Navratri
Navratri — 'nine nights' — is the great festival of Devi, the Hindu Goddess in her many forms. Five Navratris fall through the year (Chaitra, Ashada, Sharad, Magha and Pausha — only Chaitra and Sharad are widely observed), with Sharad Navratri in the autumn being the largest. Each of the nine nights is dedicated to one form of the Navadurga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. The festival culminates on the tenth day — Vijayadashami / Dussehra — which celebrates Rama's victory over Ravana and Durga's victory over Mahishasura. Sharad Navratri 2026 fell on 11–19 October, with Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October. HinduTone's Navratri hub covers the full festival cycle: daily Devi puja vidhi for each of the nine forms (with the specific mantra, colour, bhog/offering and story for each day), the Devi Mahatmya's three episodes (the slaying of Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishasura, and Shumbha-Nishumbha), Ghatasthapana on day 1, the Lalita Panchami / Saraswathi Avahanam tradition, Durgashtami's grand puja, Ayudha Puja on day 9 (when craftsmen worship their tools), and Vijayadashami's three layered celebrations — Rama's victory, Durga's victory and Saraswathi's culmination. We also cover the regional Navratri traditions: Garba and Dandiya nights in Gujarat, Durga Puja pandals in Bengal, Bommai Kolu doll displays in Tamil Nadu, the Mysore Dasara royal procession in Karnataka, and how the diaspora celebrates Navratri in New Jersey, Houston, London, Sydney and beyond.
Today's Sankalpam, 25 October 2026: Sandhyavandanam Sankalpam and Traditional Panchangam (Sunday)
Every Day Vijayadashami: The Real Invitation of Navaratri and How to Live Its Victory Daily
How to Wish Happy Vijayadashami 2026 on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Telegram: A Complete Guide for NRIs in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand
How to Wish Happy Vijaya Dasami on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and Facebook in 2026
Happy Dussehra 2026: Heartfelt Vijayadashami Wishes to Hindus Around the World
Must-Perform Rituals on Vijayadashami 2026: Complete State-Wise Guide for Devotees Across India
Explore the Navaratri cluster
Siddhidatri and the Siddhis: The 8 and 18 Siddhis Explained for Navratri Day 9
Maharnavami Significance: Durga's Navaratri Alankarams and the Mahishasura Mardini Story
Why Is Ayudha Puja Done During Navaratri? Stories, Traditions and Meaning
Ayudha Puja Sankalpam 2026: Sanskrit Text in Telugu & Devanagari with Meaning
Sri Durga Devi Alankaram on Durgashtami: Kanaka Durga Day 8, Puja Vidhi, Anga Puja and Apaduddharaka Stotram
How Telangana Celebrates Bathukamma and Dussehra 2026: Floral Traditions, Rituals and Festive Spirit
How Hindu Temples Celebrate Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026: Rituals, Traditions and Regional Grandeur
Bijoya Dashami 2026 in the USA, UK and Canada: Date, Sindoor Khela, Bijoya Greetings and Kolakuli
Navratri Parana 2026: When to Break the Navratri Fast (Tuesday 20 October) in India, the USA, Canada and the UK
Maha Navami 2026 in the UK: Monday 19 October, Navami Tithi, Havan and Parana Time
Maha Navami 2026 in Canada: Monday 19 October, Navami Tithi, Havan and Parana Time by City
Maha Navami 2026 in the USA: Monday 19 October, Navami Tithi, Havan and Parana Time by City
Durga Ashtami 2026 in the UK: Sunday 18 October, Sandhi Puja Time and How to Celebrate
Durga Ashtami 2026 in Canada: Sunday 18 October, Sandhi Puja Time by City and How to Celebrate
Durga Ashtami 2026 in the USA: Sunday 18 October, Sandhi Puja Time by City and How to Celebrate
Vahana Puja Mantras and Vidhi: Ayudha Puja and New Car or Bike Puja at Home, Step by Step
Dussehra 2026 Bank Holidays: Are Banks Closed on 19, 20 or 21 October? State-Wise RBI List
Dashain 2026: Dates (Ghatasthapana 11 October, Tika 21 October), Fulpati, Jamara and How Nepal Celebrates
Frequently asked questions
When is Sharad Navratri 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 11 October (Ghatasthapana) through Monday, 19 October (Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami, India). Vijayadashami / Dussehra falls on Tuesday, 20 October.
Who are the Navadurga — the nine forms?
Day 1: Shailaputri (mountain daughter). Day 2: Brahmacharini (the celibate yogini). Day 3: Chandraghanta (with the bell-moon). Day 4: Kushmanda (creator of the cosmic egg). Day 5: Skandamata (Kartikeya's mother). Day 6: Katyayani (warrior form). Day 7: Kalaratri (the dark night). Day 8: Mahagauri (the white-radiant). Day 9: Siddhidatri (giver of siddhis).
What are the fasting rules for Navratri?
Most devotees do nirjala (waterless) fasts for some days or partial fasts daily. Permitted foods: kuttu (buckwheat) flour, singhada flour, sabudana, fruits, milk, ghee, sendha namak (rock salt), nuts, potatoes, sweet potatoes. Avoided: regular salt, onion, garlic, lentils, regular grains. Devotees consume one or two satvik meals daily.
What is the difference between Durga Puja and Navratri?
Durga Puja (Bengal, Odisha, Assam) is the same 9-night Sharad Navratri festival framed around the public-pandal celebration of Devi's victory over Mahishasura, culminating in immersion (visarjan). Navratri elsewhere focuses on home-based Navadurga puja, garba dance, and fasting. Same astronomy, different cultural expression.
What is Ayudha Puja?
Performed on Mahanavami (day 9), Ayudha Puja is the worship of tools, weapons and instruments — sacred to Devi as Saraswathi (knowledge tools) and Durga (battle weapons). Traditionally craftsmen worship their workshop tools, scholars their books, drivers their vehicles, and warriors their weapons. The next day, Vijayadashami, marks resuming work with the goddess's blessing.