Navratri Begins 11 October: Dates, Muhurat, What to Expect
Navratri Begins on Sunday 11 October
Millions of devotees across India and abroad are preparing for Sharad Navratri, which begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026 and runs for nine days until 19 October. Vijayadashami, also called Dussehra, follows on Tuesday, 20 October, according to Gulf News, Brut and other festival calendars.
Key Dates
| Occasion | Date |
|---|---|
| Navratri Day 1 and Ghatasthapana | Sunday, 11 October |
| Durga Ashtami | Sunday, 18 October |
| Maha Navami | Monday, 19 October |
| Dussehra | Tuesday, 20 October |
The festival starts on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Ashwin. It is the autumn counterpart of Chaitra Navratri, which ran from 19 to 27 March this year.
Ghatasthapana Timings
The festival opens with Ghatasthapana, the ritual in which a sacred pot, or kalash, is installed at home or in temples. Brut reports a muhurat of 6:19 am to 10:12 am in Delhi, with an additional Abhijit muhurat from 11:44 am to 12:31 pm. Another publication lists slightly different morning times, and panchang sources stress that timings vary by city. Devotees should check a local panchang or temple.
Nine Days, Nine Forms
Over the nine days, worshippers honour the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga. The festival begins with Shailputri and ends with Siddhidatri. Many devotees also follow a daily colour, and because Day 1 falls on a Sunday this year, the commonly published sequence opens with orange. Colour customs differ across communities and are optional.
How It Is Celebrated
Traditions vary widely across regions:
- Fasting: Some devotees fast for all nine days, while others fast on the first and last days only. Popular fasting foods include sabudana, samak rice, buckwheat flour, potatoes, fruit and dairy.
- Garba and Dandiya: In Gujarat and western India, the nights are filled with circle dances and live music.
- Durga Puja pandals: Large clay idols of the goddess are displayed in decorated pandals and visited by crowds during the final days.
- Ramlila: In northern India, performances retelling the story of Lord Rama run through the nine nights and lead up to Dussehra.
Gulf News notes that people in the UAE are also planning outfits, fasting menus and garba nights, showing how widely the festival is celebrated across the diaspora.
Practical Advice for Devotees
- Check the Ghatasthapana time for your city.
- Gather puja items such as the kalash, coconut, mango leaves and barley seeds ahead of time.
- Plan fasting meals and stay hydrated.
- People who are pregnant, elderly or managing a health condition should consult a doctor before fasting.
- Follow venue rules at temples and garba events.
What to Watch
The peak days are Ashtami and Navami on 18 and 19 October, when many families hold Kanya Pujan and temples see their largest crowds. Dussehra on 20 October will bring effigy-burning events in many cities.
Dates and timings follow commonly published panchang sources and may differ by region. Confirm with a local panchang or temple.