 06:09 am – 10:07 am | 11:42 am – 12:30 pm | 04:33 pm – 06:03 pm | 06:09 am | 06:03 pm |
| Chennai | 05:59 am – 09:57 am | 11:31 am – 12:19 pm | 04:23 pm – 05:52 pm | 05:58 am | 05:52 pm |
| Hyderabad | 06:08 am – 10:05 am | 11:39 am – 12:26 pm | 04:28 pm – 05:57 pm | 06:08 am | 05:57 pm |
| Kolkata | 05:31 am – 09:26 am | 10:59 am – 11:46 am | 03:47 pm – 05:14 pm | 05:31 am | 05:14 pm |
Times come from each city’s own sunrise, sunset and panchang for Sun, 11 October 2026. The Ghatasthapana window is the first third of daytime from local sunrise; tithi or nakshatra rules can shorten it, so confirm with your mandir.
Sharad Navratri rituals step by step
- Ghatasthapana (Kalash sthapana) on Pratipada — install a water-filled kalash with mango leaves and a coconut, and sow barley (jau) in soil beside it.
- Light an akhand jyoti (continuous lamp) if your family tradition keeps one for the nine nights.
- Worship one form of Durga each day, from Shailaputri on day 1 to Siddhidatri on day 9.
- Perform Kanya puja on Ashtami or Navami — invite young girls, wash their feet and offer food and gifts.
- Close with havan and the Navami puja; Vijayadashami follows the next day.
What to do on Sharad Navratri 2026
- Keep a fast that suits your health — full, phalahar (fruit and milk) or one meal a day.
- Join Garba or Dandiya in Gujarat and western India, Golu (Bommai Kolu) displays in South India, or Durga Puja pandals in Bengal.
- Read the Durga Saptashati or chant Devi stotras each evening.
- Do Ghatasthapana within the morning window or Abhijit Muhurat, and avoid Rahu Kaal.
Sharad Navratri 2026 FAQ
What time is Ghatasthapana on Sharad Navratri 2026 in Delhi?
Ghatasthapana in Delhi on Sun, 11 October 2026 is 06:19 am – 10:12 am (local time, AllMandir panchang). See the table for other cities.
What is the Ghatasthapana muhurat?
Ghatasthapana is traditionally done on Pratipada during the first third of the day after sunrise. If that is not possible, Abhijit Muhurat around midday is the accepted alternative. The city table on this page computes both from local sunrise and sunset.
How many days is Navratri?
Sharad Navratri has nine nights of Devi worship, followed by Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on the tenth day. Some years a tithi is skipped or repeated, so the nights can span eight or ten calendar days.
