Navratri and Dussehra 2026 at India's Temples: Verified Schedules, Timings and Traditions

Quick answer: Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday 11 October, and Vijayadashami (Dussehra) falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 per Drik Panchang for India, while Bengal and many Kerala temples keep Vijaya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October. Below, temple by temple, are the 2026 schedules we could verify from official notices and 2026 news reports, the official darshan timings where published, and why each temple matters at Navratri.

Last updated: 10 October 2026. 41 temples. We will add more temples and timings as they publish their 2026 programmes.

For the destinations and the meaning of the festival, see our Navaratri and Vijayadashami 2026: best temples and celebrations and the Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 complete guide. This page is the schedule companion.

Navratri 2026 key dates

• Ghatasthapana: Sunday 11 October 2026.
• Durga Ashtami: Monday 19 October 2026.
• Maha Navami and Ayudha Puja: Tuesday 20 October 2026.
• Vijayadashami / Dussehra: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Drik Panchang); Wednesday 21 October in Bengal's Vishuddha Siddhanta almanac, at many Kerala temples and in the Mysuru palace panchanga.

How to read the schedules

Every row comes from a page we opened on 10 October 2026: a temple's official site or notice, a government page, or a 2026 news report quoting the temple. Times are as published. Where a temple has not yet published its 2026 programme, we say so rather than repeat last year's times.

South India

Sri Chamundeshwari Temple (Chamundi Hill, Karnataka)

Navaratri is the temple's most important festival; Mysuru Dasara, Karnataka's state festival (Nada Habba), centres on Goddess Chamundeshwari, and the temple idol is decorated in a different form on each of the nine days. (source)

Mysuru Dasara 2026 is formally inaugurated with a puja to Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hill, and on Vijayadashami the Goddess's idol is carried in the golden howdah in the Jamboo Savari procession from the Palace to Bannimantap. (source)

The 2026 inauguration places the Goddess's idol in a silver chariot on the hill, and the sanctum idol is to be adorned in a different alankara on each of the nine Navaratri days (Sapthamatruka alankara on day one). (source)

Sri Mookambika Temple (Kollur, Karnataka)

The Rathotsava (chariot festival) and Navaratri are listed as the main festivals of the temple. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple (Kateel, Karnataka)

The temple's official site publishes a Navarathri festival invitation every year (2023 and 2026 are listed) and posts a Navaratri-eve Shigra Darshan ticket notice. (source)

The 2026 official invitation names the festival 'Navaratri Pooja Mahotsava' at Kateelu Sri Durgaparameshwari Devasthana. (source)

Official website: http://www.kateeldevi.in.

Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)

The temple's Golu mandapa in the second corridor of the Meenakshi shrine is used during Navaratri, and the temple is managed by the HR&CE Department. (source)

During Navaratri the processional deity of Goddess Meenakshi is seated in the Kolu mandapam in a different alankaram each day. (source)

Official website: https://maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in.

Sri Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu)

Sharada Navarathiri and Vasantha Navarathiri are celebrated every year for nine days, with a special Yaga Sala, Yaga Sala Pooja and Chandi Homam. (source)

The official 2026 Navaratri invitation lists a daily Soorasamharam enactment, Durgashtami procession, Saraswati Puja, and a Vijayadashami theerthavari and vanni-tree (Shami) ritual. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Temple opening @ 5.30 a.m.; Goh Pooja & Viswarupa Darshanam 05:30 a.m.; Kala Sandhi 07:30 a.m.; Utchikalam 11:00 a.m. / 11:30 a.m.; Sayarksha 04:00 p.m. / 04:30 p.m.; Arthajama Pooja (Night Pooja) 07:30 p.m. - 08:15 p.m.; Palliarai Pooja 08:30 p.m. (official source)

Official website: https://kanchikamakshi.org/.

