Navratri Begins

festivals

Also known as: Shaarad Navaratra, Navratri Begins

Quick Overview

Date in 2026: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Pratipada (Purnimanta)
Tithi begins / ends: 09:20 PM, Oct 10 to 09:32 PM, Oct 11
Lunar month: Ashwin · Shukla Paksha
Also on this tithi: Shraddha

Select Calendar Year

2026 Festival Date & Muhurta

Navratri Begins

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Lunar Month: Ashwin

Tithi / Muhurta Timings

Tithi Begins:09:20 PM, Oct 10

Tithi Ends:09:32 PM, Oct 11

Navratri Begins at a Glance

Navratri Begins is fixed by the lunar calendar to Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the 1st tithi of the waxing (Shukla) fortnight of Ashwin.

Tithi rule: Ashwin Shukla Pratipada (Purnimanta)Shukla Pratipada Ashwin month
Tithi swami and group: Agni · Nanda Tithi
Also on this tithi: Shraddha

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada in Coming Years

Year	Tithi begins	Tithi ends
2027	08:06 AM, Thu, Sep 30	05:36 AM, Fri, Oct 1
2028	11:54 PM, Mon, Sep 18	08:00 PM, Tue, Sep 19
2029	12:45 AM, Mon, Oct 8	08:55 PM, Mon, Oct 8
2030	03:25 PM, Fri, Sep 27	01:10 PM, Sat, Sep 28
2031	01:51 PM, Thu, Oct 16	01:00 PM, Fri, Oct 17

Panchanga on This Day

Navratri Begins · Oct 10, 2026

VaaraShanivara

TithiAmavasya Amavasya09:36 PM → 09:20 PM

NakshatraHasta09:19 PM → 09:42 PM

YogaIndra

KaranNaga

Lunar MonthBhadrapada

Brahma Muhurta04:40 AM → 05:29 AM

Abhijit Muhurta11:44 AM → 12:31 PM

Nishita Muhurta11:43 PM → 12:33 AM

Rahu Kaal09:13 AM → 10:40 AM

New Delhi, IndiaFull Dainik Panchang →

About Navratri Begins

Sharad Navratri, the most widely celebrated Navratri, occurs during the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Ashvina month, typically in September or October. This nine-night festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine manifestations and culminates on Vijayadashami or Dussehra, celebrating the goddess's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival also symbolizes Lord Rama's triumph over Ravana, uniting the themes of feminine divine power and righteous heroism.

Each day of Sharad Navratri honors a distinct form of the goddess: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Devotees install the Kalash (Ghatasthapana), observe fasts, chant the Durga Saptashati, and participate in vibrant cultural events such as Garba and Dandiya, especially in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. In West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, the festival transforms into Durga Puja, marked by elaborately crafted idols, grand pandals, and community celebrations.

Sharad Navratri holds profound astrological and spiritual significance. It falls at the juncture of seasons when the Sun begins its southward journey (Dakshinayana), and the goddess's energy is believed to be most accessible. The festival is a time for inner purification, spiritual discipline, and seeking the Divine Mother's blessings for protection from negative forces, success in endeavors, and the awakening of higher consciousness.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Sharad Navratri involves nine days of Devi worship, fasting, scriptural recitation, Kanya Pujan, and celebration of the goddess's victory over evil.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Perform Ghatasthapana on Pratipada during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat, installing a Kalash filled with water over a bed of barley seeds.
Observe fasting for nine days; permitted foods include fruits, milk, Sabudana, Kuttu flour, Singhara flour, and rock salt dishes.
Worship the daily form of Durga with the associated color and offerings, such as red flowers for Katyayani and white for Mahagauri.
Recite the Durga Saptashati, Durga Chalisa, or Devi Kavach each day, preferably during morning or evening Puja.
Maintain celibacy, avoid alcohol, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food, and speak truthfully throughout Navratri.
On Ashtami or Navami, perform Kanya Pujan and Sandhi Puja; on Dashami, immerse the Kalash and celebrate Vijayadashami.

Parana (Breaking Fast) Note: The Navratri fast is concluded on Dashami after Vijayadashami Puja, immersion of the Kalash, and distribution of Prasad.

Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps

Essential Puja Samagri:

Kalash and coconutBarley seedsMango leavesRed and yellow flowersKumkumTurmericSandalwood pasteIncense and lampDurga SaptashatiFruits and sweetsClothes and gifts for Kanya Pujan

Puja Procedure:

Prepare the Ghatasthapana altar with barley seeds, a Kalash, mango leaves, and a coconut.
Invoke Goddess Durga and perform daily Abhishekam, Alankar, and Aarti.
Offer specific flowers and Naivedya according to the day's Devi form.
Recite Durga Saptashati and perform Sandhi Puja during the Ashtami-Navami transition.
On Dashami, perform Vijayadashami Puja and immerse the Kalash in clean water.

Vrat Katha: Durga's Victory Over Mahishasura

Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, performed severe austerities and received a boon from Lord Brahma that no man could kill him.

Armed with this invincibility, he defeated the gods and usurped the heavens, spreading chaos and oppression.

The Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—combined their powers to create Goddess Durga, the invincible warrior goddess.

After a fierce nine-day battle, Durga destroyed Mahishasura, restoring dharma and establishing her eternal protection over the cosmos.

Navratri Begins: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which tithi is Navratri Begins observed on?

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada; its swami is Agni, a Nanda Tithi.

Q: When does the Navratri Begins tithi begin and end in 2026?

Shukla Pratipada: 09:20 PM, Sat, Oct 10, 2026 to 09:32 PM, Sun, Oct 11, 2026 (IST).

Q: When is the Navratri Begins tithi in 2027?

Ashwin Shukla Pratipada: 08:06 AM, Thu, Sep 30, 2027 to 05:36 AM, Fri, Oct 1, 2027 (IST).

Q: Which other observances fall on the same tithi as Navratri Begins?

Shraddha, also on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada.

Q: Why is Sharad Navratri more popular than Chaitra Navratri?

Sharad Navratri coincides with the post-monsoon harvest season and major regional festivals like Durga Puja and Dussehra, making it widely celebrated across India.

Q: What is Sandhi Puja?

Sandhi Puja is performed during the 48-minute junction of Ashtami and Navami, believed to be the precise moment Durga killed Mahishasura and Chandika manifested.

Q: Can Sharad Navratri be celebrated without fasting?

Yes, devotees can observe the festival through daily Puja, chanting, visiting temples, and maintaining a satvik lifestyle even without strict fasting.