Navaratri and Vijayadashami 2026: Best Temples and Grand Celebrations in India, USA, UK, Canada and Australia

Quick answer: Sharad Navaratri 2026 begins on Sunday 11 October 2026. In India, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October and Dussehra / Vijayadashami is on Tuesday 20 October (Drik Panchang). Mysuru celebrates Vijayadashami and the Jumboo Savari on Wednesday 21 October, the same day as Bengal's Bijoya Dashami. The grandest celebrations are at Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada, Chamundeshwari and the Mysuru Palace, Kolkata's Durga Puja pandals and Gujarat's Garba grounds, and Hindu temples in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia hold nine nights of puja, Garba and Vijayadashami events.

Last updated: 9 October 2026. Temple schedules change at short notice, so confirm timings on each temple's official website or notice board before you travel.

Navaratri is the festival of the Divine Mother: nine nights of worship of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati that end in Vijayadashami, the day of victory. People search for Navaratri 2026 celebrations for three reasons: to understand its spiritual significance, to plan temple visits in India, and, for millions of NRIs, to find events near home in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. This guide covers all three. For the day-by-day forms of the Goddess, colours and puja steps, see our Navaratri 2026 dates and 9 Devi names guide.

Navaratri 2026 key dates (India)

Dates from Drik Panchang (Hyderabad reference) and the official Mysuru Dasara programme.

1. Vijayawada: Kanaka Durga Temple, Indrakeeladri

On Indrakeeladri hill above the Krishna river, Goddess Kanaka Durga is worshipped as the Mother who destroyed Mahishasura. Sharannavaratri, the temple's Dasara festival, is one of the major pilgrim events in Andhra Pradesh. Each day the Goddess is decorated in a different alankaram, such as Bala Tripura Sundari, Annapurna, Lalita Tripura Sundari, Saraswati, Durga and Mahishasura Mardini, and lakhs of devotees climb the hill for darshan.

• 2026 dates: Navaratri from Sunday 11 October; Vijayadashami on Tuesday 20 October in Andhra Pradesh.
• The day-wise alankaram order, darshan queues, ticket and VIP rules are announced by the temple each year. Check the official announcements before you go.
• Temple website: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (kanakadurgamma.org).
• Expect very heavy crowds on Saraswati alankaram (Moola nakshatra) day and on Vijayadashami. Go early and carry water.

Read our full Kanaka Durga Temple Vijayawada guide for legends, darshan tips and how to reach the hill.

2. Mysuru: Chamundeshwari and the Dasara festival

Mysuru Dasara, the Nada Habba of Karnataka, is the most famous royal Dasara in India. It begins with worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hill and ends with the Jumboo Savari, when a decorated elephant carries the Goddess in the golden howdah from the Palace. The official Mysuru Dasara programme lists these key events for 2026:

Source: mysoredasara.gov.in, checked on 9 October 2026. The Palace is illuminated every evening during the festival. For news on the inauguration, elephants and the procession route, read Mysuru Dasara 2026 news, and for hotels, viewing passes and crowd tips see our Mysore Dasara 2026 visitor guide.

3. Other great Navaratri destinations in India

• Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir: Navaratri is the busiest season at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi above Katra. Book your yatra registration and helicopter or Bhawan accommodation early. See our Vaishno Devi Navratri 2026 pilgrimage guide.
• Kolkata Durga Puja, West Bengal: Sashti to Dashami brings thousands of themed pandals, Sandhi Puja, Sindoor Khela and the immersion processions. Bengal's Bijoya Dashami is on 21 October. Read the Kolkata Durga Puja 2026 news and pandal themes.
• Ahmedabad Garba, Gujarat: Every night of Navaratri, community grounds and housing societies dance Garba and Dandiya around the Mataji's garbo. See Garba 2026 Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
• Ambaji, Gujarat: One of the Shakti Peethas, Ambaji in Banaskantha draws huge Navaratri crowds and holds Garba in the temple chowk. Check the temple trust's announcements for darshan timings.
• Madurai Meenakshi, Tamil Nadu: The Meenakshi Amman Temple celebrates Navaratri with a daily alankaram of the Goddess and a kolu display. Read our Meenakshi Amman Temple guide and Dasara 2026 at major temples.

