Navratri — "nine nights" — celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. This is Sharad Navratri, the autumn observance in the lunar month of Ashwin and the most widely celebrated of the year's four Navratris, leading directly into Diwali and Karwa Chauth a few weeks later. Gujarat marks it with Garba and Dandiya, West Bengal with Durga Puja, and North India with Ramlila performances — one festival, several distinct regional expressions.
Brass Maa Symbol Diya (5 Inch)
Brass 8 Armed Maa Durga Idol Sitting on Lion
Navratri 2026: Day-by-Day Calendar
- Day 1 – 11 Oct (Sun), Pratipada: White. Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja.
- Day 2 – 12 Oct (Mon), Dwitiya: Red. Brahmacharini Puja.
- Day 3 – 13 Oct (Tue), Tritiya: Royal Blue. Chandraghanta Puja.
- Day 4 – 14 Oct (Wed), Chaturthi: Yellow. Kushmanda Puja.
- Day 5 – 15 Oct (Thu), Panchami: Green. Skandamata Puja.
- Day 6 – 16 Oct (Fri), Shashthi: Grey. Katyayani Puja.
- Day 7 – 17 Oct (Sat), Saptami: Orange. Kalaratri Puja.
- Day 8 – 18 Oct (Sun), Durga Ashtami: Peacock Green. Mahagauri Puja and Sandhi Puja, performed at the Ashtami-Navami junction.
- Day 9 – 19 Oct (Mon), Maha Navami: Pink. Siddhidatri Puja, Ayudha Puja, and Kanya Pujan.
- Day 10 – 20 Oct (Tue), Vijayadashami: Durga Visarjan and Navratri Parana.
Each colour and form corresponds to a distinct facet of Durga's power — from Shailputri's grounded strength on day one to Siddhidatri's spiritual perfection on the last.
Brass Turtle Inspired Loban Burner (4.5 Inch)
Brass Standing Durga Maa Murti with Lion ( 6 Inch)
Fasting Rules
- Allowed: Fruits, dry fruits, milk, yogurt, kuttu (buckwheat) and singhara (water chestnut) flour, samak rice, potatoes, and rock salt.
- Avoid: Onion, garlic, wheat, rice, lentils, non-vegetarian food, and regular table salt.
- Meals: Many devotees eat once daily, in the evening, prepared satvik — in ghee or oil, without onion or garlic.
- Breaking the fast: On Ashtami or Navami, via Kanya Pujan — offering food and gifts to young girls as living representations of the Goddess.
Brass Floral Meenakari Pooja Thali (10 Inch)
Conclusion
Navratri 2026 spans 11–20 October — nine nights of devotion expressed through colour, fasting, and worship of Durga's nine forms, closing with Dussehra's celebration of good over evil. Whether observed through Garba, Durga Puja, or quiet home ritual, the festival's core stays the same across every regional expression of it.
Also read: Navratri Decoration Ideas for Home Temples | Durga Puja Decoration with Brass Idols and Diyas | Budget-Friendly Navratri Decoration Ideas
