The Sharad Navratri in 2026 is almost ending, with Maha Navami falling on Monday, October 19, and Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, on Tuesday, October 20, in the US calendars published by Drik Panchang. If you are celebrating Navratri in Washington, DC, California or New Jersey, check your local tithi timings before planning your prayers and rituals.
Maha Navami marks the ninth day of Navratri and honours Goddess Durga. Many devotees observe the day with prayers, offerings and Navami Homa. The festival concludes with Vijayadashami, which celebrates the victory of good over evil in Hindu tradition. Some people refer to Maha Navami as the last day of the nine-day Navratri observance, while others consider Vijayadashami the festival’s concluding day. Your family or temple tradition may follow a specific calendar for the final rituals. The local calendar follows Eastern Daylight Time.
Also Read Navratri 2026 in the US: Start and end dates, tithis and Ghatasthapana timings According to Drik Panchang, Maha Navami falls on October 19, 2026, in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, California, and Jersey City, New Jersey. Vijayadashami follows on October 20. These are the exact date and timings for the US states below: For Los Angeles, Drik Panchang lists: For Jersey City, New Jersey, Drik Panchang lists Maha Navami on Monday, October 19, and Vijayadashami on Tuesday, October 20, according to Drik Panchang.
Before choosing a time for worship, check your local temple’s schedule or a city-specific Hindu almanac. Follow your family tradition if it uses a particular rule for Navami puja or fasting.
The Navami tithi is expected to begin at approximately 1:21 a.m. on October 19 and end at 3:20 a.m. on October 20. Also Read Sharad Navratri 2026: When does it start and end, and what does it mean in astrology? It lists Navami as one of the important rituals performed on Maha Navami.
Navami rituals can depend on how the tithi overlaps with the local day and on the specific observance, according to Drik Panchang.