Arulmigu Mariamman Temple (Samayapuram, Tamil Nadu)

The temple holds a Navaratri festival every year, with a multi-tier kolu and a different alankaram for the Amman each night. On Vijayadashami the Amman appears in Vedupari alankaram and goes out on a silver horse vahanam to the vanni (Shami) tree, followed by an arrow-shooting (ambu podum) ritual. (source)

The temple is administered by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. (source)

Official website: https://samayapurammariamman.hrce.tn.gov.in.

Arulmigu Gnanamoortheeswarar udanurai Mutharamman Temple (Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu)

The Dasara festival at Sri Mutharamman Temple opens with flag hoisting and ends with the enactment of 'Soorasamhaaram' (Mahishasura Samharam) on Kulasekarapattinam beach, which draws several lakh devotees from across the country. (source)

Kulasekarapattinam is known for its Dussehra (Dasara) celebrations. (source)

Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Kanaka Durga Temple) (Indrakeeladri, Andhra Pradesh)

Dasara is celebrated every year with special alankarams and naivedyams, Chandi homam, processions of the utsava murthy and a Teppotsavam (boat festival); ten forms of Kanaka Durga are worshipped over the ten days. (source)

For 2026 the Goddess will appear in different alankarams across the ten-day festival, with a Nagarotsavam procession and Teppotsavam on the Krishna on Vijayadashami. (source)

Official website: https://kanakadurgamma.org.

Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple (Basar (Basara), Telangana)

Pilgrims bring children here for the 'Akshara abhyasam' (first-letters) ceremony, and Devi Navarathrulu is celebrated for ten days during Dasara. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Sri Bhadrakali Temple (Warangal / Hanumakonda, Telangana)

The temple holds an annual Devi Sharannavaratri festival that draws large crowds from across Telangana. (source)

Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh)

During the Dasara (Devi Sarannavaratri) celebrations the processional deity of Goddess Bhramaramba receives Navadurga alankarams, the Lord and Goddess are taken out on a different vahana each day, and the festival ends with Shami Puja and Teppotsavam (float festival). (source)

The 2026 programme also includes Nijaroopa alankaram and Gramotsavam (village processions) with Kolatam and Chekka Bhajana troupes. (source)

Official website: https://www.srisailadevasthanam.org/.

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple (Chottanikkara, Kerala)

The temple's official festival page describes Navarathri as a famous festival at the temple, with Vidyarambham (initiation of children aged 3-6 into learning) held on Vijayadasami; Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Vijayadasami are the key days, with an elephant procession, annadanam and daily stage programmes. (source)

The goddess is worshipped as Saraswathy in the morning, Lakshmi at noon and Durga in the evening; the temple is the most important of the shrines under the Cochin Devaswom Board. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Official pooja timings: 4:00 AM opening of nada (Nirmalya darshan; 3:30 AM during Mandalam season and Fridays); Ucha pooja 11:00-11:30; evening nada reopening 4:00 PM; Deeparadhana after 6:00 PM (based on sunset); Athazha pooja 7:00-7:30 PM; Valiya Guruthi after 8:30 PM. 'The Pooja Timing will change during special days.' A separate notice says timings may change till 31/10/2025 (open till 11:00 AM, reopen 5:00 PM) due to renovation. (official source)

Official website: https://chottanikkarabhagavathy.org/. Temple guide: Chottanikkara Bhagavathi temple.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple (Attukal, Kerala)

The temple trust's official site states that Navarathri Mahotsavam poojas, Pooja Veppu and Vidyarambham ceremonies are conducted under the temple Melshanthi, with thousands of children initiated into learning on Vijayadashami. (source)

Wikipedia lists 'Navaratri and Pooja Vaypu (Saraswathy Pooja and Vidyarambham)' among the temple's festivals other than its signature Attukal Pongala. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Darshan timings (official): Official pooja timings list: Palliyunarthu 4:30 AM; Nirmalya Darshan 5:00 AM; Ucha Pooja 12:00 PM; Nata adappu 12:30 PM; Deeparadhana 6:45 PM; Athazha Pooja 7:30 PM; Nata Atappu 8:30 PM (the site gives no evening opening time). (official source)

Official website: https://attukal.org/.

