Sharad Navratri 2026 began with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October and ends with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, 20 October. Over these nine nights, devotees worship Maa Durga in nine forms, the Navadurga, each with her own bhog, colour of devotion and blessing.

This guide walks you through each day of Navratri 2026: which Mata to worship, how to do her puja simply at home, what prasad to offer, and what blessings she grants. It ends with the essential do’s and don’ts so your vrat and puja are complete and joyful.

Navratri 2026 at a glance

One quirk to note this year: the tithis are compressed at the end. Ashtami is present at sunrise on Monday, 19 October but ends at 10:53 AM, after which Navami begins. So Maha Ashtami, the Sandhi Puja and Maha Navami are all observed on 19 October.

Timings vary by city, so confirm the exact tithi and muhurat with your local panchang.

• Day 1 (11 October): Maa Shailaputri

Shailaputri, “daughter of the mountain”, is the daughter of King Himavat and the first form of Durga. She rides the bull Nandi, holding a trident and a lotus. She represents the root chakra (Muladhara) and the firm foundation on which the whole Navratri sadhana rests.

How to worship: After Ghatasthapana, offer white or red flowers, kumkum and akshat to her image beside the kalash. Chant Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah 108 times.

Prasad: Pure cow ghee, offered at her feet or used to make the bhog. After puja, the ghee can be given to a needy person or a Brahmin.

Benefits: Good health, freedom from disease, stability in life and a calm mind. Her worship also strengthens a weak Moon in the horoscope.

• Day 2 (12 October): Maa Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini is the form of Parvati who performed years of penance to win Lord Shiva. She walks barefoot, holding a rosary (japa mala) in one hand and a kamandal in the other, and she is the very image of tapasya and self-control.

How to worship: Offer white flowers, especially jasmine, and sandalwood. Chant Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah. This is a good day to start a new spiritual practice or a study routine.

Prasad: Mishri (sugar crystals), sugar and seasonal fruits. Share the prasad with family members.

Benefits: Patience, willpower, discipline and success in studies and exams. She is believed to bless devotees with a long life and to strengthen Mars, giving courage.

• Day 3 (13 October): Maa Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta wears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. She rides a lion, has ten arms carrying weapons, and stands ready for battle, yet her face is serene. The sound of her bell is believed to drive away negative energies.

How to worship: Ring a bell during aarti, offer red flowers and light incense. Chant Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah.

Prasad: Milk, kheer or sweets made from milk. Feed the prasad to Brahmins or young girls and take it yourself afterwards.

Benefits: Freedom from fear, enemies and negativity, along with peace, prosperity and grace. Her worship is linked with Venus and supports harmony in marriage and relationships.

• Day 4 (14 October): Maa Kushmanda

Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe with her gentle smile, when there was only darkness. She lives in the core of the Sun, has eight arms (hence the name Ashtabhuja) and rides a lion. She is the source of all light and energy.

How to worship: Offer red or orange flowers, roli and a lamp of ghee. Chant Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah. Offering water to the rising Sun on this day is especially fruitful.

Prasad: Malpua. After offering it to the Mata, distribute it at a temple or among Brahmins and family.

Benefits: Health, strength, fame and a sharp mind. She is linked with the Sun, so her worship builds confidence and helps those seeking government favour or leadership roles.

• Day 5 (15 October): Maa Skandamata

Skandamata is the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda), whom she holds in her lap. She sits on a lotus, which is why she is also called Padmasana Devi, and rides a lion. Worshipping her is said to bless the devotee with the grace of both mother and son.

How to worship: Offer yellow flowers and light a diya. Chant Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah. Mothers often pray to her for the wellbeing of their children.

Prasad: Bananas. Offer them at her feet, then give them to Brahmins or share them among family.

Benefits: Blessings for children, healthy progeny, wisdom and success in communication. She is linked with Mercury, which governs intellect, business and speech.

• Day 6 (16 October): Maa Katyayani

Katyayani was born to the sage Katyayan and is the warrior form who slew Mahishasura. She rides a lion and holds a sword and a lotus. The gopis of Vrindavan are said to have worshipped her to win Lord Krishna as their husband.

How to worship: Offer red flowers, turmeric and red chunri. Unmarried girls traditionally chant Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadhishwari, Nandagopasutam devi patim me kuru te namah for a good life partner.

Prasad: Honey. Offer honey and fruits, and share the prasad with family. 

Benefits: Removal of obstacles to marriage, a loving spouse and courage to face adversity. She is linked with Jupiter, the planet of marriage, wisdom and good fortune.

• Day 7 (17 October): Maa Kalaratri

Kalaratri is the fiercest form of Durga. Her complexion is dark as night, her hair is loose, she wears a garland that flashes like lightning, and she rides a donkey. Fierce as she looks, she is also called Shubhankari because she only ever does good for her devotees.

How to worship: Worship at night if possible. Offer blue or red flowers and light a mustard-oil lamp. Chant Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah. Many devotees also read the Durga Saptashati or Durga Kavach on this day.

Prasad: Jaggery (gud), or sweets made with jaggery. Offer it and give part of it to a Brahmin.

