Navratri

Four Navratris in a year

Navratri, "nine nights", begins on the first day (Pratipada) of the bright fortnight and runs to the ninth (Navami). It comes four times a year, but two are the great public festivals:

• Chaitra Navratri (March–April), at the start of the Hindu new year in the north; its ninth day is Ram Navami.
• Sharad (Shardiya) Navratri (September–October), in the month of Ashwin; it ends with Dussehra on the tenth day. This is the one most people mean by "Navratri".
• Gupt Navratris in Magha and Ashadha, kept quietly by practitioners of Shakta and tantric sadhana.

For this year's Sharad Navratri dates and muhurats, see Shardiya Navratri 2026.

Why Navratri is celebrated

The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) tells how the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, granted a boon that no man or god could kill him, drove the gods from heaven. Their combined anger took shape as the Goddess Durga, armed with all their weapons, who fought him for nine days and killed him on the tenth — Vijayadashami. The nine nights honour her battle, and the Goddess's victory over Shumbha, Nishumbha and other demons told in the same text. In the north, the Ashwin Navratri is also linked with Rama, who worshipped the Goddess before his battle with Ravana, which is why Ramlila is staged on these nights and ends with Dussehra.

Ghatasthapana: setting up the kalash

On the first morning, at the auspicious muhurat, a kalash (pot) of water is installed as the seat of the Goddess, often on a bed of soil sown with barley (jau) that sprouts over the nine days. An akhand jyoti, a lamp kept burning through all nine days, is lit in many homes. The steps are explained in Navratri kalash sthapana, vrat and puja vidhi.

The nine forms of Durga

Each day is dedicated to one of the Navadurga, the nine forms of the Goddess:

1. Maa Shailputri
2. Maa Brahmacharini
3. Maa Chandraghanta
4. Maa Kushmanda
5. Maa Skandamata
6. Maa Katyayani
7. Maa Kalaratri
8. Maa Mahagauri
9. Maa Siddhidatri

Each page gives that day's puja, colour, bhog and mantra.

The fast and the daily puja

Many keep a fast for all nine days; others fast on the first and last days, or on Ashtami. The fast usually allows fruit, milk, and vrat foods such as kuttu, singhara, samak rice, sabudana and potatoes, with rock salt (sendha namak) instead of common salt, and no onion, garlic or grains. The daily puja includes reading from the Durga Saptashati — or the shorter Siddha Kunjika Stotram or Durga Saptashloki — the Navarna mantra, the Durga Chalisa, and the aarti Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali or Jai Ambe Gauri.

Kanya pujan

On Ashtami or Navami, nine young girls (usually between two and ten years old), seen as forms of the Goddess, are invited home. Their feet are washed, they are given a tilak and red chunri, fed halwa, puri and black chana, and given gifts before they leave; a young boy is often included as Bhairav or Langur. Many families break the Navratri fast after kanya pujan.

How the country celebrates

• Gujarat: nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas, danced in circles around a lamp or image of the Goddess.
• Bengal and the east: Durga Puja, with pandals and images of Durga with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartikeya, from Shashthi to Vijayadashami, when the images are immersed.
• Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra: Golu or Bommai Kolu, stepped displays of dolls; Saraswati is worshipped with books and tools (Ayudha Puja) on Navami.
• North India: Ramlila performances and fairs at Devi temples, ending with Ravana's effigy burned on Dussehra; Vaishno Devi sees its biggest crowds.

Frequently asked questions

How many Navratris are there in a year?

Four: Chaitra and Sharad, the two major ones, and two Gupt Navratris in Magha and Ashadha.

Why is Navratri celebrated?

For the Goddess Durga's nine-day battle with Mahishasura and her victory on the tenth day, and to worship her nine forms.

What can be eaten during the Navratri fast?

Fruit, milk, curd, and vrat foods such as kuttu, singhara, samak rice, sabudana and potatoes, cooked with sendha namak. Grains, onion and garlic are avoided.

When is kanya pujan done?

On Ashtami or Navami, depending on family tradition.

What is the difference between Chaitra and Sharad Navratri?

Both honour the Goddess. Chaitra Navratri comes in spring and ends with Ram Navami; Sharad Navratri comes in autumn and is followed by Dussehra. Sharad Navratri is the larger public festival.

Can I keep the Navratri fast if I can't fast all nine days?

Yes. Many fast on the first and last days, or only on Ashtami, and still do the daily puja.