Panachikkadu Dakshina Mookambika Saraswathi Temple (Panachikkad, Kerala)

Panachikkadu Temple, also called the Dakshina Mookambika Saraswathy Temple, is dedicated to Saraswati; the main deity is Vishnu, installed before Saraswati. (source)

The 2026 Navaratri festival (7-21 Oct) features a non-stop 'kalopasana' of music, dance, Kathakali and Chakyar Koothu by over 3,000 artists, plus a national music and dance festival, ending in Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami. (source)

ETV Bharat calls it the most important Saraswati temple in Kerala, where children are brought for their first letters and artists perform before the goddess during Navaratri. (source)

Temple guide: Panachikkad Dakshina Mookambika temple.

"Mookambika Temple, Kodungallur": ambiguous. Recommended replacement: Dakshina Mookambika Temple, North Paravur (North Paravur, Kerala)

The temple's official site says the Navarathri mandapam and Aanapandal host nine days of classical music and dance, mostly children's arangettams (debut performances), and small children are initiated into learning at the Vidyarambha mandapam on Vijayadashami. (source)

Per Wikipedia, books are placed before Goddess Saraswathy on Durgashtami, and on Vijayadashami morning Vidyarambham (Ezhuthinirithu) is held at a special mandapam from 4 am to 11 am, when thousands of children write 'harisree'. (source)

The only major Kodungallur temple, Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy (Cochin Devaswom Board), lists Navarathri only as the generic Kerala observance (Pooja Veppu and Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami); its signature festivals are Bharani and Thalappoli. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Darshan timings (official): North Paravur Dakshina Mookambika official timings: Morning 5.00 am Nadathurappu; 6.30 am Ushapooja/Sreebali; 8.00 am Pantheeradi Pooja; 10.30 am Uchapooja/Sreebali; 11.00 am Nadayadappu. Evening 5.00 pm Nadathurappu; 6.30 pm Deeparadhana; 7.30 pm Athazhapooja/Sreebali, then distribution of kashaya nivedyam. (official source)

Official website: https://dakshinamookambika.org/.

Thiruvullakkavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple (Cherpu, Kerala)

Thousands bring children to this Sastha temple at Cherpu (Thrissur) for initiation into learning, and devotees stream in on Vijayadasami, the most auspicious morning of the year for those seeking academic success. (source)

Malayalam Wikipedia says Navaratri is the temple's main annual festival, observed over nine days, and that Vidyarambham is held on every day of the year except Atham in Meenam and Mahanavami. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

West India

Shri Tulja Bhavani Temple (Tuljapur, Maharashtra)

Sharadiya Navaratri has special importance in Tulja Bhavani worship and is celebrated as a large traditional festival from Ashwin Pratipada. By the temple's tradition, the Goddess rests on a bed (manchaki) after a nine-day battle with Mahishasura, and Dasara falls on the tenth day. (source)

Tulja Bhavani is one of the Shakti temples whose festivals include Navaratri and Vijayadashami. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Charantirth Kakad Aarti: 4.30 am; Abhishek Pooja: 6.00-10.00 am; Vastralankar Pooja Aarti & Dhuparati: 11.00 am; Abhishek Pooja: 7.00-9.00 pm; night Prakshal Pooja: 9.30 pm; during rush, Charantirth at 1 am; puja times change as needed during crowds (translated from Marathi). (official source)

Official website: https://shrituljabhavani.org/.

Shri Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi Temple (Saptashrungi Gad, Maharashtra)

Sharadiya Navaratri is celebrated on the Gad every Ashwin Shuddha (Sept-Oct). On Vijayadashami (and Chaitra Purnima) the Gawali (Patil) family of Daregaon hereditarily hoists the flag on the summit above the Goddess, which has no path to climb. (source)

Navaratri is a major festival at the shrine. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Darshan timings (official): Kakad Aarti 5.30 am; Panchamrut Mahapuja 7.00-9.00 am; Mahanaivedya Aarti 12.00 noon; Sanj Aarti 7.00 pm (daily programme, translated from Marathi). (official source)

Official website: https://ssndtonline.org/.

