Shardiya Navratri 2026: Dates, Muhurat, Puja And More

Of the four Navratris celebrated throughout the year, Shardiya Navratri is the most popular and widely observed. These nine days, devotees come together through prayers, fasting, aarti, and many festive celebrations.

Shardiya Navratri 2026 Start and End Dates

🗓️ Festival	📅 Day & Date
🌺 Shardiya Navratri Begins	Sunday, 11 October 2026
🌸 Shardiya Navratri Ends	Tuesday, 20 October 2026
🪔 Vijayadashami (Dussehra)	Tuesday, 20 October 2026

Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana)—2026 Muhurat

Ghatasthapana is performed on Pratipada, the first day of Navratri, to invoke Goddess Shakti. The auspicious muhurat for Ghatasthapana is from 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM.

When possible, many families choose a muhurat that avoids Chitra Nakshatra and Vaidhriti Yoga, but Ghatasthapana remains valid even if these coincide, and many households proceed within the overall Pratipada window.

Note: Exact tithi, nakshatra, and yoga timings vary by city and panchang. Please confirm the precise window for your location with a local panchang or priest before finalizing your puja time.

Shardiya Navratri 2026: Nine Forms of Goddess Durga & Their Colours

Each of the nine days of Shardiya Navratri is dedicated to one form of the Goddess:

🌺 Day	🙏 Goddess	🎨 Navratri Colour
Day 1 — October 11	Shailputri	🟠 Orange
Day 2 — October 12	Brahmacharini	⚪ White
Day 3 — October 13	Chandraghanta	🔴 Red
Day 4 — October 14	Kushmanda	🔵 Royal Blue
Day 5 — October 15	Skandamata	🟡 Yellow
Day 6 — October 16	Katyayani	🟢 Green
Day 7 — October 17	Kalaratri	⚫ Grey
Day 8 — October 18	Mahagauri	🟣 Purple
Day 9 — October 19	Siddhidatri	🦚 Peacock Green

Puja Samagri for Shardiya Navratri

Kalash and Setup

• Earthen pot (Khetri), copper or brass Kalash, water, Ganga jal (if available)

• Mauli (sacred thread), coconut, red cloth

• Mango or Ashoka leaves, coins, seven types of grains, Akshat (rice)

• Durva grass, betel nut, Ittar (perfume)

For Worship

• Idol or photo of Goddess Durga; images of the nine forms (optional)

• Chowki, red Chunari, Diya, ghee or oil, incense sticks, and camphor

• Roli, Kumkum, vermillion, flowers, fruits, sweets, Prasad

Optional / Devotional

• Durga Saptashati text, bell, conch, perfume, and Shringar (makeup) items

Note: Red is traditionally associated with Maa Durga, and many families prefer a red Chowki and red clothes—but this is a common preference, not a strict requirement.

Shardiya Navratri Puja Vidhi: Step by Step

Performing the Navratri Puja with the right steps can help you observe the festival with greater focus and devotion. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Daily Preparations

• Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes.

• Clean the house and the place of worship.

• Sprinkle holy water to purify the space.

• Hang a Toran (decorative mango-leaf garland) at the main entrance.

Preparing the Khetri (Earthen Pot)

• Put clean soil in an earthen pot and sow barley seeds, after washing and soaking them.

• Use moderate soil and water so the barley can sprout properly.

• Tie Mauli around the pot.

• Place the pot in the puja room and observe its growth over the nine days.

• A green sprout is generally considered auspicious. If the barley turns yellow, some families consult a priest for remedial measures, though practices vary.

• On the last day, immerse the Khetri in a pond or river, or place it under a Peepal tree near a temple.

Preparing the Kalash

• Fill a copper Kalash with water and add a few drops of Ganga water, if available.

• Tie Mauli around the neck of the Kalash.

• Place mango or Ashoka leaves around the opening.

• Place a coconut wrapped in red cloth on top and tie it with Mauli.

• Add seven types of grains, coins, Durva grass, Akshat, betel nut, and Ittar inside the Kalash.

Setting Up the Puja

• Install a Chowki and place the idol or image of Goddess Durga on it.

• Light a Diya next to the idol; you may also keep images of the nine forms nearby.

• Invoke Lord Ganesha first, then light the Akhand Jyot (lamp) in the name of Goddess Durga.

• Take a Sankalp (vow) to observe the fasts and rituals sincerely.

Daily Worship and Fasting Guidelines

• Offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and Prasad to the Goddess.

• Light incense sticks and perform Aarti daily.

• Recite Durga Saptashati with devotion.

• Distribute Prasad after the puja.

• Observe fasts with dedication, maintaining purity of mind and body.

• Worship the corresponding form of the Goddess each day with flowers, fruits, and sweets.

• Chant mantras and sing bhajans throughout the festival.

Dos and Don'ts for Shardiya Navratri

Dos

• Perform Ghatasthapana on Pratipada within the auspicious muhurat.

• Bathe early and keep yourself and the puja area clean; purify the space with water or incense.

• If fasting, use sattvic ingredients such as Sendha Namak (rock salt) and avoid prohibited grains.

• Recite Durga Saptashati or other devotional texts and perform daily Aarti.

• Many families keep an Akhand Jyot (continuous lamp) lit through the nine days.

Don'ts

• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicants during Navratri.

• Avoid tamasic foods such as non-vegetarian items, onion, garlic, eggs, and mushrooms. Those observing a vrat also avoid regular grains like wheat, rice, lentils, and semolina.

• Many traditions advise against cutting hair or nails, or shaving, during the nine days.

• Avoid harsh speech, anger, and conflict; maintain purity of thought, especially during puja.

• Many devotees also avoid leather products during the vrat.

Regional Variations: Durga Puja and Beyond

In West Bengal, Durga Puja's main public rituals are concentrated on Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami—that is, days six through ten of the festival—with Sandhi Puja observed at the junction of Ashtami and Navami. In Gujarat, the festival is marked by nightly Garba and Dandiya Raas, while other regions blend both worship-focused and celebratory traditions.

Closing Note

Shardiya Navratri is celebrated with deep devotion, prayer, and contemplation across India. For personalized guidance on timings or rituals specific to your family tradition, consider consulting a qualified priest or astrologer.

To know more about the festival and seek expert advice from astrologers, connect with certified astrologers only at Astroyogi!