About Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and continues for nine nights, ending on Navami, which is also celebrated as Ram Navami. Because it falls in spring, it is sometimes called Vasant Navratri. The first day also marks the start of the Hindu lunar new year in many traditions, including the Vikram Samvat, which gives the festival a sense of fresh beginnings.
Each day is dedicated to one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as the Navadurga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. On the first day many households perform Ghatasthapana, establishing a sacred kalash and sowing barley seeds that sprout over the nine days. Devotees read the Durga Saptashati, light an akhand jyoti and keep fasts of varying strictness. On Ashtami or Navami, young girls are honoured as forms of the Goddess in Kanya Pujan. The festival is especially prominent in North India, and Vaishno Devi and other Shakti shrines draw large numbers of pilgrims.
How it is observed
- Performing Ghatasthapana and sowing barley on the first day
- Worshipping a different form of the Goddess on each of the nine days
- Keeping a full or partial fast with fruit, milk and sattvic food
- Reading the Durga Saptashati or singing devotional bhajans
- Honouring young girls through Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami
Chaitra Navratri dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tuesday, 9 April 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Sunday, 30 March 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Thursday, 19 March 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Wednesday, 7 April 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Monday, 27 March 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Saturday, 14 April 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Wednesday, 3 April 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Delhi Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Punjab Chandigarh Uttarakhand Madhya Pradesh Bihar Gujarat Maharashtra
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi
Chaitra Navratri
Devotees sow barley in the kalash, fast for nine days and worship the nine forms of Durga, ending with kanya puja and Ram Navami.
Date: Thursday, 15 April 2027
Maharashtra, Goa
Gudi Padwa
The first day of Navratri is the Marathi and Konkani New Year, when a gudi (a decorated pole with a cloth and kalash) is raised at every home.
Date: Wednesday, 7 April 2027
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Ugadi
The same first day is Ugadi, the New Year, welcomed with a dish of six tastes and the reading of the year's Panchanga.
Date: Wednesday, 7 April 2027
Sindhi communities
Cheti Chand
Sindhis celebrate the birth of Jhulelal as their New Year on Chaitra Shukla Dwitiya, with processions to rivers and the sea.
Date: Thursday, 8 April 2027
Kashmir
Navreh
Kashmiri Pandits begin the New Year by looking at a thali of rice, walnuts, flowers and the new Panchang first thing in the morning.
Date: Wednesday, 7 April 2027
West Bengal
Basanti Puja
Some Bengali families and old temples worship Durga in spring as Basanti Puja, believed to be the original timing of her worship.
People with health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly are advised to check with a doctor before fasting; many families choose a simple one-meal or phalahar fast instead.
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