Shardiya Navratri 2026: Dates, Ghatasthapana & Dussehra
By Naam Jaap Editorial Team · July 6, 2026 · 3 min read
Navratri — "nine nights" — is the great festival of the Divine Mother, Goddess Durga. Across nine nights, devotees worship her nine forms, fast, dance the garba, and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Here are the dates for Shardiya Navratri 2026 and everything you need to observe it.
Shardiya Navratri 2026 dates
| Day | 2026 date |
|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana / Day 1 | Sunday, 11 October 2026 |
| Durga Ashtami | Sunday, 18 October 2026 |
| Maha Navami | Monday, 19 October 2026 |
| Vijayadashami (Dussehra) | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 |
Shardiya Navratri runs from 11 to 19 October 2026, culminating in Dussehra on 20 October.
Timings vary by city. Confirm the Ghatasthapana and Ashtami–Navami muhurat for your location.
What is Navratri?
Shardiya Navratri (the autumn Navratri) falls in the month of Ashwin and is the most widely celebrated of the year. It honours Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura — a celebration of shakti (divine feminine power) and the triumph of good over evil.
It begins with Ghatasthapana — the installation of a sacred kalash (pot) and the sowing of barley seeds — which invokes the Goddess for the nine days.
The nine forms of Durga (Navadurga)
Each night is dedicated to one form of the Mother:
- Shailaputri — daughter of the mountains
- Brahmacharini — the ascetic
- Chandraghanta — the warrior with the crescent moon
- Kushmanda — creator of the cosmos
- Skandamata — mother of Kartikeya
- Katyayani — the fierce slayer of Mahishasura
- Kalaratri — the destroyer of darkness
- Mahagauri — the serene and pure
- Siddhidatri — the giver of perfection
Many devotees also honour a colour of the day and dress accordingly, and keep a fast through the nine days.
Ashtami, Navami and Kanya Pujan
The eighth (Ashtami) and ninth (Navami) days are the spiritual peak of Navratri. Many families perform Kanya Pujan (Kanjak) — worshipping young girls as living embodiments of the Goddess, washing their feet and offering them puri, halwa and chana.
Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
The tenth day, Dussehra, celebrates two great victories: Durga over Mahishasura and Lord Rama over Ravana. Effigies of Ravana are burned across the country, marking the victory of dharma over adharma. It is also considered one of the most auspicious days to begin something new.
Frequently asked questions
When does Navratri start in 2026?
Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October 2026, and runs until 19 October, followed by Dussehra on 20 October.
When is Dussehra 2026?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
What are the nine forms of Durga worshipped in Navratri?
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri — one for each of the nine nights.
When is Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami in 2026?
Durga Ashtami is on 18 October 2026 and Maha Navami on 19 October 2026.
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