Navratri Festival

The Popular Navratri Festival

The term Navratri meaning in English is “Nine Nights” i.e. this festival is continued for nine days, counted from the day after the New Moon or Amavasya. The Navaratri start date is noted as the Shukla Paksha period begins. These nine days signify the celebration of feminine energy, where each day is dedicated to a specific form of Maa Durga.

The ritual of fasting for nine days is followed to attract peace, prosperity, and goodness in life. In Hinduism, there are two popular periods of Navaratri: the Chaitra Navaratri and the Shardiya Navaratri. Chaitra occurs in April or March, and Shardiya comes between September and October; its tenth day is Dussehra.

The 9 Days of Navratri Devi Names

Now, let us briefly read about the 9 days of Navratri Devi names and their significance. Pray and fast on these days in Navratri 2026 to attract great blessings.

• Day 1 - Shailaputri Mata

The Navratri start date is called Pratipada. On this day, Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped. She is the daughter of Himavan, the God of the Himalayas and is associated with the planet Moon. Pray to her on this day to attract peace and protection.

• Day 2 – Brahmacharini Mata

The second day of Navratri is known as Dwitiya. This day is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini, associated with planet Mars. Worship her to gain strength and eliminate the negative effects of Mars, if it is weak in your Kundli.

• Day 3 – Chandraghanta Mata

The third day is called Tritiya. On this day, Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped, who is associated with planet Venus. People worship her to attain beauty and bravery. This form of Maa Durga blesses devotees with luck, good health and prosperity.

• Day 4 – Kushmanda Mata

The fourth day of Navaratri is known as Chaturthi. Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on this day and is seen as a symbol of the creative power of the universe. She is associated with the planet Sun. Pleasing her attracts balance in life and offers beautiful skin.

• Day 5 – Skandamata Mata

The fifth day is known as Panchami. On this day, Goddess Skandamata is worshipped. Seen as a motherly figure, she is associated with the planet Mercury. When pleased, she blesses her devotees with optimism, energy and creativity.

• Day 6 – Katyayani Mata

The sixth day is known as the Shashtami. On this day, Goddess Katyayani is worshipped, who is a warrior goddess and is symbolic of courage and power. Associated with the planet Jupiter, she represents purity, simplicity, and peace.

• Day 7 – Kaalaratri Mata

The seventh of the Navratri festival is called Maha Saptami. This day is dedicated to Goddess Kaalaratri, who is associated with Saturn. She is the fierce form of Durga Maa who fights demons and defeats them. She blesses her devotees with courage and power.

• Day 8 – Mahagauri Mata

The eighth day of Navratri is called Mahashtami or Maha Durgashtami. On this day, people worship goddess Mahagauri, who also offers the favours of planet Rahu. The day involves worshipping the young girls, followed by prayers and dance.

• Day 9 – Siddhidatri Mata

The ninth and last day of Navratri is called Navami. On this day, Siddhidatri Mata is worshipped, who is associated with planet Ketu. Fasting and offering prayers to this devi attracts intelligence and peace.

What Are the Rituals for Navratri 2026?

The Navaratri 2026 festival is marked by various rituals and practices that honor the divine feminine energy.

• Sacred Pot-Installing: On the first day of Navratri, devotees perform Ghatasthapana, which involves installing a sacred pot filled with water, praying for the goddess's presence.
• Fasting and Dietary Customs: Many observe fasts, avoiding certain foods or consuming a specific diet from the Navratri start date to the last.
• Recitation of Sacred Texts: Devotees chant mantras and recite scriptures like the Durga Saptashati to seek the goddess's blessings.
• Aarti and Bhajans: Daily worship includes performing aarti (a ritual of light) and singing bhajans (devotional songs) to express respect and devotion.
• Community Dances: In regions like Gujarat, traditional dances such as Garba and Dandiya Raas are performed, encouraging community bonding and celebrating the goddess.

Special Navratri Katha For Fasting

Celebrated over nine days, Navratri symbolises the victory of good over evil and the celebration of feminine power. Read this special story behind Navratri festival, recited during its fasting ritual - the Navratri Katha.

Sumati And Her Fasting On Maa Durga

Sumati, daughter of Brahmin Anath, was a devotee of Goddess Durga. One day, she missed a puja, angering her father, who punished her by marrying her to a person with leprosy. Heartbroken, she accepted her fate and spent the night in the jungle.

Pleased with her past virtuous deeds, Goddess Durga appeared and revealed that Sumati unknowingly fasted during Navaratri in her past life, earning divine blessings. The Goddess promised that if Sumati observed just one day of Navaratri fast, her husband would be cured.

Sumati followed the advice, and her husband was miraculously healed, proving the power of devotion. Since then, Navartri fasting is believed to bring her divine blessings on our family and us.

Dos and Don'ts During Navaratri Fasting

Observing certain practices during Navaratri can enhance your spiritual experience. Here’s what to do in Navratri and what mistakes to avoid.

• Begin each day with a bath and keep your surroundings, particularly the prayer area tidy.
• Perform rituals, especially fasting for Maa Durga, and seek her blessings.
• Refrain from consuming meat, eggs, and fish during the festival.
• Exclude Onion and Garlic, as these are considered impure and are typically avoided during Navaratri.
• Consumption of alcohol or smoking is discouraged to maintain spiritual purity.

How Navratri Is Celebrated Across India

While the spiritual core of Navratri stays the same everywhere, the way it's celebrated changes dramatically from region to region. Let's look at some of the most popular Navaratri celebrations across India.

Gujarat (and the West)

This is where Navratri reaches its most spirited form. Towns and cities fill with colour and rhythm as people gather in open spaces wearing traditional attire to perform Garba and Dandiya.

Each evening, fasting women direct their prayers toward an earthen pot lit with diyas, called a garbo, which represents the source of life, while the accompanying light symbolises shakti, or power.

West Bengal (and the East)

Here, the Navratri festival takes the form of Durga Puja, the region's biggest festival. Giant pandals, or temporary temples, go up across cities, drawing crowds to admire elaborately crafted idols of Durga and her children.

On the festival's final day, devotees carry the idols to the river for immersion in a grand procession. A popular local custom is "pandal hopping," where people tour different neighbourhoods to compare the artistry and themes of each pandal.

Kerala (and the South)

Navratri, known locally as Navarathri, centres on special pujas and traditional performances, including the masked Kummattikali dance. A distinctive local ritual, Ayudha Puja, involves worshipping one's tools, instruments, and vehicles as an expression of gratitude for the means of one's livelihood.

Uttar Pradesh (and the North)

During Navratri festival here, devotees visit Devi temples, chant mantras to the goddess's daily forms, and perform Kalash Sthapana at home and in temples. Fasting is observed strictly, with many eating just once a day or sticking to fruit, milk, and fasting-friendly grains.

The States also conduct open-air re-enactments of the Ramayana on Dussehra. You also see riverfront aartis and towering images of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad set to burn alongside fireworks and folk chants.

Summary

Navratri 2026 celebrates nine sacred nights dedicated to Maa Durga’s nine forms. Devotees fast, pray, perform rituals, and seek blessings for strength, peace, and prosperity. It symbolises feminine power, spiritual growth, and the victory of good over evil.

Read About Other Important Festivals