Navratri 2026

What this countdown tracks

Sharad Navratri 2026 – the nine-night Hindu festival devoted to the goddess Durga and her nine forms (Navadurga) – runs from Sunday October 11 to Monday October 19, 2026, culminating in Dussehra on October 20. Observed across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Indian diaspora.

About Navratri

Navratri (literally "nine nights") is the longest of the major Hindu festivals, and Sharad Navratri – the autumn version, observed in the Hindu month of Ashvin – is by far the most widely celebrated. The festival is devoted to the goddess Durga in her nine forms (the Navadurga), with each of the nine nights dedicated to a specific manifestation: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

The story behind Navratri is the Devi Mahatmya, in which the buffalo demon Mahishasura received a boon making him invulnerable to all male gods and creatures. To defeat him, the male gods pooled their energy and weapons into the form of Durga – the warrior goddess who rode a lion and carried Shiva's trident, Vishnu's chakra, Indra's vajra, and the weapons of every other god. Durga's nine-day battle with Mahishasura ended with his death on the tenth day, observed as Vijayadashami / Dussehra.

There are technically four Navratris in the Hindu calendar – Chaitra (spring), Sharad (autumn), and two "Gupta Navratris" in winter and summer that are observed mainly by tantric practitioners. Sharad Navratri is the most prominent across India; in Gujarat it is the largest cultural event of the year; in West Bengal, the last five days are observed as Durga Puja; and in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, the festival takes the form of Bommai Kolu / Gombe Habba doll displays.

How it's observed

In Gujarat and Mumbai, the nine nights are dominated by garba and dandiya raas – traditional folk dances performed in concentric circles around an image or icon of the goddess. Public garba events run from 9 PM to past midnight; women wear chaniya cholis, men wear kediyu kurtas, and dance halls book out months in advance. The largest garba in the world – traditionally held in Vadodara – attracts upwards of 50,000 dancers per night.

In West Bengal, the last five days (Shashthi to Dashami) are observed as Durga Puja – elaborate temporary pavilions (pandals) are erected in every neighbourhood, each housing artistically sculpted Durga idols and themed installations. Some of Kolkata's pandals are now urban-design landmarks visited by hundreds of thousands of people. Durga Puja was inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2021.

In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, the festival is observed through Bommai Kolu / Gombe Habba – tiered displays of dolls representing gods, kings, animals, and scenes from epics, set up in homes and visited by friends and relatives. In north India, the kanya pujan (worship of nine young girls representing the nine forms of Durga) is performed on Ashtami (Day 8) or Navami (Day 9), with the girls fed puri, halwa, and chana.

The first nine days of Navratri are traditionally a fasting period for many Hindus – grains, onion, garlic, and meat are avoided; meals are made of buckwheat (kuttu), water-chestnut (singhara), sago (sabudana), and fruits.

Why this date specifically

Sharad Navratri begins on the first day (Pratipada) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashvin and runs for nine nights, ending on Navami (Day 9) and concluding on Dashami / Dussehra. In 2026, Ashvin Shukla Pratipada falls on October 11 in Indian Standard Time, making Sunday October 11 the start of Navratri and Tuesday October 20 the day of Vijayadashami. The Hindu calendar's eleven-day annual lunar drift moves Navratri earlier each year – it begins September 30 in 2027 and September 19 in 2028.

What to watch for / notable observances in 2026

• October 11 – Day 1 (Shailputri puja); Ghatasthapana ritual at home
• October 17 – Maha Saptami; major Durga Puja pandals open in Kolkata
• October 18 – Maha Ashtami; kanya pujan in north India; Sandhi Puja in Bengal
• October 19 – Maha Navami; Ayudha Puja in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
• October 20 – Vijayadashami / Dussehra; Durga immersion and Ravana effigy burnings
• Largest garba and dandiya events – Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Surat
• Major public Durga Puja in Kolkata, Delhi (CR Park), and Bengaluru

Related festivals to track

Navratri 2026 leads directly into Dussehra 2026 on October 20 and opens the autumn arc that culminates in Karwa Chauth 2026 and Diwali 2026. The family overview is at the Hindu festival hub.

FAQ

When is Navratri in 2026? Sharad Navratri runs from Sunday October 11 to Monday October 19, 2026, with Dussehra on October 20.

How is Navratri observed? Through nine nights of Durga worship, garba and dandiya dance in Gujarat, Durga Puja pandals in Bengal, Bommai Kolu in south India, fasting, and kanya pujan on Ashtami or Navami.

Is Navratri a public holiday? Most Indian states observe Ashtami, Navami, and Dussehra (October 18–20) as public holidays during this stretch; the full nine days are not.

What is the typical greeting? "Shubh Navratri" or "Happy Navratri"; in Bengal, "Shubho Pujo" during Durga Puja days.