Navratri is a 9-night Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her 9 forms. Celebrated twice a year (Chaitra and Sharada), the Sharada Navratri in autumn is the most widely observed.
All dates calculated using Swiss Ephemeris DE441. The नवरात्र date is determined by the Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (9 nights).
| Year | Date | Day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 October 2005 | Tuesday | |
| 2006 | 23 September 2006 | Saturday | |
| 2007 | 12 October 2007 | Friday | |
| 2008 | 30 September 2008 | Tuesday | |
| 2009 | 19 September 2009 | Saturday | |
| 2010 | 8 October 2010 | Friday | |
| 2011 | 28 September 2011 | Wednesday | |
| 2012 | 16 October 2012 | Tuesday | |
| 2013 | 5 October 2013 | Saturday | |
| 2014 | 25 September 2014 | Thursday | |
| 2015 | 13 October 2015 | Tuesday | |
| 2016 | 1 October 2016 | Saturday | |
| 2017 | 21 September 2017 | Thursday | |
| 2018 | 10 October 2018 | Wednesday | |
| 2019 | 29 September 2019 | Sunday | |
| 2020 | 17 October 2020 | Saturday | |
| 2021 | 7 October 2021 | Thursday | |
| 2022 | 26 September 2022 | Monday | |
| 2023 | 15 October 2023 | Sunday | |
| 2024 | 3 October 2024 | Thursday | |
| 2025 | 22 September 2025 | Monday | |
| 2026 | 11 October 2026 | Sunday | 140d away |
| 2027 | 1 October 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | 19 September 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | 8 October 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | 28 September 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | 17 October 2031 | Friday | |
| 2032 | 5 October 2032 | Tuesday | |
| 2033 | 24 September 2033 | Saturday | |
| 2034 | 13 October 2034 | Friday | |
| 2035 | 2 October 2035 | Tuesday | |
| 2036 | 20 October 2036 | Monday | |
| 2037 | 9 October 2037 | Friday | |
| 2038 | 28 September 2038 | Tuesday | |
| 2039 | 17 October 2039 | Monday | |
| 2040 | 6 October 2040 | Saturday | |
| 2041 | 25 September 2041 | Wednesday | |
| 2042 | 14 October 2042 | Tuesday | |
| 2043 | 3 October 2043 | Saturday | |
| 2044 | 22 September 2044 | Wednesday | |
| 2045 | 11 October 2045 | Thursday |
<iframe src="https://www.hinduplace.com/festival/navratri-dates-widget/" width="100%" height="600"></iframe>
Navratri literally means 'nine nights' (Nav = nine, Ratri = nights). The festival celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, a battle that lasted nine nights and days. The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) describes this cosmic battle. On the 10th day (Vijayadashami / Dussehra), the goddess emerged victorious. The story is also linked to Rama's worship of Durga before his battle with Ravana.
Navratri represents the divine feminine power (Shakti) that sustains the universe. Each of the 9 nights is dedicated to one of the 9 forms of Durga: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
**The 9 Forms (Navadurga):** Day 1: Shailputri (daughter of mountains) Day 2: Brahmacharini (practitioner of austerity) Day 3: Chandraghanta (moon-crested) Day 4: Kushmanda (cosmic egg) Day 5: Skandamata (mother of Skanda/Kartikeya) Day 6: Katyayani (daughter of sage Katya) Day 7: Kalaratri (black night) Day 8: Mahagauri (greatly white) Day 9: Siddhidatri (giver of supernatural powers) **Day 10 — Vijayadashami / Dussehra:** Celebration of the goddess's victory. Burning of Ravana effigies in North India. Exchange of Shami leaves.
**Gujarat:** Famous for Garba and Dandiya Raas — all-night folk dances. Colorful dress, elaborate rangoli. **West Bengal / Odisha:** Celebrated as Durga Puja — one of the grandest festivals. Elaborate pandals, idol procession, immersion on the 10th day. **Andhra Pradesh / Telangana:** Bathukamma (flower festival) during Navratri. Golu (doll display) tradition. **Tamil Nadu / Karnataka / Kerala:** Golu (Kolu) — arrangement of dolls and figurines on stepped platforms. Saraswati Puja on Navami. **North India:** Fasting for all 9 days. Ram Lila performances. Dussehra celebrations.
**Daily Navratri Puja:** 1. Wake early, bathe, wear fresh clothes 2. Set up Durga's image or idol 3. Light ghee diya and incense 4. Offer red flowers (preferred by Durga) 5. Recite Durga Saptashati (or selected chapters) 6. Aarti with camphor 7. If fasting: consume only allowed foods (fruits, sendha namak, kuttu, sabudana) **Kanya Puja (Ashtami or Navami):** Invite 9 young girls to represent the 9 Devis Feed them kheer, halwa, puri, chana Offer new clothes, gifts, and vermillion