Chaitra Navratri Calendar 2026

The victory over Mahishasura

The best-known reason is the story told in the Devi Mahatmya (also called the Durga Saptashati, part of the Markandeya Purana). The buffalo demon Mahishasura had won a boon that made him nearly unconquerable and used it to drive the gods out of heaven. The gods pooled their energies, and from that combined radiance the goddess Durga took form, armed by each of them.

In the popular telling she fought him over nine nights and killed him on the tenth day, which is why the nine nights of worship end with Vijayadashami, the 'day of victory'. The festival's central idea is that shakti — divine feminine power — is what restores order when it is threatened.

Rama, Ravana and the 'untimely' worship

Another tradition links the autumn Navratri to the Ramayana. Before the final battle with Ravana, Rama is said to have worshipped Durga to seek her blessing. Because the goddess's regular season of worship was spring, this autumn invocation is remembered in Bengal as Akal Bodhan — the 'untimely awakening' of the goddess.

That is why the nine nights lead straight into Dussehra, when Rama's victory over Ravana is celebrated with Ram Lila and the burning of effigies in north India.

A change of season

Navratri falls twice a year, in Chaitra (spring) and Ashwin (autumn) — the two times when the season turns. The traditional explanation is that these junctions are when the body and mind are most unsettled, so they are treated as a time for restraint, lighter food, prayer and cleansing rather than indulgence. Shardiya (autumn) Navratri is the larger of the two festivals.

Three nights each for three powers

A common way of dividing the nine nights, especially in western and southern India, is into three sets of three: the first three to Durga (removing negativity and fear), the next three to Lakshmi (prosperity and wellbeing), and the last three to Saraswati (knowledge and the arts). It is one traditional lens on the nine nights, not the only one, and it is why books, tools and instruments are worshipped on the last days in some regions.

Setting up: Ghatasthapana

On the first day, a kalash (pot) of water topped with a coconut and mango leaves is installed at the puja space as the seat of the goddess. Barley or wheat is sown in a shallow tray beside it and watered daily; the green shoots that grow through the nine days are taken as a sign of a prosperous year. Many households also light a lamp that is kept burning through the nine days (akhand jyoti). The kalash is best installed in the morning during Pratipada; if that window is awkward, the Abhijit Muhurat around midday is the commonly used alternative — see the Abhijit Muhurat page for your city.

Daily worship

Each day begins with a bath and a resolve (sankalp), followed by worship of that day's form of the goddess with flowers, incense, a lamp, her mantra and her favourite offering (bhog). Many people read or listen to the Durga Saptashati, the Durga Chalisa or the Devi Kavach, and finish the evening with aarti.

Fasting and food

Some devotees fast for all nine days, some only on the first and last, and some on Ashtami alone. A typical fasting diet avoids grains, onion, garlic, meat and alcohol and uses fruit, milk, potatoes, sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat) flour, singhara flour, samak rice and rock salt. Fasting is a personal choice: people who are unwell, pregnant, elderly or on medication should adapt it and speak to their doctor.

Ashtami, Navami and Kanya Puja

On Ashtami or Navami many families invite young girls — seen as embodiments of the goddess — wash their feet, feed them puri, halwa and black chickpeas, and give small gifts. In many homes a boy is included as well, representing a guardian of the goddess. In Bengal the moment Ashtami turns into Navami is marked by Sandhi Puja, sometimes with 108 lamps.

How different regions celebrate

Gujarat: nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas around a lit lamp or image of the goddess.

West Bengal, Odisha, Assam: Durga Puja from Shashthi to Dashami, with large pandals, the Sindoor Khela on Dashami and immersion of the idols.

North India: Ram Lila plays through the nine nights, ending in the burning of Ravana on Dussehra.

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh: displays of dolls (Golu/Bommai Kolu), Ayudha Puja on Navami, and the grand Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka.

Telangana: Bathukamma, a festival of stacked flower arrangements, is celebrated in these days.

Kerala: Vidyarambham, the first writing of letters by children, on Vijayadashami.