About Sharad Navratri
Sharad Navratri, the most widely celebrated of the Navratris, begins on Ashvina Shukla Pratipada and continues for nine nights, leading into Vijayadashami on the tenth day. It honours the Divine Mother in her many forms and commemorates, according to the Devi Mahatmya, the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura after a long battle.
Across India, the festival takes beautiful regional forms. Gujarat comes alive with Garba and Dandiya Raas around a decorated garbo. In West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Tripura, Durga Puja is celebrated from Shashthi to Dashami with artistic pandals, dhunuchi dance and community feasts. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh set up Golu or Bommai Kolu displays of dolls, Telangana celebrates Bathukamma with flower arrangements, and Mysuru holds its famous Dasara. In North India, Ramlila performances recreate the Ramayana each evening. Many households perform Ghatasthapana, worship one form of the Navadurga each day, read the Durga Saptashati and keep fasts suited to their health and custom.
How it is observed
- Performing Ghatasthapana and lighting an akhand jyoti
- Worshipping one form of the Navadurga on each day
- Keeping a full or partial fast with sattvic food
- Joining Garba, Dandiya, Durga Puja pandals or Golu visits
- Watching or taking part in local Ramlila performances
Sharad Navratri dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Thursday, 3 October 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Monday, 22 September 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Sunday, 11 October 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Thursday, 30 September 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 19 September 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Monday, 8 October 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Saturday, 28 September 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Gujarat
Navratri
Every night people dance garba and dandiya raas around the goddess, in neighbourhood squares and large venues alike.
West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura
Durga Puja
The last days of Navratri are celebrated as Durga Puja, with pandals, Durga idols and cultural programmes.
Date: Wednesday, 6 October 2027
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Golu, Bommai Kolu
Homes arrange dolls on steps, women visit each other with songs and receive gifts, and sundal is offered each evening.
Telangana
Bathukamma
Women make tall flower stacks and sing around them for nine days, starting on Mahalaya Amavasya, a day before Navratri, and ending on Durgashtami.
Date: Thursday, 7 October 2027
Karnataka (Mysuru)
Mysuru Dasara
The palace is lit every evening and the festival ends with the Jamboo Savari elephant procession on Vijayadashami.
Date: Saturday, 9 October 2027
North India
Navratri
Devotees fast for nine days, Ramlila is staged in many towns, and kanya puja is done on Ashtami or Navami.
People with health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly are advised to check with a doctor before fasting; a simple phalahar or one-meal fast is a gentle alternative.
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