Shree Karveer Niwasini Ambabai (Mahalakshmi) Temple (Kolhapur, Maharashtra)

On the fifth day of Navaratra (Lalita Panchami) the goddess's handheld palanquin is taken in procession about 6 km to Temblai Hill to meet her sister Goddess Tryambuli (Treyamboli), with a kohala (winter-melon) breaking ritual; the erstwhile Kolhapur royal family performs the rituals there. (source)

The nine-day Navaratra opens with a centuries-old tradition of firing rounds from the cannon on the temple premises. (source)

Wikipedia lists Navratri and Lalita Panchami among the temple's festivals and the Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti as governing body. (source)

Official website: https://www.mahalaxmikolhapur.com/.

Shree Mumbadevi Mandir (Mumbadevi Temple) (Bhuleshwar / Zaveri Bazar, Maharashtra)

The temple's official festival calendar lists Ashvin (Sharad) Navratri as its principal Navratri: nine days of continuous decoration, garba and devotional gatherings, closing with Vijayadashami/Dussehra. (source)

Mumbadevi is regarded as the patron goddess of Mumbai; the city's name is derived from her (official site). (source)

Sharad Navratri at the temple traditionally opens with a pre-dawn Kakad Aarti (reported for 2025). (source)

Darshan timings (official): Darshan Hours 6:30 AM – 8:55 PM, open daily; doors close for the night at 9:00 PM. Aartis: 6:30 AM Mangal Aarti, 9:30 AM, 12:15 PM Naivaidya, 6:30 PM Dhoop, 8:00 PM, 8:55 PM Shayan. Site notes festival days bring 'longer queues and extended hours'. (official source)

Official website: https://mumbadevi.org.in/.

Shri Renuka Devi Temple, Mahurgad (Mahur, Maharashtra)

Nanded district administration: the Renuka Devi temple on a hillock near Mahur is considered one of the Shaktipithas of Maharashtra, and 'On the day of Dasara every year a very big fair is held in honour of Renukadevi.'. (source)

Renuka's temple at Mahur is counted among the three-and-a-half Shakta pithas of Maharashtra. (source)

Navratri rituals at the temple include maha-aarti, chhabina (procession), kumarika pujan, and nine aartis and nine ashtakas over the nine days (Sansthan via Lokmat). (source)

Shri Karni Mata Temple, Deshnok (Deshnok, Rajasthan)

The Karni Mata fair is held twice a year during Navratri: Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Dashami (March-April) and Ashvin Shukla Ekam to Dashami (September-October), when thousands of pilgrims walk to the temple. (source)

Karni Mata's janmotsav (birth anniversary) falls on Saptami during Sharad Navratri and is marked with a grand procession (shobhayatra) from the temple. (source)

Temple guide: Karni Mata temple, Deshnok.

Shila Devi (Shila Mata) Temple (Amer Fort, Rajasthan)

Temple inside Amer Fort; Wikipedia records the idol was installed on the sixth day of Navratri in 1604 CE and describes the temple as an important centre of Navratri worship. (source)

Amer Fort article notes animal sacrifice was historically associated with this temple during Navaratri (practice since discontinued per the Shila Devi article). (source)

During Sharad Navratri 2026, daily worship of the 10 Mahavidyas and 9 Durgas, daily Durga Saptashati path and havan; the former royal family offers the goddess's dress and special jewellery shringar is done daily. (source)

Arasuri Ambaji Mata Temple (Ambaji, Gujarat)

Shakti shrine where the Shree Yantra, not an idol, is worshipped; the temple is surrounded by Chachar Chowk. (source)

The Ambaji Mohanthal prasad received a GI tag (certificate issued 1 Oct 2026); the formal handover is set for the first day of Navratri. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Official homepage (shown for Sat 10 Oct 2026): aarti 07:30-08:00, darshan 08:00-11:30; rajbhog 12:00; darshan 12:30-17:15; aarti 18:30-19:00, darshan 19:00-21:00 (daily schedule; may change on festival days). (official source)

Official website: https://www.ambajitemple.in.

