New Delhi: In Sanatan tradition, Shardiya Navratri, which starts from Pratipada of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month, is considered to be the most sacred and energetic festival of Shakti worship. According to Goddess Bhagwat, during these nine days, Mother Durga, the primal power of the universe, resides on earth among her devotees. In the year 2026, Shardiya Navratri is starting from 11th October. This time, this great festival is very special from the religious point of view and is full of curiosity, because due to the movement of planets and stars and special changes in dates, the worship of Durga Ashtami and Mahanavami will be performed on the same day.
Kalash Sthapana Muhurta from 11th October
Ashwin Shukla Pratipada Tithi will enter at 9:19 pm on 10th October, which will remain till 9:30 pm the next day on 11th October. The first day of Navratri will be considered on 11th October only. From this day, a resolution will be taken for fasting and worship rituals that will last for nine days.
Establishment of Kalash has a very special significance in the worship of Goddess. On October 11, the best time for Ghatasthapana will be from 6:19 am to 10:12 am. Apart from this time period of about 3 hours 52 minutes, those devotees who cannot perform the puja in the morning can also establish the post of Maa Durga in Abhijit Muhurta between 11:44 pm to 12:31 pm.
Nine days of Navratri and worship of new forms of Goddess Bhagwati
Each day of Navratri is dedicated to the consciousness of a specific form of Navadurga. On the first day i.e. on 11th October, the festival will be inaugurated with the worship of Maa Shailputri, daughter of the mountain king Himalaya. After this, Maa Brahmacharini, the goddess of austerity, will be worshiped on 12th October, Chandraghanta, the ultimate peace giver, on 13th October, Maa Kushmanda, who created the universe, and on 15th October, Maa Skandamata will be worshipped.
In the latter part of the festival, there will be a tradition of worshiping Maa Katyayan, who appeared from the penance of Maharishi Katyayan on 16th October, Maa Kalratri, who destroys time, on 17th October, the most holy Maa Mahagauri on 18th October and Maa Siddhidatri, who bestows all siddhis, on 19th October.
There will be a great confluence of Ashtami and Navami on the same day
This time, due to the subtle change in the order of dates, the main puja rituals of both Durga Ashtami and Mahanavami will be performed simultaneously on Monday, October 19. From the religious point of view, it is considered a rare coincidence, in which along with the worship of Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri, the ritual of the famous Sandhi Puja will also take place on this day. Devotees who perform Kanya Puja and Havan on Ashtami or Navami Tithi should complete their rituals only after having correct knowledge of Kaal-Muhurta as per the local calendar.
Shardiya Navratri in Ashwin month
Clean the north-east corner of the house or the place of worship, spread a red or yellow cloth on a wooden post and install the idol of Maa Durga. After this, fill a wide earthen vessel with pure soil and sow barley in it. Fill a copper or brass urn with water and put Akshat, Roli, betel nut and coin in it. Place five mango or Ashoka leaves on the mouth of the Kalash and install a coconut tied with Kalava on it. After this, take water and rice in hand and take a pledge to fast and worship for nine days. Those families which have a tradition of lighting the Akhand Jyoti, should light the lamp by placing it in a place protected from the wind.
Main rules to be kept in mind during Sadhana
Navratri is a festival of meditation and self-control. It is considered mandatory to maintain a virtuous atmosphere at home during these nine days. One should stay away from Tamasic food, alcohol and any kind of unrighteous conduct. Devotees observing fast should take the decision of fasting without water or eating fruits as per their physical capacity. After the completion of Navratri, the holy festival of Vijayadashami will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. On the same day, Dussehra festival will be organized to symbolize the victory of good over evil and this nine-day Mahayagya will be concluded by immersing the idols of Maa Durga installed in various puja pandals and homes.