Navratri

What Navratri Is

Navratri is a Hindu festival whose name describes a sequence of nine nights devoted to the goddess. Its meaning and timing are shaped by lunar dates, so the festival does not always occupy nine complete calendar days. The autumn observance, Sharad Navratri, takes place in Ashvin and leads into Dussehra. Epic and Puranic traditions offer different accounts of the goddess and of Rama’s connection with autumn worship.

Nine nights of the goddess

The name Navratri joins the Sanskrit words nava, meaning “nine”, and ratri, meaning “night”. It refers to a sequence of worshipful nights, rather than a guarantee that the observance will cover exactly nine full periods from midnight to midnight. The festival honours the divine feminine through forms associated with Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. In many traditions, Durga represents protective power, Lakshmi is associated with prosperity, and Saraswati with learning and the arts; customs and interpretations vary between regions and communities.

Puranic tradition includes accounts of the goddess defeating the buffalo demon Mahishasura, a story that expresses the triumph of divine power over destructive forces. Ramayana traditions connect Rama and the autumn season in different ways. The Krittivasi Ramayan, a Bengali retelling, is particularly associated with the story of Rama’s autumn worship of the goddess before his battle with Ravana. Valmiki’s Ramayana and Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas are major tellings of Rama’s story, but accounts of the goddess and the autumn worship are not identical across these works. These varied sources form part of the mythological background to the Navratri festival.

The dates are governed by tithis, or lunar days. A tithi is measured by the changing angle between the Moon and the Sun: each interval of 12 degrees marks one tithi. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, but their lengths in ordinary clock time vary, averaging about 24 hours and 48 minutes. A lunar day may begin or end between local sunrises, so a tithi can be absent from a sunrise-based calendar date or occur at two successive sunrises. For this reason, Navratri does not always occupy nine full calendar days.

Festival dates can also depend on when a relevant tithi falls during a prescribed period. Pradosh Kaal means the twilight period around sunset, and observances tied to that time may follow a different date rule from those counted at sunrise. Amavasya is the new-moon day and marks a lunar-month boundary; Ashvin is followed by Kartik, although regional calendars differ in how they assign month names. These calendar conventions explain why local listings can differ by a day without changing the underlying lunar observance.

Sharad Navratri and the other Navratris

Hindu calendars recognise four seasonal Navratris. Sharad Navratri is observed in Ashvin, before Dussehra, and is the best-known autumn observance; the other three fall in Chaitra, Magha and Ashadha.

• Sharad Navratri: Observed in Ashvin, it precedes Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami. In 2025 it began on 22 September, and Dussehra followed on 2 October.
• Chaitra Navratri: This spring observance falls in the lunar month of Chaitra, around March or April in the Gregorian calendar, and concludes with the festival of Rama’s birth in many traditions.
• Magha Navratri: This winter observance falls in Magha, usually around January or February. It is less widely observed than the spring and autumn Navratris and is important in some devotional traditions.
• Ashadha Navratri: This early-monsoon observance falls in Ashadha, usually around June or July. Along with Magha Navratri, it is often called a Gupta, or less publicly observed, Navratri.

Sharad dates follow lunar tithis, not fixed Gregorian dates. It ran from 11 to 19 October in 2026, with Dussehra on 20 October; in 2027, it ends on 8 October, the day before Dussehra on 9 October. Local calendars can vary when tithis overlap, are repeated, or fall differently at sunrise or during Pradosh Kaal. Check a local Hindu calendar for the observance dates and tithi timings used in your area.

The Nine Forms of Durga

The Navadurga are nine forms of Goddess Durga associated with the nine nights of Navratri. Together, they express qualities such as devotion, courage, protection and spiritual accomplishment. A widely followed sequence comes from the Devi Kavacha in the Markandeya Purana, though regional and family traditions may interpret names, images and meanings differently. The descriptions below offer a guide to that sequence rather than a rule for every community.

Shailaputri to Siddhidatri

In the widely followed Navadurga sequence, each form has distinctive attributes that help worshippers recognise her in stories and images.