East and Northeast India

Tarapith Temple (Maa Tara) (Tarapith, West Bengal)

Tara Ma's 'abirbhab dibas' (appearance day) falls on Ashwin Shukla Chaturdashi, four days after Bijoya Dashami. On that day the idol is brought out of the sanctum after sunrise and bathed in Jibit Kunda water. It is then dressed in raj-besh and placed on the Biram Mancha in the temple courtyard, the one day a year devotees see her outside the sanctum. It is the one day the idol is seated facing west (towards the cremation ground), and fruit is offered. (source)

Wikipedia's Tarapith temple article lists Durga Puja among the temple's festivals. It calls Kaushiki Amavasya the biggest festival. (source)

Ramakrishna Math (Belur Math) - Sri Sri Durga Puja (Belur, West Bengal)

Durga Puja and Kumari Puja are annual celebrations at Belur Math and among its main attractions; the Kumari Puja tradition there was started by Swami Vivekananda in 1901. (source)

Belur Math publishes a detailed Durga Puja 2026 programme following the Vishuddha Siddhanta almanac, including Kumari Puja on Mahashtami. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Visiting hours: Morning 6:30 to 11:30 AM; Afternoon 4:00 to 9:00 PM (as shown on belurmath.org homepage). (official source)

Official website: https://belurmath.org/.

Maa Kamakhya Devalaya (Kamakhya Temple) (Nilachal Hill, Assam)

Per the temple's official site, Durga Puja at Kamakhya is observed for a fortnight (paksha) from Krishna Navami to Sukla Navami of Aswina, hence also called Pakhua Puja, with rituals such as Mahasnan (ritual bath of the Pithasthan with panchagavya) and bali offerings. (source)

Kumari Puja forms an integral part of the major pujas at Kamakhya, more so in Durga Puja. (source)

Durga Puja is celebrated annually at Kamakhya during autumn Navaratri. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Official website: https://maakamakhya.org/.

Shri Jagannath Temple (Srimandir), with Vimala (Bimala) shrine (Puri, Odisha)

Gupta Gundicha is celebrated for sixteen days from Krishna Dwitiya of Ashwin to Vijayadashami: Madhava with Durga (Durgamadhaba) is taken in procession within the temple for eight days, then on a palanquin to the nearby Narayani temple in Dola Mandapa lane for the next eight days. (source)

Durga Puja in Ashvin is celebrated for sixteen days at the Vimala shrine inside the Jagannath complex, culminating on Vijayadashami, when Vimala is worshipped as Durga by the titular Gajapati king of Puri. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Official website: https://www.shreejagannatha.in/.

North India

Hadimba (Hidimba) Devi Temple, Dhungri (Dhungri, Himachal Pradesh)

Hidimba Devi has a special status as 'grandmother of the Kullu royal family' and plays a main role in Kullu Dussehra: official preparations for the rath yatra begin only after the goddess arrives (ETV Bharat, 5 Oct 2026). (source)

Wikipedia notes that in Manali the Navaratri focus shifts to Goddess Hidimba and the temple draws large crowds during Navaratri. (source)

Raghunath Temple / International Kullu Dussehra (Sultanpur (Raghunath ji) and Dhalpur Maidan, Himachal Pradesh)

Kullu Dussehra is held at Dhalpur Maidan, starts on Vijayadashami and lasts seven days; its history goes back to the 17th century when Raja Jagat Singh installed the Raghunath idol and declared Raghunath the valley's ruling deity. (source)

The festival begins with the Raghunath ji rath yatra, and over 300 local deities take part (Hill Post, 25 Sep 2026). (source)

The festival committee invited 348 deities for 2026; three deities from the Manali area are set to attend for the first time since 1962. (source)

Official website: https://kulludussehra.hp.gov.in.

Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple (Naina Devi, Himachal Pradesh)

Official site describes it as a chief Shakti Peeth and states that darshan timing during Navratras differs from normal days. (source)

The district magistrate issued orders for the 2026 Ashwin Navratri fair (11-20 Oct) at the temple, showing it is an annual government-managed Navratri mela. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Official site: normal days 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Navratras 2:00 AM to 12:00 AM. (official source)

Official website: https://srinainadevi.com.

Shri Jwalamukhi (Jwala Ji) Temple (Jawalamukhi, Himachal Pradesh)

Sharad Navratri at Jwalaji begins with worship and a traditional jhanda (flag) ceremony performed by the temple trust (Amar Ujala, 10 Oct 2026). (source)

Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple (Chintpurni, Himachal Pradesh)

An Asuj (Ashwin) Navratri mela is held each year; the 2026 mela runs 11-20 Oct, with darshan slips at Mai Das Sadan, Shambhu Barrier and MRC. (source)

During the Navratri mela, daily havan is offered and special puja and kanya pujan are held on Durgashtami (Jagran, 10 Oct 2026). (source)

Official website: https://www.matashrichintpurni.com.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine (Trikuta Hills, Jammu and Kashmir)

Navaratri, in Ashvin (Sept-Oct), is listed among the most prominent festivals at the shrine. (source)

SMVDSB prepares for the heavy Navratri rush; for 2026 the CEO reviewed security, disaster readiness and crowd management, and a valid RFID card is mandatory for every pilgrim. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Official site: aarti is performed twice daily, just before sunrise and just after sunset, and takes about two hours, during which darshan is suspended (no clock times given). (official source)

Official website: https://www.maavaishnodevi.org.

Shri Mata Mansa Devi Mandir (Bilaspur village, Haryana)

The Shrine Board holds two Navratra melas a year (Ashvin and Chaitra); on the 7th and 8th Navratras the temples close only two hours at night for cleaning. (source)

The 2026 Sharadiya Navratri fair runs 11-20 Oct; Panchkula Police set up Haryana's first Tourist Police Post for it. (source)

Darshan timings (official): Official site: temple hours summer 4 AM-10 PM, winter 5 AM-9 PM; morning aarti summer 4:30-5:00 AM / winter 5:30-6:00 AM; evening aarti summer 7:00-7:30 PM / winter 6:00-6:30 PM; bhog 11:00-11:15 AM daily. (official source)

Official website: https://mansadevi.org.in.

Maa Shailputri Temple (Marhia Ghat (A-40/11), Uttar Pradesh)

Shailaputri is the first of the Navadurga and is worshipped on the first day of Navaratri. Wikipedia lists the Shailaputri Temple at A-40/11, Marhia Ghat, Varanasi. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir (Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh)

Navratri kalash sthapana has so far been done in the Ram temple's sanctum; from Sharad Navratri 2026 it moves to the newly built Maa Durga temple on the complex's parkota, with nine days of Durga Saptashati path and daily havan (Amar Ujala, 10 Oct 2026). (source)

During Navratri 2026, Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas parayan are held before the Shri Ram Yantra on the temple's second floor, and Ram Raksha Stotra / Ram Sahasranama archana in the sanctums. Kalash sthapana also takes place at the Maa Annapurna temple. (source)

Official website: https://srjbtkshetra.org.

Maa Vindhyavasini Temple, Vindhyachal Dham (Vindhyachal, Uttar Pradesh)

Mirzapur district's official page describes Vindhyachal as the abode of Bhagwati Vindhyavasini and an awakened Shaktipeeth. (source)

A Sharad Navratri mela is held every year; in 2026 the temple stays open around the clock with darshan paused only during the four aartis, and sanctum entry/charan sparsh is stopped. (source)

A nine-day Vindhya Mahotsav cultural festival runs alongside the Navratri mela from 11 Oct 2026. (source)

Official website: https://mirzapur.nic.in/tourist-place/vindhyachal-dham/.

