Navratri 2026 Dates: When Is Ghatasthapana? Check 9 Days, Goddess Names, Colours And Dussehra Date

Shardiya Navratri 2026 is going to begin on Sunday, October 11, and continue for nine days until Monday, October 19. The festival will conclude with Vijayadashami or Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20.

Shardiya Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine forms, which is all together known as Navdurga. A lot of people observe fasts, perform daily prayers and visit temples during the nine-day festival.

According to the panchang followed for these dates, Ghatasthapana will be observed on October 11, which is the beginning of Navratri. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami will both fall on October 19, which is why the nine-day Navratri period concludes on that date.

Shardiya Navratri 2026 Dates

Shardiya Navratri will begin with Pratipada on October 11. The nine-day festival will continue through October 19, followed by Vijayadashami on October 20.

The dates are:

October 11, Sunday: Day 1Maa Shailputri
October 12, Monday: Day 2, Maa Brahmacharini
October 13, Tuesday: Day 3 - Maa Chandraghanta
October 14, Wednesday: Day 4 - Maa Kushmanda
October 15, Thursday: Day 5 - Maa Skandamata
October 16, Friday: Day 6 - Maa Katyayani
October 17, Saturday: Day 7 - Maa Kalaratri
October 18, Sunday: Day 8 - Maa Mahagauri
October 19, Monday: Day 9 - Maa Siddhidatri
October 20, Tuesday: Vijayadashami/Dussehra

Ghatasthapana Muhurat 2026

Ghatasthapana is performed at the beginning of Navratri and marks the ceremonial establishment of the kalash. It is considered an important ritual as devotees begin their Navratri prayers with the invocation of Goddess Durga.
For New Delhi, the Ghatasthapana Muhurat on October 11 is from 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM. The Abhijit Muhurat is from 11:44 AM to 12:31 PM.

However, puja timings can vary depending on the location and local sunrise and sunset calculations. Therefore, devotees in Bengaluru and other cities should follow the timings given by their local panchang.

When Is Dussehra 2026?

Vijayadashami, commonly known as Dussehra, will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20th
The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and comes immediately after the nine-day Navratri period. In several parts of India, Dussehra is associated with Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, while devotees also worship Maa Durga during Vijayadashami.