Navratri 2026: Vrat Vidhi, Nine Goddesses, What to Eat and Avoid
Quick answer: During Navratri, the nine forms of Mata Durga are worshipped over nine days. Each day observe ghatasthapana, aarti, chalisa, and Durga Saptashati recitation. Eat fruit, sabudana, singhara flour, and milk during the vrat.
At a glance
- Date 2026 (Sharad)
- Approx. 21–29 September 2026 (confirm with your local panchang)
- Deity
- Nine forms of Mata Durga (Navdurga)
- Tithi
- Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami
- Vrat
- All nine days or just first and Ashtami–Navami; grains are forbidden
- Conclusion
- Kanya pujan on Ashtami or Navami; Durga Visarjan on Dashami (Vijayadashami)
Navratri Puja Vidhi — Nine-Day Daily Routine
- Pratipada (Day 1): Perform Ghatasthapana. Fill an earthen pot with water, sow barley seeds in it, place a coconut on top, and perform the puja.
- Each morning after bathing, offer flowers, fruit, chunari (red dupatta), sindoor, and naivedya to Mata Durga.
- Recite the Durga Chalisa, one chapter of Durga Saptashati, or the Durga Aarti.
- On each of the nine days, focus on one specific form of the Devi — from Shailputri on Day 1 to Siddhidatri on Day 9.
- On Ashtami or Navami, perform Kanya Pujan: invite nine girls aged 2 to 10, wash their feet, apply tilak, feed them, and offer dakshina.
- On Dashami (Vijayadashami), perform the Ghat Visarjan and conclude the vrat.
Navratri Nine Goddesses — Day by Day
- Day 1 — Shailputri: Daughter of the Himalayas; wear white
- Day 2 — Brahmacharini: Goddess of penance and renunciation; green is auspicious
- Day 3 — Chandraghanta: Grants peace and courage; wear yellow
- Day 4 — Kushmanda: Creator of the universe; orange is auspicious
- Day 5 — Skandamata: Mother of Kartikeya; wear white
- Day 6 — Katyayani: Slayer of Mahishasura; red is auspicious
- Day 7 — Kalaratri: Destroyer of darkness; wear blue
- Day 8 — Mahagauri: Goddess of purity and compassion; wear pink
- Day 9 — Siddhidatri: Bestower of all powers; wear purple or multicolour
What to Eat During Navratri Vrat
- Sabudana khichdi and sabudana vada
- Kuttu (buckwheat) flour puris or pakoras
- Singhara (water chestnut) flour halwa
- Fruits — banana, apple, pomegranate, grapes
- Milk, curd, makhana kheer, paneer
- Potato sabzi (made with sendha namak / rock salt)
- Rajgira (amaranth) ladoo or kheer
Navratri dates change every year. Confirm with your local panchang.
Frequently asked questions
Which salt should I use during Navratri vrat?
Use sendha namak (rock salt). Regular table salt and iodised salt are not permitted during the vrat.
When and how to perform Kanya Pujan?
On Ashtami or Navami, invite nine girls aged 2 to 10. Wash their feet, apply tilak, offer halwa-puri-chana as prasad, and give dakshina and a red chunari.
What is the difference between Sharad and Chaitra Navratri?
There are two Navratris in a year. Chaitra Navratri (March-April) falls at the start of the Hindu New Year, and Sharad Navratri (October) comes before Dussehra. The puja vidhi is the same for both.