2026 Sharad Navratri · Mumbai

Sharad Navratri is the nine-night autumn festival of Goddess Durga, starting on Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin. In 2026 it began on Sunday, 11 October with Ghatasthapana, and it ends with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

When is Navratri in 2026, 2027 and 2028?

Navratri starts on the day Ashwin Shukla Pratipada is running at sunrise. The tenth day, Vijayadashami, closes the festival.

Dates are calculated for Mumbai (IST). Navratri does not always last exactly nine calendar days: a tithi can be skipped or stretch across two sunrises, so Ashtami and Navami sometimes fall on the same day. The calculator above shows each day's tithi for your city.

There are four Navratris in the Hindu year, but Sharad Navratri in autumn and Chaitra Navratri in spring are the two most widely kept. This page covers Sharad Navratri.

Significance and story

Durga and Mahishasura

The central story comes from the Devi Mahatmya, part of the Markandeya Purana. The buffalo demon Mahishasura had a boon that no man or god could kill him, and he drove the gods out of heaven. The gods pooled their power, and from their combined light Durga appeared, armed with each god's weapon and riding a lion. She fought Mahishasura for nine days and killed him on the tenth. Navratri honours those nine nights of battle, and Vijayadashami celebrates her victory.

Rama's prayer to the goddess

A second tradition, popular in Bengal, says Rama worshipped Durga out of season, in autumn, before his final battle with Ravana. This "untimely awakening" (Akal Bodhan) of the goddess is one reason the great autumn Durga Puja exists, and why Vijayadashami is also the day Rama defeated Ravana.

The nine forms of Durga

Each night is dedicated to one form of the goddess, together called the Navadurga:

1. Shailaputri, daughter of the mountains
2. Brahmacharini, the ascetic
3. Chandraghanta, who wears a crescent moon like a bell
4. Kushmanda, said to have created the universe with her smile
5. Skandamata, mother of Kartikeya
6. Katyayani, the warrior form who slew Mahishasura
7. Kalaratri, the fierce destroyer of darkness
8. Mahagauri, radiant and calm
9. Siddhidatri, giver of spiritual powers

The nine nights are often grouped in threes, honouring Durga for strength, Lakshmi for prosperity and Saraswati for wisdom.

How to do Navratri puja (vidhi)

1. Ghatasthapana on day one: In the morning of Pratipada, at the muhurat for your city, spread clean soil in a wide earthen tray and sow barley or other grain seeds in it.
2. Place a kalash filled with water in the centre. Add a coin, betel nut and rice, top it with mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red cloth, and tie a sacred thread (mauli) around its neck.
3. Invite the goddess into the kalash with a short prayer and take a sankalpa for the nine days. Many homes also light an akhand jyoti, a ghee lamp kept burning without a break until the end.
4. Every day: Bathe, worship the day's form of Durga with red flowers, kumkum, incense, a lamp and food offerings, and water the sprouting seeds.
5. Read from the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) or chant a Durga mantra, then perform aarti morning and evening.
6. Fast according to your family's custom. Some people eat one meal a day, others only fruit, milk and fasting foods such as sabudana or buckwheat.
7. Ashtami or Navami: Perform Kanya Puja by inviting nine young girls (often with one boy, as Bhairava), washing their feet, and serving them puri, chana and halwa with small gifts.
8. Dashami: Offer a final puja, remove the kalash with respect, share the sprouted grain as a blessing, and break the fast.

Regional variations

• Gujarat: Navratri means garba and dandiya raas. People dance in circles around a lamp or image of the goddess until late at night.
• West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Tripura: The last five days become Durga Puja, with huge pandals, the dhak drum and immersion on Dashami after married women share sindoor in Sindoor Khela.
• Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: Families set up Golu (Bommai Kolu), stepped displays of dolls, and invite neighbours over. The ninth day is Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja, when tools, books and vehicles are honoured.
• Karnataka: Mysuru Dasara is the state festival, with the palace lit up and a grand procession on Vijayadashami.
• Kerala: Books are placed before Saraswati, and on Vijayadashami young children write their first letters in Vidyarambham.
• North India: Ramlila performances run through the nights, ending with Ravana's effigy burned on Dussehra. Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami is common in most homes.

Frequently asked questions

Updated on 16 October 2026. Dates are calculated for Mumbai (IST); the calculator above gives timings for your city.