Sharad Navratri 2026: dates, the nine forms of Durga, and why this year has ten days
Ghatasthapana is on Sunday 11 October 2026 and Vijayadashami on 20 October. The tithi for each day, when to do kalash sthapana, and why Saptami runs across two sunrises this year.
Sharad Navratri begins on the day after Sarva Pitru Amavasya, on the Shukla Pratipada of Ashwin. In 2026 that is Sunday 11 October. The nine nights of the Goddess end with Maha Navami on 20 October, and Vijayadashami follows.
Day by day (New Delhi)
| Date | Tithi at sunrise | Form of Durga |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 11 Oct | Pratipada | Shailaputri — Ghatasthapana |
| Mon 12 Oct | Dwitiya | Brahmacharini |
| Tue 13 Oct | Tritiya | Chandraghanta |
| Wed 14 Oct | Chaturthi | Kushmanda |
| Thu 15 Oct | Panchami | Skandamata |
| Fri 16 Oct | Shashthi | Katyayani |
| Sat 17 Oct | Saptami | Kalaratri |
| Sun 18 Oct | Saptami (continues) | Kalaratri |
| Mon 19 Oct | Ashtami | Mahagauri — Durga Ashtami |
| Tue 20 Oct | Navami | Siddhidatri — Maha Navami |
Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is kept on the day Dashami is running in the afternoon (aparahna). In 2026 Dashami begins at about 12:50 pm on 20 October, so Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October in most north Indian panchangs, the same day as Navami. Some regional calendars keep it on the 21st; follow your local panchang.
Why ten days this year
Navratri has nine tithis, but a tithi is not the same length as a day. It can be as short as about 20 hours or as long as about 26.
The Saptami of 2026 begins at about 5:54 am on 17 October and ends at about 8:28 am on 18 October — so it is running at two sunrises. Both days are Saptami, and the festival stretches to ten days. In other years a tithi falls between two sunrises and is never "at sunrise" at all; then Navratri shrinks to eight days. Neither is a bad omen; it is just how the Sun and Moon move.
Ghatasthapana (kalash sthapana)
The kalash is installed on Pratipada morning, 11 October. The tradition prefers:
- the first third of the day after sunrise, while Pratipada is running, or
- Abhijit muhurat around midday, if the morning is missed.
In Delhi, sunrise on 11 October is about 6:19 am and Pratipada runs until about 9:31 pm, so the whole morning is available. Avoid Rahu Kaal, which on a Sunday is the late afternoon. The panchang shows Rahu Kaal and Abhijit for your city.
A simple sthapana: a clay pot with soil and barley (jau) seeds, a copper or brass kalash of water on it with mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red cloth, and a lamp (akhand jyoti) if you mean to keep it lit through the nine days.
The nine forms of Durga
- Shailaputri — daughter of the mountain, the first form of Parvati.
- Brahmacharini — the ascetic, representing tapas and discipline.
- Chandraghanta — with a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead.
- Kushmanda — who is said to have created the universe with her smile.
- Skandamata — mother of Kartikeya (Skanda).
- Katyayani — the warrior form, born to the sage Katyayana.
- Kalaratri — the fiercest form, who destroys fear and darkness.
- Mahagauri — radiant and calm.
- Siddhidatri — the giver of siddhis, accomplishments.
Kanya pujan and the fast
On Ashtami or Navami, many families invite young girls — usually nine, often with a young boy as Langur or Bhairav — wash their feet and serve them halwa, puri and black chana.
Fasting customs range from a full fast to one meal a day to simply avoiding grains, onion and garlic. Common Navratri foods include kuttu (buckwheat), singhara (water chestnut) flour, sabudana, potatoes and fruit. Fasting is a personal practice; anyone who is pregnant, diabetic or on medication should speak to a doctor first.
Common questions
Is Durga Ashtami on the 19th everywhere? Ashtami is running at sunrise on 19 October across India, so yes, though the exact tithi times vary a little by city.
When is Sandhi Puja? Sandhi Puja is performed in the 48 minutes where Ashtami ends and Navami begins. In 2026 that junction is at about 10:52 am on 19 October (Delhi), so the window is roughly 10:28 am to 11:16 am.
When is Karwa Chauth this year? Thursday 29 October 2026. The vrat calendar lists every vrat of the month with moonrise times.
Written by the Jyotishvanii editorial desk from classical sources. For a reading of your own chart, talk to an astrologer.