Benefits: Protection from evil eye, black magic, accidents and fear of any kind. She is linked with Saturn, so her worship eases Sade Sati and Shani dhaiya.

Sunday, 18 October falls between Saptami and Ashtami this year. Ashtami begins during the day but is not present at sunrise, so there is no new form of the Goddess to install. Continue your daily puja, keep the akhand jyoti burning and prepare for Ashtami.

Day 8 and Day 9 (19 October): Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri This year both forms are worshipped on Monday, 19 October. Ashtami is held until 10:53 AM, then Navami takes over, so plan your Mahagauri puja for the morning and the Siddhidatri puja and havan for later in the day. The Sandhi Puja is done at the meeting of the two tithis, around 10:53 AM.

• Maa Mahagauri (Ashtami)

Mahagauri is radiantly fair, dressed in white and riding a white bull. After her long penance, Lord Shiva bathed her in the Ganga and restored her golden glow. She represents purity, forgiveness and the washing away of past sins.

How to worship: Offer white flowers and white clothes, and chant Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah.

Prasad: Coconut, or sweets made from coconut. Donate a coconut afterwards. 

Benefits: Release from past mistakes, peace in the family and fulfilment of wishes. She is linked with Rahu, so her worship clears confusion and anxiety. 

• Maa Siddhidatri (Navami)

Siddhidatri sits on a lotus and grants all eight siddhis. It is said that even Lord Shiva received his siddhis through her grace, which made half his body hers as Ardhanarishvara.

How to worship: Perform havan with the Durga Saptashati mantras, then do Kanya Pujan. Chant Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah.

Prasad: Sesame (til), along with halwa, puri and black chana for Kanya Pujan. 

Benefits: Spiritual fulfilment, success in all efforts and protection from sudden misfortune. She is linked with Ketu and brings detachment and inner wisdom. Kanya Pujan

Invite nine girls (ideally aged 2 to 10) and one young boy, who represents Langur or Bhairav. Wash their feet, apply kumkum, tie a red thread and serve them halwa, puri and chana. Gift them a red chunri, bangles, fruits and dakshina, and touch their feet before they leave. Kanya Pujan completes the Navratri vrat.

10. Vijayadashami (20 October)

Dussehra celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and Maa Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. Immerse the kalash water and the jaware (barley sprouts), and keep a few sprouts in your locker or wallet for prosperity. Worship the Shami tree and Aparajita Devi, and start new work today; Vijayadashami is one of the most auspicious days of the year.

Do’s and don’ts during Navratri

Do’s

•  Wake up early and bathe before puja. Brahma muhurat, about 90 minutes before sunrise, is the best time for jaap and meditation.
• Keep the home and puja room spotless. Clean daily and place the kalash and the Mata’s image in the north-east (Ishaan) corner of the home.
•  Keep the akhand jyoti burning. If you light one, make sure someone is always home to tend it, and place it on the south-east side of the idol.
• Eat sattvik vrat food. Choose fruits, milk, curd, sabudana, makhana, kuttu, singhara or rajgira flour, potatoes and sendha namak (rock salt).
• Offer each day’s bhog with devotion. Prepare it fresh and clean, and share it after the puja.
• Read the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa daily. Even one chapter or a chalisa a day is enough.
• Respect women and girls. The Goddess lives in every woman; Navratri is incomplete without honouring them.
• Donate. Give food, clothes or dakshina to the needy, especially on Ashtami and Navami.
• Sow and tend the jaware. Water the barley daily; lush green sprouts are considered a sign of prosperity.

Don’ts

• Don’t eat onion, garlic, meat, eggs or alcohol during the nine days, even if you are not fasting.
• Don’t use regular salt or grains if you are keeping the vrat; use sendha namak and vrat flours instead.
• Don’t cut hair, shave or trim nails during Navratri, as tradition advises.
•  Don’t leave the home empty or locked if the kalash and akhand jyoti are installed.
• Don’t sleep during the day when observing a fast; it is believed to reduce the fruit of the vrat.
• Don’t use harsh words, argue or lie. The vrat is as much about the mind and speech as about food.
• Don’t wear black clothes during puja, and avoid leather belts, bags and shoes in the puja room.
• Don’t take the Mata’s bhog before offering it or serve prasad that is stale.
• Don’t fast beyond your health. Pregnant women, the elderly, children and anyone with diabetes or blood pressure should keep a light fast or simply do puja, after consulting a doctor.

Final thoughts

Navratri is a journey through nine forms of the same Mother: from the steady strength of Shailaputri to the complete fulfilment of Siddhidatri. Each day asks for something simple, such as a flower, a lamp, a sincere mantra and a little bhog, and in return offers health, courage, prosperity and peace.

You don’t need an elaborate ritual to receive her blessings. A clean home, a pure heart, the right bhog on the right day and kindness towards others are enough. May Maa Durga fill your home with light this Navratri. Jai Mata Di! Sources

• PanchangBodh: Sharad Navratri 2026 dates and day-wise forms
• Shubh Panchang: Navratri 2026 date and tithi
• Dekho Panchang: Navaratri (Sharad) 2026 muhurat