Navratri is a time when homes are filled with prayer, devotion, and the presence of Maa Durga. For nine days, you may worship different forms of the Goddess, observe a fast, prepare special bhog and follow family traditions passed down through generations. Beyond the rituals, the festival also gives you a chance to slow down, bring more discipline into your routine and focus on faith and positivity.
He suggests beginning by cleaning yourself and the puja area, followed by Ghatasthapana at the appropriate muhurat. You can then offer flowers, fruits and bhog to Maa Durga, light a diya and chant mantras. He also advises you to avoid unnecessary arguments, negative thoughts, and conflict during the nine-day festival.
Chairman and founder of the Indian Institute of Vedic Science, you should approach Navratri with a clean heart, a peaceful mind and sincerity in your puja, according to Gurudev Vikrant Jain.
The exact puja muhurat may vary from one city to another. If you are observing Navratri outside Delhi, check your local Panchang before beginning the Ghatasthapana rituals. Gurudev Vikrant Jain recommends keeping your Navratri puja simple, peaceful and sincere. Before beginning the puja, clean yourself and your home and the area where you will place the Kalash. Place a clean Kalash on a small platform. Fill it with water and add the items traditionally used in your family. Place leaves and a coconut on top as part of the setup. During Ghatasthapana, many devotees sow jau, or barley, near the Kalash. The growth of the barley is considered an important part of the Navratri ritual. Light a diya and incense and take a sankalp, or spiritual resolve, for the nine days. You can pray to Maa Durga for strength, peace, happiness and well-being. Offer fresh fruits, flowers, sweets and other sattvik food to Maa Durga. You can follow the bhog practices traditionally observed in your family. End your puja with Maa Durga’s aarti. Try to maintain a regular prayer routine throughout the nine days rather than treating the festival as a one-day observance. You can keep these simple practices in mind during the festival: Along with the rituals, you may also want to avoid certain practices traditionally considered unsuitable during Navratri: Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Navratri and is an important ritual for devotees who welcome and worship Maa Durga at home. The Kalash is established through the chanting of specific prayers and rituals as part of the festival’s opening. The timing is also important. Since the Ghatasthapana muhurat can vary from one location to another, you should check the local Panchang before performing the ritual.
You can chant Maa Durga’s mantras, read the Durga Chalisa or recite other prayers according to your family tradition and personal practice.
Sharad Navratri 2026 will begin on October 11, 2026. The festival will conclude with Maha Navami on October 19, followed by Vijayadashami on October 20, 2026. For Delhi, the main Ghatasthapana Muhurat on October 11 is: Maha Ashtami will be observed on October 19, 2026. Maha Navami will also be observed around October 19–20 , depending on the local Panchang and the timing of the Tithi. Navratri will conclude with Vijayadashami on October 20, 2026.
The nine-day festival will be marked by prayers, fasting and special puja rituals dedicated to Maa Durga. Many devotees mark the day with special puja, fasting and Kanya Pujan. Both days hold special importance for devotees who worship Maa Durga and observe the final days of Navratri with additional prayers and rituals. The festival is traditionally associated with the victory of good over evil and marks an important transition after the nine days of Navratri worship. For many devotees, Vijayadashami is also a time to seek Maa Durga’s blessings and begin new work with a positive state of mind. Navratri is not only about fasting, puja and following rituals. For you, it can also be a time to bring more calm into your daily life, be mindful of your words and actions, and approach the festival with sincerity and devotion. Disclaimer: Religious practices, puja procedures and muhurats can vary across regions, Sampradayas and family traditions, so the guidance may not be the same for everyone. This article is intended for general cultural and spiritual information and should not replace guidance from a qualified religious expert or your family tradition.