• Shailaputri: The mountain-born goddess is commonly shown riding a bull and carrying a trident and lotus, expressing grounded strength and a close bond with nature.
• Brahmacharini: An ascetic form, she carries prayer beads and a water pot; her image is associated with disciplined devotion, patience and spiritual resolve.
• Chandraghanta: A crescent-shaped mark like a bell adorns her forehead, while her armed, lion-riding image conveys alertness and readiness to protect.
• Kushmanda: Often depicted with multiple arms and a radiant presence, she is linked in devotional accounts with the creation of the cosmic egg.
• Skandamata: Shown with her son Skanda, also known as Kartikeya, seated on her lap, she represents maternal care and protective compassion.
• Katyayani: This warrior form is commonly portrayed riding a lion and bearing weapons, embodying courage in the struggle against harmful forces.
• Kalaratri: Her dark, fierce appearance and protective power are associated with dispelling fear and overcoming danger.
• Mahagauri: Often pictured in white, she signifies serenity and purity; descriptions commonly show her carrying a trident and a small drum.
• Siddhidatri: Frequently shown seated on a lotus, she is associated with granting spiritual accomplishments and bringing the Navadurga sequence to completion.

These attributes are common devotional descriptions, not fixed rules: regional images and accounts can differ in details such as posture, objects held and colour.

What each day represents

The table follows the nine-form sequence associated with the Devi Kavacha in the Markandeya Purana. Its short meanings summarise a widely followed interpretation; the symbolism attached to each day varies across traditions.

Navadurga forms and their commonly associated meanings, following the Devi Kavacha sequence

Day	Form	Meaning
Day 1	Shailaputri	Grounded strength and connection with nature
Day 2	Brahmacharini	Devotion, discipline and perseverance
Day 3	Chandraghanta	Courage and readiness to protect
Day 4	Kushmanda	Creation, radiance and vital energy
Day 5	Skandamata	Maternal care and compassion
Day 6	Katyayani	Courage and the defeat of harmful forces
Day 7	Kalaratri	Protection and the overcoming of fear
Day 8	Mahagauri	Serenity and purity
Day 9	Siddhidatri	Spiritual accomplishment and fulfilment

The day-to-form pairing is a useful guide to one common Navratri observance, while local calendars and devotional customs may frame the sequence differently. Recognising those regional differences respectfully is more meaningful than treating one community’s interpretation as universal.

How Navratri Is Marked

Navratri observances bring devotional practices, regional customs and community gatherings into homes and public spaces. The way people mark the nine nights can differ between families, places of origin and diaspora communities. Some customs focus on food and prayer, while others centre on music, dance or household displays. Knowing that practices vary makes it easier to join celebrations with respect and curiosity.

Fasting and Navratri food

Fasting during Navratri is a personal observance, not one uniform schedule followed by every Hindu household. Some people fast for all nine days, while others observe selected days, eat one meal, or make no dietary change; family tradition, region and individual choice all matter.

When a household observes a fast, its permitted ingredients and meal timings may be quite specific. These are common examples, not a universal menu:

• Sabudana: Tapioca pearls are used in dishes such as khichdi or patties; recipes may combine them with potatoes, peanuts and permitted seasonings.
• Kuttu: Buckwheat flour is often made into flatbreads or batter-based foods, providing an alternative to wheat flour for people observing a fast.
• Singhara flour: Flour made from water chestnut is used in items such as puris or pancakes, though preparation methods differ between families.
• Sendha namak: Rock salt commonly seasons fasting dishes in place of ordinary table salt; some households also limit the amount of spices used.
• Fruit and dairy: Fresh fruit, milk, yoghurt and nuts may feature in fasting meals, with choices depending on household practice and the individual’s observance.
• Foods often avoided: Many observers set aside grains, including rice and wheat, as well as onion and garlic; other restrictions vary by custom.

Some people eat once after sunset, while others have small meals during the day or follow a fruit-based fast. Kanya puja is observed in some communities on the eighth or ninth day, when girls are honoured through a household or community ritual; its timing, participation and associated meal customs vary. If invited to take part, follow the hosts’ lead rather than assuming that a particular fasting pattern applies to everyone.

Garba and dandiya in Gujarat

Garba is a devotional circle dance associated especially with Gujarat and the Navratri festival. Dancers move around a central point, often a lamp or an image of the goddess, following rhythmic claps and live or recorded music. The circular formation is commonly understood as a reminder of continuity and the cycle of life, with the gathering bringing worshippers together through movement.

