Sharad Navratri runs from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October, and Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday 20 October. Start with the nine forms of Durga, then explore fasting foods, Garba nights, puja, regional traditions and family activities.
Nine nights from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October, with Vijayadashami on Tuesday 20 October.
| Date | Day | Navadurga form | Popular color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Shailaputri | Orange | |
| Day 2 | Brahmacharini | White | |
| Day 3 | Chandraghanta | Red | |
| Day 4 | Kushmanda | Royal Blue | |
| Day 5 | Skandamata | Yellow | |
| Day 6 | Katyayani | Green | |
| Day 7 | Kalaratri | Grey | |
| Day 8 | Mahagauri | Purple | |
| Day 9 | Siddhidatri | Peacock Green | |
| Ashtami | Durga Ashtami; Sandhi Puja falls at the Ashtami–Navami junction | ||
| Day 10 | Vijayadashami / Dussehra | ||
Dates: Drik Panchang. Ghatasthapana and Sandhi Puja times are tithi-based and change by city, so check a local panchang for exact muhurat. The color sequence is a popular custom, not a religious requirement; see what each color means.
Nine topics, from the meaning of the festival and the nine forms of Durga to vrat recipes, Garba nights, regional traditions and celebrating abroad.
Start here: what Navratri means, Sharad Navratri 2026 dates, the nine colors, the Mahishasura Mardini story, key words and a first-timer's guide.
Day-by-day guides to the nine forms of Durga for Navratri 2026, from Shailaputri on 11 October to Siddhidatri on 19 October, with mantras, colors and offerings.
What to eat and avoid during the Navratri vrat, plus sabudana khichdi, kuttu puri, snacks, desserts, a 9-day meal plan and tips to keep your energy up.
Basic Garba steps, Garba vs Dandiya, dance-night etiquette, footwear and stamina, songs, dandiya sticks and how to organize a neighborhood Garba night.
How India celebrates Navratri: Garba in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Bengal, Golu in Tamil Nadu, Mysore Dasara, Kullu Dussehra, Bathukamma and Vidyarambham.
Navratri outfit ideas for women, men and kids, styling the nine 2026 colors, jewelry, hairstyles, sweat-proof Garba makeup and outfit care.
Step-by-step Navratri puja guides: Ghatasthapana, the puja thali, daily aarti, mantras, Akhand Jyot, Sandhi Puja, Kanya Pujan, Ayudha Puja and visarjan.
Explain Navratri to children with stories, crafts and games: DIY garbi pots, Garba for kids, a 9-day family challenge, classroom ideas and printables.
Celebrate Navratri abroad, at the office or online: diaspora stories, eco-friendly decor, fasting on a busy schedule, photography and local artisans.
Navratri is a family of related Hindu festival traditions rather than one uniform script. The shared themes include devotion to Shakti, seasonal renewal, discipline, music, dance and the victory of dharma over destructive forces. The details (fasting ingredients, the Goddess forms emphasized, dance customs, public events and final-day rituals) differ by region and household.
These guides name those differences instead of presenting one community’s practice as universal. Read about Garba in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Bengal, Golu in Tamil Nadu and Mysore Dasara. When a ritual is tied to tithi, sunrise, moonrise or a local event schedule, check a source for your own city and tradition.
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October. Durga Ashtami falls on 18 October, Maha Navami on 19 October and Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday 20 October. Tithi edges can shift by a day outside India, so check a local panchang for your city.
No. Regional traditions differ sharply. Garba in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Bengal, Golu in Tamil Nadu, Bathukamma in Telangana and Ayudha Puja in South India overlap the season but are not interchangeable.
No. Fasting is voluntary and varies by family, region, health needs and personal devotion. Some people fast on selected days, modify ingredients or do not fast at all.
No. The annual color sequence is a popular custom, especially in parts of western India. It is festive rather than a universal religious requirement.
No. Tithi-sensitive timings such as Ghatasthapana and Sandhi Puja depend on location and local panchang calculations.
They overlap in the autumn Shakti festival season, but Durga Puja has a distinct Bengali ritual and cultural structure. It should not be treated as merely another name for all Navratri traditions.
How does your family celebrate Navratri? Readers' notes appear here after review.
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