In 2026, Sharad Navratri began on October 11 and continues through October 19. Navratri is not tied to the same Gregorian calendar date every year. The Hindu festival follows the lunar calendar, which uses the Moon’s position to mark important religious days.
The festival began on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first lunar day of the waxing Moon in the Hindu month of Ashwin. If you have ever wondered why Navratri starts on a particular day, understanding the tithi can help you see how the Hindu calendar sets festival dates. A tithi is a lunar day in the Hindu calendar. Shukla Paksha marks the waxing Moon, when the illuminated portion grows, while Krishna Paksha marks the waning Moon. Each tithi can begin or end at different times of the day. That is why a Hindu festival may not fall on the same Gregorian date every year. The tithi marks the beginning of the waxing lunar phase associated with the first day of Navratri. Devotees begin their nine-day observance with prayers and, in many homes, Ghatasthapana, also called Kalash Sthapana. This ritual marks the start of the festival’s worship. For many devotees, the first day offers an opportunity to set an intention for the days ahead, reflect on their spiritual practice and make time for prayer. The Hindu lunisolar calendar considers both lunar cycles and the solar year. This helps religious calendars keep lunar months aligned with the seasons. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows fixed month lengths, the Hindu calendar uses tithis to determine many festival dates. If you follow Hindu festivals from the United States, remember that local time zones can affect the timing of a tithi and the recommended puja window. You can use the festival calendar to plan prayers, fasting and family celebrations. However, local traditions may follow different customs, and the exact timings for rituals can vary by location. The festival follows a traditional calendar based on lunar phases, not a fixed date on the modern calendar. He explains that Navratri invites you to recognise the mystery of life rather than trying to understand everything through logic. What makes these nine nights spiritually powerful? The tradition connects these qualities with Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, respectively.
It depends on the angular distance between the Sun and the Moon, rather than a fixed 24-hour period. A lunar month has 30 tithis, divided into two phases. Also Read Sadhguru on Navratri 2026: The nine nights are a time to reflect, not just celebrate Sharad Navratri 2026 began on Sunday, October 11, with Ashwin Shukla Pratipada. Pratipada began at 9:19 pm IST on October 10 and ended at 9:30 pm IST on October 11, 2026, according to Drik Panchang. If you love in the US states, the Pratipada tithi begins at approximately 11:49 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, and ends at noon on Sunday, October 11. Also Read Navratri 2026 in the US: Start and end dates, tithis and Ghatasthapana timings According to Hindu tradition, Ashwin Shukla Pratipada marks the beginning of Sharad Navratri, a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Sharad Navratri runs from October 11 through October 19 in 2026, followed by Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, on October 20. Also Read Navratri Day 4 2026 Muhurats: Know the US timings with puja muhurats Understanding the lunar calendar helps you see why Navratri begins when it does. In a recent article published by Isha Foundation on September 25, Sadhguru describes the festival as a celebration of the Divine Feminine.
Because lunar days do not always match civil days, the same festival can move across Gregorian dates from year to year.
Also Read Sadhguru says October Navratri is the most significant one. The nine nights also represent three basic qualities of existence: tamas, rajas and sattva, according to Sadhguru.
