Navratri 2026 — Complete 9-Day Calendar
Dates, colours, goddess forms, fasting rules, and puja vidhi for Chaitra & Sharad Navratri. Calculated for New Delhi.
Navratri Fasting Rules
What to Eat (Vrat-Approved)
- Kuttu (buckwheat) flour — puris, pakoras
- Singhare (water chestnut) flour — rotis
- Sabudana (sago) — khichdi, vada
- Fruits, milk, curd, paneer
- Potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, bottle gourd
- Rock salt (sendha namak) only — no table salt in strict traditions
- Dry fruits and nuts
What to Avoid
- Rice, wheat, and all regular grains
- Onion and garlic
- Non-vegetarian food, eggs
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Table salt (iodized) in strict traditions
- Pulses and lentils (dal)
How Navratri is Celebrated Across India
Gujarat — Garba & Dandiya Raas
Gujarat hosts the world's largest Navratri celebrations. Communities gather every evening for nine nights of Garba (circular dance) and Dandiya Raas (stick dance) around a clay lamp or image of Durga. Towns like Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot host massive grounds with thousands of dancers.
West Bengal — Durga Puja
The last five days of Navratri (Shashthi to Dashami) are celebrated as Durga Puja — Bengal's grandest festival. Artistic pandals (temporary structures) house elaborate clay idols of Durga slaying Mahishasura. Dhunuchi dance, Sindoor Khela, and immersion processions mark the celebrations. UNESCO recognized Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.
South India — Golu / Bommai Kolu
In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, families display Golu (Bommai Kolu) — a stepped display of dolls and figurines depicting gods, daily life, and mythological scenes. Women visit each other's homes, exchange Sundal (boiled lentil snacks), and sing devotional songs.
North India — Ramlila & Fasting
In UP, Rajasthan, and Delhi, Ramlila performances depict the life of Lord Rama over nine nights, culminating in the burning of Ravana effigies on Dussehra. Devotees observe strict fasting, perform daily puja, and visit Durga temples. Kanya Puja (worship of nine young girls) is performed on Ashtami or Navami.
Significance of Navratri
Navratri (Sanskrit: नवरात्रि, "nine nights") is among the most important Hindu festivals, celebrating the divine feminine energy (Shakti). The festival spans nine nights and ten days, during which the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Nava Durga) are worshipped sequentially — three days each for Durga (strength), Lakshmi (prosperity), and Saraswati (wisdom).
The festival has deep astronomical significance: Sharad Navratri falls during the autumn equinox when day and night are nearly equal, symbolizing the balance between light and darkness. Chaitra Navratri marks the spring equinox and the beginning of the Hindu New Year in many traditions.
According to the Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana), Goddess Durga fought the buffalo demon Mahishasura for nine nights and slew him on the tenth day (Vijayadashami). Each night of battle is associated with a different form of the goddess, collectively known as the Nava Durga. The festival celebrates the triumph of divine feminine power over evil.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Navratri 2026?
Dates are being calculated for your location.
How many days is Navratri?
Navratri spans 9 nights and 10 days, from Shukla Pratipada to Dashami (Dussehra) of the Ashwin month.
What are the 9 colours of Navratri?
Day 1: Yellow, Day 2: Green, Day 3: Grey, Day 4: Orange, Day 5: White, Day 6: Red, Day 7: Royal Blue, Day 8: Pink, Day 9: Purple.
Can we eat non-veg during Navratri?
No. Devotees observe strict vegetarian sattvic fasting during Navratri. Onion, garlic, grains, and non-vegetarian food are avoided.
What is the difference between Chaitra and Sharad Navratri?
Chaitra Navratri falls in March-April (Hindu New Year), while Sharad Navratri falls in September-October. Sharad Navratri is more widely celebrated, especially with Garba in Gujarat and Durga Puja in Bengal.