Festivals / Sharad Navratri

Sharad Navratri

Ashwina Shukla Pratipada · Durga (the nine forms of the Goddess)

Sunday, 11 October 2026
Also known as Durga Puja begins, Navaratri

Significance

Nine nights of the Goddess — the most widely kept Navratri — honouring Durga in nine forms, culminating in Dussehra. A season of fasting, dance, and the worship of Shakti.

The story behind Sharad Navratri

The gods, unable to defeat the shape-shifting buffalo-demon Mahishasura, poured their energies into a single radiant Goddess — Durga, armed by each of them. For nine nights she battled him, and on the tenth she prevailed. Navratri relives those nine nights of gathering power before the victory.

How Sharad Navratri is observed

  • Ghatasthapana — installing the sacred pot and sowing barley on day one.
  • Worship of a different form of Durga each of the nine nights.
  • Garba and Dandiya dance, especially in Gujarat.
  • Fasting, and Kanya Pujan (honouring young girls) toward the end.

Puja Vidhi & Prayers

Watch the step-by-step puja vidhi, aarti, and prayers for Sharad Navratri.

▶ Watch Sharad Navratri Puja Vidhi & Prayers on YouTube
How the date is fixed: Begins on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina. Nine nights leading to Durga Ashtami/Navami and Dussehra.

Sharad Navratri dates (20152035)

YearDateDay
201513 October 2015Tuesday
20161 October 2016Saturday
201721 September 2017Thursday
201810 October 2018Wednesday
201929 September 2019Sunday
202017 October 2020Saturday
20217 October 2021Thursday
202226 September 2022Monday
202315 October 2023Sunday
20243 October 2024Thursday
202522 September 2025Monday
202611 October 2026Sunday
202730 October 2027Saturday
202817 November 2028Friday
20298 October 2029Monday
203028 September 2030Saturday
203117 October 2031Friday
20325 October 2032Tuesday
203324 September 2033Saturday
203413 October 2034Friday
20352 October 2035Tuesday

Dates are computed from precise sidereal (Lahiri) astronomy for a New Delhi reference and may vary by ±1 day for some evening/midnight festivals depending on your location and regional tradition — the timings above adjust to where you are.