Navratri 2026 dates
Chaitra Navratri is the spring observance; Sharad or Shardiya Navratri is the autumn observance. The dates below name their regional reference so that a festival period is not mistaken for a universal ritual schedule.
Sharad Navratri: 11–20 October 2026
The Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India listing gives this festival period for Navratri Utsav in Maharashtra, using Maharashtra Tourism as its source. It is a festival date range, not a Ghatasthapana or fasting-break time.
Durga Puja: a named temple schedule
Belur Math in Howrah, West Bengal, announces Saptami on 18 October, Mahashtami on 19 October and Mahanavami with Homa on 20 October 2026, following the Vishuddha Siddhanta almanac. These dates describe Belur Math's observance; other traditions may schedule rituals differently.
Chaitra Navratri began on 19 March 2026
Akashvani's 19 March bulletin reports the start of Chaitra Navratri that day. The official Delhi holiday calendar lists Ram Navami on 26 March. These are separate references for the start of the festival and the holiday; they do not establish a Parana time.
References: Akashvani's 19 March report and Delhi's 2026 holiday calendar.
Which local times should I use?
Lunar tithis do not follow civil midnight boundaries. A festival range should not be converted into a ritual schedule by adding one day to each goddess name. Confirm Ghatasthapana, Homa and fasting-break times with the temple or tradition you follow.
Historical reference: Sharad Navratri 2025
Akashvani's 22 September 2025 evening bulletin identifies that day as the first day of Navratri. Belur Math's separate Durga Puja programme lists Saptami on 29 September, Mahashtami on 30 September and Mahanavami on 1 October. These are past dates with their own regional context.
References: Akashvani, 22 September 2025 and Belur Math's 2025 programme.
References reviewed 23 September 2026.