Sharadiya Navratri 2026

Sun, 11 October 2026 · Varanasi time (IST)

1. Day 1·Sun, 11 OctoberMain muhurat · 5:54 – 9:47 am

   Ghatasthapana

   Colour OrangeMaa Shailputri

   The first form of Goddess Durga. Daughter of the Himalayas, she rides the bull Nandi and carries a trident and lotus.

   Prasadam: Pure Desi Ghee

   ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:54 am

   Sunset

   5:34 pm

   Abhijit

   11:21 am – 12:08 pm

   That day's panchang: Sun, 11 October

2. Day 2·Mon, 12 October

   Dwitiya

   Colour WhiteMaa Brahmacharini

   The ascetic form of the Goddess who practiced intense penance to win Lord Shiva as her husband.

   Prasadam: Sugar

   ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:54 am

   Sunset

   5:34 pm

   Abhijit

   11:21 am – 12:07 pm

   That day's panchang: Mon, 12 October

3. Day 3·Tue, 13 October

   Tritiya

   Colour RedMaa Chandraghanta

   The warrior form adorned with a crescent moon on her forehead. She rides a tiger and has ten arms.

   Prasadam: Milk

   ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:55 am

   Sunset

   5:33 pm

   Abhijit

   11:20 am – 12:07 pm

   That day's panchang: Tue, 13 October

4. Day 4·Wed, 14 October

   Chaturthi

   Colour Royal BlueMaa Kushmanda

   The creator of the universe with her divine smile. Her name means 'cosmic egg' — she created the world with her laughter.

   Prasadam: Malpua

   ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:55 am

   Sunset

   5:32 pm

   That day's panchang: Wed, 14 October

5. Day 5·Thu, 15 October

   Panchami

   Colour YellowMaa Skandamata

   Mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda). She sits on a lotus with her son in her lap, symbolizing motherly love.

   Prasadam: Banana

   ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:56 am

   Sunset

   5:31 pm

   Abhijit

   11:20 am – 12:06 pm

   That day's panchang: Thu, 15 October

6. Day 6·Fri, 16 October

   Shashthi

   Colour GreenMaa Katyayani

   Born to sage Katyayana, she is the warrior form who slayed the demon Mahishasura.

   Prasadam: Honey

   ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:56 am

   Sunset

   5:30 pm

   Abhijit

   11:20 am – 12:06 pm

   That day's panchang: Fri, 16 October

7. Day 7·Sat, 17 October

   Saptami

   Colour GreyMaa Kaalratri

   The fiercest form of Durga — dark-complexioned with wild hair. She destroys ignorance and darkness.

   Prasadam: Jaggery

   ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:57 am

   Sunset

   5:29 pm

   Abhijit

   11:20 am – 12:06 pm

   That day's panchang: Sat, 17 October
8. 18 October · the festival continues

9. Day 8·Mon, 19 October·at sunrise

   Ashtami

   Colour PurpleMaa Mahagauri

   The extremely fair and radiant form. After severe penance, Lord Shiva cleansed her with Ganga water, making her brilliantly white.

   Prasadam: Coconut

   ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:58 am

   Sunset

   5:27 pm

   Abhijit

   11:19 am – 12:05 pm

   That day's panchang: Mon, 19 October

10. Day 9·Mon, 19 October·afternoon

    Navami

    Colour Peacock GreenMaa Siddhidatri

    The granter of all siddhis (supernatural powers). Even Lord Shiva attained his powers through her grace.

    Prasadam: Sesame Seeds

    ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः

Tithi

Pratipada, then Dwitiya

Nakshatra

Chitra

Yoga

Vaidhriti

Karana

Kimstughna

Paksha

Shukla

Masa

Ashwina

Tithi

PratipadaFrom 10 October, 9:19 pmUntil 11 October, 9:31 pmThen Dwitiya · until 12 October, 10:13 pm

Nakshatra

ChitraFrom 10 October, 9:42 pmUntil 11 October, 10:32 pm

It honors the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura and concludes with Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

Rituals

Perform Ghatasthapana on Day 1 in the morning's Ghatasthapana Muhurat (the first third of the day while Pratipada holds), or else at the Abhijit Muhurta. Observe fasting for 9 days. Worship one form of Devi each day. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami feature special pujas and havan. Conclude with Kanya Puja.

Fasting

Strict fasting for 9 days. Satvic food only — no onion, garlic, grains. Fruits, milk, and sendha namak (rock salt) are permitted.

Varanasi's Durga Puja celebrations during Sharadiya Navratri are grand. Pandals are set up across the city. The Bengali community organizes vibrant celebrations at Dashashwamedh Ghat area. Ramnagar's Ramlila — the world's oldest — runs concurrently.