Sharad Navratri 2026: Dates 11–20 October, Ghatasthapana and the Nine Days
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday 11 October with Ghatasthapana; Ashwin Shukla Pratipada runs from 9:20 PM on 10 October to 9:31 PM on 11 October IST. Maha Ashtami is Monday 19 October (Sandhi Puja 10:28–11:16 AM), Navami runs from 10:53 AM on the 19th to 12:52 PM on the 20th, and Dussehra is Tuesday 20 October.
The nine days
| Day | Date (2026) | Tithi at sunrise | Devi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun 11 Oct | Pratipada — Ghatasthapana | Shailaputri |
| 2 | Mon 12 Oct | Dwitiya | Brahmacharini |
| 3 | Tue 13 Oct | Tritiya | Chandraghanta |
| 4 | Wed 14 Oct | Chaturthi | Kushmanda |
| 5 | Thu 15 Oct | Panchami | Skandamata |
| 6 | Fri 16 Oct | Shashthi | Katyayani |
| 7 | Sat 17 – Sun 18 Oct | Saptami (holds both sunrises) | Kalaratri |
| 8 | Mon 19 Oct | Maha Ashtami — Sandhi Puja 10:28–11:16 AM | Mahagauri |
| 9 | Mon 19 (from 10:53 AM) – Tue 20 Oct | Navami — kanya pujan | Siddhidatri |
| — | Tue 20 Oct | Vijayadashami (Dashami from 12:52 PM) | Dussehra |
Times are IST for New Delhi. Because Saptami holds two sunrises, the festival spans ten calendar days while the nine Devi forms are still each worshipped.
Navratri and your chart
Navratri is the year’s main season of Shakti worship. In Jyotish it is a natural time for practices for the Moon (mind) and for strengthening the 9th house (dharma) and the 5th (mantra). Choose practices that suit your chart and running dasha — check yours with the dasha calculator.
Frequently asked questions
When does Navratri 2026 start?
On Sunday 11 October 2026 with Ghatasthapana. Ashwin Shukla Pratipada runs from 9:20 PM on 10 October to 9:31 PM on 11 October IST.
When is Durga Ashtami 2026?
Monday 19 October 2026. Ashtami runs from 8:30 AM on 18 October to 10:53 AM on 19 October; the Sandhi Puja is about 10:28–11:16 AM on the 19th.
When is Dussehra 2026?
Tuesday 20 October 2026. Dashami begins at 12:52 PM, so the afternoon (aparahna) observance falls on the 20th.
Why does Navratri 2026 last ten days?
Saptami holds the sunrise of both 17 and 18 October, so one tithi spans two calendar days.