How to Celebrate Navratri: A Day-by-Day Guide to the Nine Nights

Navratri, from the Sanskrit words "nava" (nine) and "ratri" (night), is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shakti, the divine feminine power, worshipped across nine evenings as the goddess Durga in nine forms known as Navadurga, according to Wikipedia's overview of the festival.

What the Festival Marks

The most widely observed version, Sharad Navratri, falls in the post-monsoon autumn and is celebrated across India, per Wikipedia. The festival commemorates Durga's mythological victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, a story taken as a symbol of good triumphing over evil, as explained on Hindu religious products retailer Giri's festival guide.

In 2026, Sharad Navratri runs from October 11 to October 19, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) falling on October 20, according to Giri's guide and corroborated by theme-park operator Imagicaa's day-by-day breakdown.

Step-by-Step: How People Observe the Nine Nights

1. Begin with Kalash Sthapana (also called Ghatasthapana) on day one: a water-filled sacred vessel is placed in a home shrine with prayers, and barley seeds are often sown nearby to symbolize growth and new beginnings, per Giri's ritual guide.
2. Observe a fast for some or all of the nine days. Practices range from water-only fasts to meals limited to fruit or sattvic (pure) food, while avoiding meat, eggs, alcohol, onion and garlic, according to Wikipedia.
3. Follow each day's designated goddess and color if participating in the popular dress-by-color tradition: wear or display that day's shade as a mark of respect, per Imagicaa's color guide.
4. Visit temples and recite prayers to the day's goddess. On October 13, 2026 (day three, dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a message on social media wishing that "her grace bring welfare to all," describing the goddess as one of "courage, peace, and divine power," according to a report by AP7AM.
5. Perform Kanya Puja, typically on Ashtami or Navami (days eight or nine): young girls are honored as living representations of the goddess, with families washing their feet and offering food and gifts, as described by Giri.
6. Join or watch Garba and Dandiya Raas, circular folk dances performed in Gujarat and increasingly across India and its diaspora, held in the goddess's honor, per Giri and Wikipedia.
7. Mark the tenth day, Vijayadashami/Dussehra, which closes the festival with the symbolic triumph of good over evil, sometimes including idol immersion or the burning of effigies representing evil, according to Wikipedia.

The Nine Days, Goddesses and Colors (2026)

The color assignments and day-wise goddess list above come from Imagicaa's 2026 Navratri guide. The site notes the colors are tied to symbolic themes — for example, orange for "energy, enthusiasm, and positivity" on day one and purple for "ambition, spirituality, and power" on day eight.

Regional Variations

Celebrations differ by region, per Wikipedia. Eastern India, particularly West Bengal, emphasizes Durga Puja, with elaborate temporary pandals and clay idol crafting. Gujarat is known for Garba dancing performed around a central lamp or idol. South India observes Ayudha Puja, in which tools, weapons and instruments are ritually blessed.

There is also a spring observance, Chaitra Navratri, held in March–April, which coincides with the Hindu lunar new year and concludes with Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, according to Wikipedia.