Dandiya raas is a related partner dance in which participants use short decorated sticks, striking them in time with the music as they move through changing patterns. Garba is often danced with clapping and circular steps, while dandiya involves coordinated exchanges between partners or groups. At many events the two styles appear in the same evening, but their music, steps and formations remain distinct.

The Garba of Gujarat was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023. The inscription recognises the tradition’s living cultural practice and community role; it does not mean that every event follows one fixed choreography. Local music, clothing and dance styles can differ between towns and organisers.

Guests invited to dance can watch a round before joining, follow the direction of the circle and leave enough space for other dancers. For dandiya, wait until you understand the partner pattern before using the sticks, and keep movements controlled in a crowded venue. Ask your hosts whether there is a preferred dress code, which footwear is suitable, and whether beginners should join a particular part of the dance.

Golu in the south and Durga Puja in Bengal

In parts of southern India, Navratri is marked with golu: a tiered display of dolls and figurines arranged on steps in the home. The collection may show deities, scenes from Hindu epics, animals, occupations or everyday life. Families set up the display for the festival and may invite friends and neighbours to visit, making the home itself a place for shared observance.

Customs vary by region and household. In Tamil Nadu, families commonly arrange dolls on an odd number of tiers, though the number and the figures displayed are personal choices. Visitors may be welcomed with songs, prayers or an offering of sundal, a seasoned pulse dish. In Andhra Pradesh, the display is often called Bommala Koluvu; families may include dolls representing deities and scenes from stories, with arrangements and visiting customs differing from one home to another.

Bengal’s Durga Puja has a different public focus: elaborately made images of Goddess Durga are worshipped in temporary community structures known as pandals. The central myth depicts Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, a triumph of divine power over destructive forces. Communities gather for worship, music and visits to the pandals, with the final days bringing the images to a close through farewell rites and immersion. These regional observances share the wider Navratri period but express devotion through distinct local forms.

Navratri in the UK as culture

Across the UK, Hindu communities mark Navratri through a mix of home observances, temple gatherings and public events. Depending on the local community, celebrations may include devotional singing, prayers, Garba or dandiya, and shared meals. Some families retain customs associated with their region of origin; others combine practices or adapt the programme to fit work schedules, venue availability and the needs of younger generations.

There is no single UK-wide way to take part. A temple event may have a more devotional atmosphere than a ticketed dance night, and two households from the same region may follow different routines. Guests can make a good impression by asking their hosts or event organisers about practical details before arriving:

• Dress: Choose neat, comfortable clothing that allows movement; ask whether the event has a traditional dress preference or any guidance about modest attire.
• Footwear: Check whether shoes should be removed at a temple or home, and whether suitable indoor footwear is allowed in the dance area.
• Food: Ask what will be served and tell the host about dietary needs or allergies in advance, rather than assuming every meal follows one fasting pattern.
• Participation: At a dance, watch the circle first, follow the direction of movement and join when invited; beginners can ask someone to show the basic steps.
• Photography: Ask before photographing people, prayers or a household shrine, since preferences differ and some participants may not want to appear in images.
• Customs: If you are unsure when to stand, remove shoes or accept an offering, ask quietly and follow the host’s example.

In the UK, the most reliable approach is to ask your hosts about dietary needs and local customs before attending, then follow their guidance on dress, footwear and participation.

Questions About Navratri

For practical planning, check a local calendar for observance dates and follow the customs of your family or community.

Is Navratri 2026 on 11 October 2026?

Yes. Sharad Navratri 2026 starts on Sunday 11 October and ends with Maha Navami on Monday 19 October. Dussehra follows on Tuesday 20 October 2026, the day after the nine-night observance concludes. These are the dates to use when planning around the 2026 festival.

Do you have to fast during Navratri?

No, fasting during Navratri is optional. Some people fast for a few selected days, while others observe a fast throughout all nine days; many do not fast. The choice depends on family and community customs as well as personal preference, so there is no single fasting practice shared by everyone.

What is the difference between Navratri and Dussehra?

Navratri is the nine-night festival honouring the goddess, while Dussehra is a distinct observance that follows it and marks a victory theme. In many traditions, Dussehra recalls Rama’s victory over Ravana; in others, it is associated with Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. In 2026, Sharad Navratri ends with Maha Navami on Monday 19 October, and Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October.