What Is Gupt Navratri?

The term "Gupt Navratri" means "the secret nine nights", dedicated to the worship of the Ten Mahavidyas—the powerful forms of Goddess Durga. Read below to know more!

Gupt Navratri 2026 Date and Time

Below are the dates for both Gupt Navratri 2026.

Magha Gupt Navratri 2026 Dates

Navratri DayNavratri Day and DateNavratri Goddess Puja
Day 119th January 2026 MondayGhatasthapana, Shailputri Puja
Day 220th January 2026 TuesdayBrahmacharini Puja
Day 321st January 2026 WednesdayChandraghanta Puja
Day 422nd January 2026 ThursdayKushmanda Puja
Day 523rd January 2026 FridaySkandamata Puja
Day 624th January 2026 SaturdayKatyayani Puja
Day 725th January 2026 SundayKalaratri Puja
Day 826th January 2026 MondayMahagauri Puja
Day 927th January 2026 TuesdaySiddhidatri Puja
Day 1028th January 2026 WednesdayNavratri Parana

Ashadha Gupt Navratri 2026 Dates

Navratri DayNavratri Day and DateNavratri Goddess Puja
Day 115th July 2026 WednesdayGhatasthapana, Shailputri Puja
Day 216th July 2026 ThursdayBrahmacharini Puja
Day 317th July 2026 FridayChandraghanta Puja, Kushmanda Puja
Day 418th July 2026 SaturdaySkandamata Puja
Day 519th July 2026 SundayKatyayani Puja
Day 620th July 2026 MondayKalaratri Puja
Day 721st July 2026 TuesdayDurga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja
Day 822nd July 2026 WednesdaySandhi Puja, Siddhidatri Puja
Day 923rd July 2026 ThursdayNavratri Parana

Connect with an astrologer via Call/ Chat @ ₹ 1

What Are The Types Of Gupt Navratri?

The two Gupto Navratri are lesser-known yet effective festivals. They are primarily observed by Tantriks, spiritual seekers, and Sadhus for nine days and end on the 10th day.

1. Magha Gupt Navratri 2026

Also known as Shishir Navaratri, it is observed for nine days, plus an extra day, with prayers to the Dasa Mahavidya for success in all new tasks that a person takes up. It falls in the Magha month of the Hindu calendar between January and February.

2. Ashada Gupt Navratri 2026

Ashada Gupt Navratri, also known as Varahi Navratri, falls in the Ashada month of the Hindu Calendar. People pray secretly during these 9+1 days, praising Maa Varahi, alongside the 10 Mahavidyas, for wealth, protection, and peace.

What Is The Significance of Gupt Navratri 2026?

The Significance of Gupt Navaratri lies in doing all its rituals in secret. But why is it necessary to practice this festival without telling anyone? Let us understand below.

  • Fulfils all kinds of wishes: Practising Puja in secret during the 9 days, plus the 10th day of Gupt, is said to convert any dream into reality.
  • Pleases 10 Mahavidhya: Celebrating this Navratri impresses 10 Mahavidhya (Tantric forms of Durga). They together represent Siddhi, or supreme knowledge.
  • Enhances Spiritual Practices: Doing Mantra, Sadhna or Yantra puja during this time boosts their effectiveness. It is quite popular in Tantra Sadhna.
  • Brings Inner Transformation: Secretly performing daily rituals of Gupt helps control negative thoughts. It also keeps evil eyes away.

Why Should You Worship Mahavidhya In Gupt Navratri?

To effectively get the blessings of Mahavidhya during Magha and Ashada Gupto Navratri, one must worship all 10 of its forms.

  1. Maa Kali

  • Signifies: Goddess of Power and Transformation
  • Benefit: Worship Maa Kali to boost self-awareness and feel peace.

  1. Maa Tara

  • Signifies : Goddess of ultimate knowledge and compassion.
  • Benefit : Worship Maa Tara during Gupt for clarity during challenges.

  1. Maa Tripura Sundari (Shodashi)

  • Signifies : Goddess of beauty and perfection
  • Benefit : Worship Maa Shodashi for spiritual growth and higher wisdom.

  1. Maa Bhuvaneshwari

  • Signifies : Universal Mother - Ruler of entire universe
  • Benefit : Worship Maa Bhuvaneshwari to enhance creativity in all situations.

  1. Maa Chhinnamasta

  • Signifies : Goddess of self-sacrifice and Yogic power
  • Benefit : Worship Maa Chhinnamasta to detach from old patterns and past pain.

