Sharad Navratri muhurat
Sharad Navratri 2026
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Sharad Navratri is nine days of worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, opening with Ghatasthapana. Below is the start date, the auspicious Ghatasthapana window, and the calendar through Vijayadashami.
Days around this festival
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Sharad Navratri
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
Why Navratri matters
Navratri celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. Over nine days, her nine forms are worshipped in sequence, from Shailaputri through to Siddhidatri.
Ghatasthapana happens on day one: barley seeds are sown in an earthen pot and a kalash is installed as the invocation of the goddess, staying at the puja spot for all nine days.
The ninth day is followed by Vijayadashami (Dussehra), marking both the goddess's victory over Mahishasura and Ram's victory over Ravana.
How the Ghatasthapana muhurat is fixed
Ghatasthapana is performed on Pratipada tithi, after sunrise and around Abhijit Muhurat, the day's most stable window.
This window also depends on your city's sunrise, so check the exact time for your city on the muhurat page.
Timing abroad, by time zone
Navratri 2026 in Canada: Ghatasthapana in Your Time Zone
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins October 11. How to time Ghatasthapana correctly for a Canadian city instead of converting an India-based muhurat.
Navratri 2026 in the UK: Ghatasthapana in Your Time Zone
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins October 11. How to time Ghatasthapana correctly for a UK city instead of converting an India-based muhurat.
Navratri 2026: Ghatasthapana Muhurat
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins October 11. An approximate Ghatasthapana muhurat, the nine-day calendar, and how to check the exact time for your city.
Navratri 2026 in the USA: Ghatasthapana in Your Time Zone
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins October 11. How to time Ghatasthapana correctly for a US city instead of converting an India-based muhurat.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When does Navratri 2026 begin? +
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins October 11 and runs through October 19, with Vijayadashami on October 20.
What is the auspicious Ghatasthapana muhurat? +
The Ghatasthapana window is 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM. Select your city on the muhurat page for the exact local time.
Is this different from Chaitra Navratri? +
Yes, Sharad Navratri falls in the Ashwin month and is the larger of the two, while Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the Chaitra month alongside the Hindu new year.