Sharad Navratri begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026. In New Delhi the Ghatasthapana muhurat is 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM in the morning; if that is missed, the Abhijit muhurat is 11:45 AM to 12:31 PM. Maa Shailputri is worshipped on the first day.
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The nine days and their goddesses
- 11 October: Ghatasthapana, Maa Shailputri
- 12 October: Maa Brahmacharini · 13 October: Maa Chandraghanta
- 14 October: Maa Kushmanda · 15 October: Maa Skandamata
- 16 October: Maa Katyayani · 17 October: Maa Kalaratri
- 18 October: this year Saptami holds at two sunrises
- 19 October: Durga Ashtami (Maa Mahagauri), Kanya Puja, Sandhi Puja and Maha Navami (Maa Siddhidatri)
- 20 October: Navratri parana and Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
When and how Ghatasthapana is done
Ghatasthapana is done during Pratipada, in the first third of the day, which gives the morning muhurat. In New Delhi Pratipada runs from sunrise on 11 October to 9:32 PM. Water, a betel nut and a coin go into the kalash, mango leaves and a coconut on top, and barley is sown in earth beside it. Many homes keep an akhand jyoti burning for the nine days.
Colours of the nine days
Wearing a colour for each of the nine days is a popular custom: orange on the first day. It is not a scriptural rule but a custom begun by Maharashtra Times in 2003; each day’s colour is on the Navratri colours page.
Sources
- Drik Panchang: Sharad Navratri 2026 and Ghatasthapana muhurat, New Delhi (compared: docs/checks/drik-navratri-2026.md)
- Order of the goddesses: the Devi Kavach ("prathamaṃ śailaputrī ca…")
- Colour custom: Maharashtra Times, since 2003
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