Central India

Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)

On Vijayadashami, Mahakal goes out in a silver palanquin procession (sawari) as 'king of Ujjain' to Dussehra Maidan for Shami puja. It is the only time each year the procession enters the Freeganj area (Amar Ujala, 5 Oct 2026). (source)

Official website: https://www.shrimahakaleshwar.mp.gov.in.

Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh)

The official festival calendar lists 'Celebration of Vijaya Dashmi and Sawari' among the temple's annual observances. (source)

2026 schedule: not yet published in the official or news sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the temple's notices closer to the festival.

Darshan timings (official): Official schedule: 4:30-5:00 AM Mangal Aarti and Naivedya Bhog; 5:00 AM-12:20 PM Mangal Darshan; 12:20-1:15 PM Madhyanha Bhog; 1:15-4:00 PM Madhyanha Darshan; 4:00-4:15 PM Sayamkalin Shringar; 4:15-9:30 PM Shringar Darshan; 9:30-10:00 PM Shayan Shringar and Aarti; 10:00-10:30 PM Shayan Shringar Darshan. Timings may change during festivals. (official source)

Official website: https://shriomkareshwar.org.

Maa Danteshwari Temple, Jagdalpur (Bastar Dussehra) (Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh)

Bastar Dussehra is a 75-day festival with no Ravana burning. It begins on Hariyali Amavasya with Pat Jatra (bringing the first wood for the chariot) and ends with the Muria Darbar (Bastar district official site). (source)

Danteshwari Temple in Jagdalpur is the centre of Bastar Dussehra; the goddess is taken out in procession during the festival. (source)

The Kachangadi ritual is held each year one day before Navratri: a young girl, as Kachan Devi, swings on a thorn swing to grant permission for the festival. (source)

Official website: https://bastar.gov.in.

Planning a Navratri temple visit

• Festival days draw very large crowds; go early, follow the queue arrangements and keep children and elders close.
• Dress modestly and traditionally, deposit footwear at the counters, and check rules on phones, cameras and bags.
• For Vidyarambham in Kerala, many temples ask families to register or book a coupon in advance.
• Confirm timings on the day: temples often adjust darshan hours for special pujas and processions.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026?

Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is on Tuesday 20 October 2026 per Drik Panchang for India. Bengal temples following the Vishuddha Siddhanta almanac and many Kerala temples observe Vijaya Dashami and Vidyarambham on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

What time is Kumari Puja at Belur Math in 2026?

9:00 AM on Monday 19 October 2026 (Mahashtami), with Sandhi Puja from 10:28 to 11:16 AM, per Belur Math's official programme.

When is Vidyarambham at Panachikkad in 2026?

From 4:00 AM on Wednesday 21 October 2026, as reported; coupons can be booked in advance.

Are temple timings extended during Navratri?

Often, yes. For 2026, Mumbadevi is reported open 5:30 AM to 10 PM and Karni Mata at Deshnok round the clock. Always check the temple's own notice.

Why are some temples missing from this page?

We list a temple only when its Navratri or Dussehra tradition is documented by a reliable source. Temples whose main festival falls at another time of year, or whose identity we could not confirm, are left out.

Editor's note

Editor's note (10 October 2026): Compiled from official temple sites, government pages, encyclopedic references and 2026 news reports opened on 10 October 2026. We do not publish ticket prices, crowd figures or the names of officials, and we list a 2026 time only when a source states it. Please confirm with the temple before you travel.

Related guides

• Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal, district by district
• Dasara 2026 in Karnataka, district by district
• Mysore Dasara 2026 day by day
• Dussehra 2026 in Kerala
• Dussehra 2026 in Maharashtra
• Dussehra 2026 in Rajasthan