4. USA: Navaratri temples and events

Durga Temple of Virginia, Fairfax Station

One of the best-known Goddess temples in the Washington DC area. Its website lists the Sharad Navratri festival from Sunday 11 to Tuesday 20 October 2026, including a Durga Ashtami Chandi Havan on 18 October. Check the temple calendar for the daily puja and Garba schedule, as timings can change.

Bharatiya Temple, Troy, Michigan

The Bharatiya Temple lists Navratri Raas Garba from Sunday 11 to Tuesday 20 October 2026, from 8 to 10 pm on Sunday to Thursday and 8 pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday, with Kids Garba on 16, 17 and 25 October. Confirm before you go.

For Garba, Dandiya, Durga Puja and Ghatasthapana times in every major US city, see Navratri 2026 in the USA, city by city, the Durga Navratri 2026 USA guide and Garba 2026 USA, state by state.

5. UK: Navaratri temples and events

Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple, Tividale

The Balaji Temple in the West Midlands is one of the largest South Indian temples in Europe. Its religious events page lists Navarathri Pooja from Sunday 11 to Monday 19 October 2026 and Vijaya Dasami, with the annual Shirdi Baba celebrations, on Tuesday 20 October.

Shri Kanaga Thurkkai Amman Temple, Ealing, West London

A much-loved Goddess temple of the Tamil community in West London, where Navarathri brings daily abhishekam and alankaram of the Amman. We could not confirm the 2026 schedule, so check the temple's calendar or notice board for timings.

City-wise UK listings: Navratri 2026 in the UK, city by city and Garba 2026 UK.

6. Canada: Navaratri temples and events

• Jai Durga Hindu Society, Scarborough (Toronto): a Durga temple where Navaratri is the main festival of the year. Check the temple's calendar for 2026 puja and Garba timings.
• Toronto Kalibari, Mississauga: the Bengali community's Kali and Durga temple, known for its Durga Puja and Bijoya celebrations. Check the temple's calendar for 2026 dates.

More options: Navratri 2026 in Canada, city by city, Dussehra 2026 in Toronto and Garba 2026 Canada.

7. Australia: Navaratri temples and events

The Perth Hindu Temple (Hindu Association of WA) in Canning Vale lists Maha Navaratri celebrations from Sunday 11 to 20 October 2026, with daily pujas through the nine nights. Because Australia is ahead of India, eastern cities such as Sydney and Melbourne observe Dussehra on 21 October; see Dussehra 2026 Australia, city by city, the Sharadiya Navratri 2026 Australia guide and Garba 2026 Australia and New Zealand.

8. The spiritual significance of Navaratri

The Devi Mahatmya tells how the Goddess, formed from the combined powers of all the gods, fought the buffalo demon Mahishasura for nine days and defeated him on the tenth. Navaratri retells this victory as an inner journey: the first three nights honour Durga, who removes fear and negativity; the next three honour Lakshmi, who brings prosperity and good qualities; and the last three honour Saraswati, who grants knowledge and wisdom.

In North India, Vijayadashami also marks Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, celebrated with Ramlila and the burning of effigies. Across traditions the message is the same: dharma wins over adharma, and devotion and discipline overcome the darker parts of our own nature.

9. Temple-visit checklist for Navaratri

1. Check the temple's official website or social media for darshan timings and special days.
2. Go early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid the heaviest crowds.
3. Wear modest, traditional clothes; many temples have a dress code.
4. Carry flowers, fruit or a coconut if you wish to make an offering, and avoid plastic.
5. Keep footwear, phones and bags to a minimum; use the official counters.
6. Book special pujas, homams or tickets in advance where the temple allows it.
7. Follow queue rules and volunteers' directions, especially on Ashtami and Vijayadashami.
8. Carry water, and plan for elders and children who may need rest.
9. Respect photography rules inside the sanctum.
10. Contribute only through official donation counters or the temple's own website.

10. Celebrating Navaratri at home

• Set up a clean altar with an image of the Goddess, and do Ghatasthapana (kalash sthapana) on the first day if that is your family tradition.
• Light a lamp morning and evening, and offer flowers, kumkum and simple prasad.
• Read or listen to the Durga Saptashati, Lalita Sahasranama or Devi stotras.
• South Indian families can set up a Golu (Bommai Kolu) and invite friends for haldi-kumkum.
• Honour young girls on Ashtami or Navami with Kanya Puja, as per your tradition.
• Worship books, tools and vehicles on Ayudha Puja, and begin new learning on Vijayadashami.

