Festival guide
Sharad Navratri
Sharad Navratri — the nine nights of autumn — begins on the first day of the bright half of Ashwin and honours the Goddess in nine forms, culminating in Dussehra.
Sharad Navratri dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 11 October | Ashwin Shukla Pratipada 10 Oct, 21:19 → 11 Oct, 21:31 |
| 2027 | Thursday 30 September | Ashwin Shukla Pratipada 30 Sept, 08:06 → 1 Oct, 05:35 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at sunrise.
Also known as: Navaratri, Durga Puja (Bengal), Golu (Tamil Nadu), Dasara (Karnataka).
Story and significance
The festival recalls Durga’s battle with the buffalo demon Mahishasura, whom she defeated after nine nights. In Rama tradition, Rama worshipped the Goddess before his battle with Ravana.
How Sharad Navratri is celebrated
- Ghatasthapana — installing a sacred pot and sowing barley on the first day
- Worship of a different form of Durga each day (Shailaputri to Siddhidatri)
- Fasting on all nine days or on the first and last
- Garba and dandiya dances in Gujarat; pandals and Durga Puja in Bengal; Golu doll displays in Tamil Nadu
- Kanya puja — honouring young girls as the Goddess on Ashtami or Navami
Recite on Sharad Navratri: Durga Aarti — Jai Ambe Gauri
How to perform the puja: Navratri Ghatasthapana and Durga Puja at Home — step by step, with a samagri checklist and timings.
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sharad Navratri 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 falls on Sunday, 11 October 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Sharad Navratri 2027?
Sharad Navratri 2027 falls on Thursday, 30 September 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Sharad Navratri change every year?
Sharad Navratri is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha tithi 1 of Ashwin (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Sharad Navratri fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.