ALL YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT NAVRATRI
Navratri means the nine nights of vibrant worship, music that echoes in the soul, and a spectacle of colours that illuminates the darkest nights. Navratri, which translates to “nine nights” in Sanskrit, is not merely a festival; it’s a grand carnival of spirituality and cultural splendour. Join me on a fascinating journey through the enchanting realms of Navratri to learn about the significance, rituals, dos and don’ts, celebrations, and more. Sharadiya Navratri: 2026 Shardiya Navratri starts on Monday, October 11, 2026, and will continue till the Dussehra celebration on Tuesday, 20 October, 2026. Besides, Goddess Durga arrives on an elephant this year too and she will depart on a horse . The Visarjan (immersion) of the idol of Maa Durga will be on Vijayadashami, i.e., on 20 October 2026. Nine Nights – Three Dimensions The nine days of Navratri are a symbolic journey. In the first three days, the focus is on overcoming laziness and inertia (Tamas). The next three days are about controlling and overcoming our desires and passions (Rajas). Finally, the last three days are dedicated to maintaining our minds in a state of purity and wisdom (Sattva). Thus, the nine days are an opportunity to recharge our energies. For the first three days, we worship Maa Durga, seeking her strength. Then, we turn our attention to Maa Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, for the next three days. Finally, we invoke Maa Saraswati, representing knowledge and wisdom, during the last three days of Navratri. The tenth day of the festival marks Vijayadashami, also popularly known as Dussehra. The three goddesses are the incarnations of Shakti, the mother goddess. Each goddess signifies different aspects of life, guiding us toward a balanced and harmonious existence. Colours of Navratri Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific colour, and devotees wear clothes of that colour to celebrate the festival. The colours may vary based on different traditions and regions, but generally, the colours for the nine days of Navratri are: Day 1 (Pratipada): Orange Day 2 (Dwitiya): White Day 3 (Tritiya): Red Day 4 (Chaturthi): Royal Blue Day 5 (Panchami): Yellow Day 6 (Sashti): Green Day 7 (Saptami): Peacock Green Day 8 (Ashtami): Purple Day 9 (Navami): Grey Ghatasthapana Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Navratri. Wheat, Jowar, barley, or Sapta Dhanya (seeds of seven different grains) is sown in a clay flat pot on the first day of Navratri. Then water is sprinkled, and it is covered with Mango leaves. The first shoots will appear on the third day. It then grows quickly, symbolically representing fertility, hope, and progress. It is also a sign of good health and wealth. To explore powerful astrological remedies during Navratri, don’t miss our detailed guide here: Mantra Remedies for Navratri. Kanya Pujan Kanya Puja, also known as Kanjak Puja, is a ritual on the eighth (Ashtami) and ninth (Navami) days of Navratri. It is a way of honouring the divine feminine energy and acknowledging the power of Maa Durga. The rituals include washing their feet, tying a red sacred thread (mauli) to their wrists, and applying a tilak to their foreheads. Then touch their feet and seek the Goddess’s blessings through them. During the ritual, devotees welcome nine girls into their homes and offer presents and tasty bhog prasad to them. Special bhog dishes (kanjak) include poori, chana, sheera/halwa, sweets and kheer, while gifts include new dresses, bangles and money. Fasting/Vrat Fasting during Navratri is a way to purify the body and soul, enhance spirituality, and build self-discipline. Types of Fasting: There are different ways people observe fasts during Navratri. Some people abstain from all kinds of food and consume only water or fruits for the entire duration. Others opt for a diet that excludes certain foods like grains, non-vegetarian items, onion, and garlic. Use rock salt instead of common salt for cooking. Foods Allowed: One can have fruits, milk, yoghurt, and specific flours like buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta) or water chestnut flour (singhara atta), nuts, seeds, dry fruits and coconut. Moreover, you can prepare simple dishes like Sabudana Vada, Sabudana Khichdi, Singhare ka Halwa, Kuttu Ki Poori, Singhare Ke Pakore, as well as sweet potato, arbi (colocasia), and yam (suran). Foods to Avoid: Grains like wheat, rice, and oats; lentils like dals and pulses; non-vegetarian foods; onion, garlic, ginger, and certain spices like turmeric, cumin, and mustard. Breaking the Fast: The fast is normally broken in the evening with a special meal called “prasad” that is offered to the Goddess first and then consumed. What to do during Navratri? Worship Goddess Durga daily, light lamps, offer flowers, and perform aarti to seek the blessings of the Goddess. Blow the conch daily after prayers. Smoke Guggul or Sambrani on dried cow dung and circulate it all around the house. Decorate Your Entrance Door with Mango Leaves. Draw a Swastika at the main entrance. Plant a Tulsi plant in the northeastern corner of your house Light an Akhand Deep. Fire is a form of energy (Shakti). If possible, light a Ghee Lamp. Install a Kalash filled with water and vibrant flowers during Navratri. Offer some homemade bhog or prasad to the Goddess every day; if not possible, then milk, fruits, and dry fruits will suffice. Fast to detoxify the body. You can fast with just fruits and water, or small quantities of foods allowed during fasting. Stay barefoot and wearing clean clothes. Water plants and trees. If possible, offer green grass to cows. Do prayers and mantra chanting. Read or listen to Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa. The order of reciting Durga Saptashati daily is: Trayanga Mantra, then Devi Mahatmya text, followed by Devi Suktam. Meditate to