Women abroad can find practical ideas in our Navratri 2026 guide for Indian women abroad.

11. Navaratri vs Durga Puja vs Dussehra vs Vijayadashami

These names describe the same festival season, seen through different regional traditions:

Why two dates? Dashami tithi begins around midday on 20 October and runs into 21 October, so most of India observes Dussehra on 20 October, while Mysuru's royal tradition and Bengal's Bijoya Dashami fall on 21 October. Follow your own temple or family tradition.

Frequently asked questions

When does Navaratri 2026 start, and are the dates the same in India and abroad?

Sharad Navaratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October. In India, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October and Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is on Tuesday 20 October (Drik Panchang). Abroad, tithis are calculated for local sunrise, so a day can shift, and temples often hold big events on the nearest weekend. Always follow your local temple's calendar.

What are the Mysuru Dasara 2026 dates?

The official Mysuru Dasara website lists the festival from 11 to 21 October 2026: inauguration and Chamundeshwari puja on Chamundi Hill on 11 October, Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja at the Palace on 20 October, Vijayadashami and the Jumboo Savari on 21 October, and the Chamundeshwari Rathotsava on 24 October.

How is Navaratri celebrated at Kanaka Durga temple, Vijayawada?

Indrakeeladri celebrates Sharannavaratri, also called Dasara, with the Goddess decorated in a different alankaram each day, ending on Vijayadashami. In 2026 Navaratri runs from 11 October, with Vijayadashami on 20 October in Andhra Pradesh. Check the temple's official announcements for the alankaram order, darshan timings and ticket rules.

Where can I celebrate Navaratri in the USA?

The Durga Temple of Virginia in Fairfax Station lists its Sharad Navratri festival from 11 to 20 October 2026, and the Bharatiya Temple in Troy, Michigan lists Navratri Raas Garba from 11 October. Most large US temples and community groups host Garba, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami events, often on weekends.

Where can I celebrate Navaratri in the UK?

The Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple in Tividale, West Midlands lists Navarathri Pooja from Sunday 11 to Monday 19 October 2026 and Vijaya Dasami on Tuesday 20 October. Shri Kanaga Thurkkai Amman Temple in Ealing, West London, is a popular Goddess temple; check its calendar for 2026 timings.

Where can I celebrate Navaratri in Canada and Australia?

In the Toronto area, Jai Durga Hindu Society in Scarborough and Toronto Kalibari in Mississauga are well known for Navaratri and Durga Puja; check each temple's calendar for 2026 timings. In Australia, the Perth Hindu Temple (Hindu Association of WA) lists Maha Navaratri celebrations from Sunday 11 to 20 October 2026.

Can I celebrate Navaratri without fasting?

Yes. Fasting is a personal vow, not a requirement. You can light a lamp each evening, offer flowers and simple prasad, read or listen to the Durga Saptashati or Lalita Sahasranama, visit a temple, join Garba, and do acts of service. Elders, children, pregnant women and anyone with a health condition should not fast strictly; a sattvic meal is a good alternative.

Conclusion

Whether you climb Indrakeeladri for Kanaka Durga's darshan, watch the Jumboo Savari in Mysuru, dance Garba in Ahmedabad or join your local temple in Virginia, the West Midlands, Toronto or Perth, Navaratri 2026 is a chance to pause, pray and celebrate the Divine Mother with family and community. Plan early, confirm timings with the temple, and celebrate with devotion. For Garba events worldwide, see Garba 2026 worldwide, and for all our daily guides visit the Navaratri festival hub. Jai Mata Di!

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

India dates are from Drik Panchang. Mysuru Dasara dates were checked on mysoredasara.gov.in, and the Durga Temple of Virginia, Bharatiya Temple (Troy), Shri Venkateswara Temple (Tividale) and Perth Hindu Temple dates on their own websites, all on 9 October 2026. Where we could not confirm a 2026 schedule we have asked you to check the temple's calendar. Temples can change programmes at short notice; please confirm before travelling.