With changes in the air, temples echo with bhajans, vrat, and devotion to the goddess. Navratri this year begins on Sunday, 11 Oct. Dussehra is on the 20th. These nine days, we worship none of the forms of Goddess Durga. People start rituals with full faith and pure devotion from day one. This is called Ghatasthapana. Day by day, every night, worship the goddess, sing aarti, and play garba to celebrate these nine days. Navaratri asks us to look at the shakti around us, in people who rise against the odds every single day. As we welcome Shardiya Navaratri 2026, here’s a short guide. It covers the dates and rituals. Also, here’s a thought to carry through these nine days.
Shardiya Navratri Dates are:-
11 October (Sunday)- Day 1, Ghatasthapana
18 October (Sunday) – Durga Ashtami
19 October (Monday)- Maha Navami
20 October (Tuesday)- Dussehra
What Is Shardiya Navratri?
There are four Navratris in a year, but this one, in the month of Ashwin, is the big one. The weather turns a bit cooler, the festival season begins, and Diwali is only a few weeks away. For nine nights, Devotees worship Maa Durga in her nine forms. On the tenth day, Dussehra, we burn Ravan and celebrate Maa Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.
The 9 Forms of Maa Durga
Day 1- Shailputri
Day 2- Brahmacharini
Day 3- Chandraghanta
Day 4- Kushmanda
Day 5- Skandamata
Day 6- Katyayani
Day 7- Kalaratri
Day 8- Mahagauri
Day 9- Siddhidatri
Navratri Vrat: What to eat and what to skip
In Navratri, you can eat Sabudana Khichdi, kuttu ki puri, singhare ke atte ki roti, makhana, fruit, curd, paneer, and also with sendha namak, which will see you through nine days. Regular salt, wheat, rice, and most pulses are out for those following the vrat strictly.
A few things from experience. Don’t skip meals for six or seven hours. Headaches and acidity often follow. Sip water, nimbu pani, or chaas all day. Avoid fried foods; too many kuttu pakoras by day. If you have diabetes, blood pressure problems, or are pregnant, talk to your doctor. Also, talk to your doctor if you take regular medicine. Do this before you start.
A partial vrat is perfectly fine. There’s another side to this: A few hours of hunger gives you a small taste of how it feels when meals are not certain. For many families, that’s just life, not a vrat.
Remembering that makes the fast mean something more. By day three or four, you will see thin green shoots. If they come up yellow, don’t worry: many families see that, and it is just a matter of light and soil.
Kanya Pujan: Ashtami or Navami?
Both days are good, and families go by their own customs. This year, it’s 18 or 19 October. Nine girls are invited home;, their feet are washed, tilak is applied, and they are served halwa, kala chana, and puri. A small gift follows, maybe a pencil box, a book, or some money for little girls.
Tell the timing in advance to the parents, so children get ready before going to their house.
If a girl is devi for one day, she should get a fair chance at school, health, and safety for the other 364 days. Think about whether there’s a child near you who has dropped out and needs help with fees or books. That is kind of kanya pujan too.
Do a little service this Navratri
You don’t need to plan anything big. Check on an elderly neighbour. Send food to the guard’s family. Pay for a child’s notebooks. Always hold the door for someone using a wheelchair. If you SEE a step without a ramp in your office or community, inform the concerned person. Differently-abled individuals face these small blocks every day, and most can be fixed once someone notices.
At Narayan Seva Sansthan, we see what a little help does for a person, whether it’s a pair of crutches, a corrective surgery, or just being given a chance to study. If you want to be part of that work, you are welcome at narayanseva.org
Conclusion
Navratri is a festival of faith, devotion, and kindness. It doesn’t matter if you fast for all nine days or just a few. What counts is praying with a sincere heart.
Along with your prayers, try to do one small good deed during these nine days. Help someone in need and support differently abled girls through Narayan Seva Sansthan, or simply be kind to the people around you.
May Maa Durga bless you and your family with good health, prosperity, peace, and happiness. Jai Mata Di.