Sharadiya Navratri 2028

Tue, 19 September 2028 · Varanasi time (IST)

1. Day 1·Tue, 19 SeptemberMain muhurat · 5:45 – 7:52 am

   Ghatasthapana

   Colour RedMaa 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

   5:45 am

   Sunset

   5:57 pm

   Abhijit

   11:27 am – 12:15 pm

   That day's panchang: Tue, 19 September

2. Day 2·Wed, 20 September

   Dwitiya

   Colour Royal BlueMaa 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

   5:46 am

   Sunset

   5:56 pm

   That day's panchang: Wed, 20 September

3. Day 3·Thu, 21 September

   Tritiya

   Colour YellowMaa 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

   5:46 am

   Sunset

   5:55 pm

   Abhijit

   11:26 am – 12:15 pm

   That day's panchang: Thu, 21 September

4. Day 4·Fri, 22 September

   Chaturthi

   Colour GreenMaa 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

   5:46 am

   Sunset

   5:54 pm

   Abhijit

   11:26 am – 12:14 pm

   That day's panchang: Fri, 22 September

5. Day 5·Sat, 23 September

   Panchami

   Colour GreyMaa 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

   5:47 am

   Sunset

   5:53 pm

   Abhijit

   11:25 am – 12:14 pm

   That day's panchang: Sat, 23 September

6. Day 6·Sun, 24 September

   Shashthi

   Colour OrangeMaa Katyayani

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

   Prasadam: Honey

   ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:47 am

   Sunset

   5:52 pm

   Abhijit

   11:25 am – 12:13 pm

   That day's panchang: Sun, 24 September

7. Day 7·Mon, 25 September

   Saptami

   Colour WhiteMaa Kaalratri

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

   Prasadam: Jaggery

   ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:47 am

   Sunset

   5:51 pm

   Abhijit

   11:25 am – 12:13 pm

   That day's panchang: Mon, 25 September

8. Day 8·Tue, 26 September·at sunrise

   Ashtami

   Colour PinkMaa 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

   5:48 am

   Sunset

   5:49 pm

   Abhijit

   11:25 am – 12:13 pm

   That day's panchang: Tue, 26 September

9. Day 9·Tue, 26 September·afternoon

   Navami

   Colour Sky BlueMaa 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

Uttara Phalguni

Yoga

Shukla

Karana

Kimstughna

Paksha

Shukla

Masa

Ashwina

Tithi

PratipadaFrom 18 September, 11:53 pmUntil 19 September, 8:00 pmThen Dwitiya · until 20 September, 4:19 pm

Nakshatra

Uttara PhalguniFrom 18 September, 3:22 pmUntil 19 September, 12:16 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.