  1. Maa Tripura Bhairavi

  • Signifies : The Goddess who keeps away fear
  • Benefit : Worship Maa Tripura Bhairavi to attain success in goals fearlessly.

  1. Maa Dhumavati

  • Signifies : The Widowed Goddess - Smoke of Creation & Cancellation
  • Benefit : Worship Maa Dhumavati, who cancels misfortune and removes poverty.

  1. Maa Bagalamukhi

  • Signifies : Goddess of Victory and Clarity
  • Benefit : Worship Maa, who paralyses enemies, controls speech and disputes.

  1. Maa Matangi

  • Signifies : Goddess of art, music, knowledge, and speech
  • Benefit : Worship Maa Matangi for inner peace and aligning with your creative side.

  1. Maa Kamala

  • Signifies : Goddess of Purity and Abundance
  • Benefit : Worship the Lotus goddess for prosperity, wealth, and good luck.

What Are The Rituals Of Gupt Navratri?

The following are rituals or Puja Vidhi observed during Magha and Ashada Gupt Navaratri. Note that one must do these very privately and repeat them daily for 10 days.

  1. Wake up during Brahma Muhurat, take a bath, wear clean clothes and swear to keep fast for 9+1 days.
  2. Clean the Puja space, place Maa Durga idol on a red cloth and light a diya.
  3. Next, do Kalash or Ghatasthapana, usually between 5:28 am and 7 am.
  4. Now, perform Maa Durga Abhishekam by offering a red chunari and 16 Shringar (cosmetic items).
  5. Apply sindoor tilak to the idol and light an Akhand Jot diya using cow ghee. Offer a garland of hibiscus flowers to the devi.
  6. Finally, read the Durga Saptashati and offer a bhog of puri, batasha, chana, halwa, fruits and sweets to Maa Durga.

What Are The Fasting Guidelines For Gupto Navratri?

People who wish to celebrate Gupt Navaratri are often confused about what to eat during the festival while fasting. Here are fasting guidelines to follow in Magha and Ashada Navratri.

  • No salt: Avoid common salt. Only Sendha namak will be used for meals during the Gupt fasting.
  • Phalahari Vrat : Consuming only fruits and milk/dairy products such as Kheer, Halwa, raw fruits, juices and smoothies. Keep yourself hydrated with buttermilk, yoghurt and coconut water.
  • Ekana Vrat : Eating one meal a day, typically in the evening, after puja. Popular food items include Sama ke Chawal, Sago, and dishes of Buckwheat flour, Water chestnut flour, etc.

What Are The Dos and Don’ts During Gupt Navratri 2026?

The Gupto Navratri is a strict 9+1-day observance to fulfil all your long-due wishes. To please Mahavidhya, one must observe certain dos and don’ts.

  • Devotees observing the fast must not wear black clothes.
  • No one is allowed to cut hair during this time.
  • During the Gupt nine days, devotees must sleep on the floor and avoid sitting on raised surfaces.
  • Keep adding cow ghee to the Akhand Jot diya. It should not blow off till the 9 days plus the last day.
  • Leather products should be strictly avoided during this time.

Conclusion

Gupt Navratri 2026 is a period for intense spiritual practice. Dedicated to the Ten Mahavidyas and Goddess Durga, it is a time for people to attain spiritual power and inner transformation away from public view.

Read About Other Important Festivals

Frequently Asked Questions

The two Gupt Navratris occur during the Hindu lunar months of Ashada (June-July) and Magha ( January-February) in Shukla Paksha. These are lesser-known and done to fulfil desires in secret.
Ashada Gupto Navratri is observed to pray to Maa Varahi, alongside the 10 Mahavidyas, to remove any challenges related to peace, money, and safety. And Magha Navratri is a time to pray to Mahavidhya to fulfil an intention or achieve success in a new task.
Gupto Navratri, also called Secret Navratri, is a period of worshipping Maa Durga, recalling her Mahavidhya form. Doing this, particularly through secret and intense spiritual practices, is said to fulfil any desire.
Gupto Navratri is celebrated the same way as popular Navratri, but in secret. Observing a fast for 9 days for the 10 Mahavidhya forms of Maa Durga, followed by Gathsthapana, aarti, and bhog.
Yes, normal people can observe Gupt Navratri. While it's known for its association with tantric practices and secret rituals, anyone can pray to Maa Durga’s Mahadvidhya forms for their deep wishes.
No, non-vegetarian food is generally avoided during Gupt, just as it is during other Navratris. Devotees typically avoid meat, fish, and eggs during this period, opting for a sattvic diet (vegetarian) instead.

Top Reads Just for You

View allarrow