Celebrate Navratri 2026 with complete puja guide, daily rituals, Navdurga worship, fasting rules, Ghatasthapana muhurat, and Kanya Puja

New Delhi: Chaitra Navratri 2026 began on Thursday, 19 March, and will continue until Friday, 27 March (Ram Navami). This festival also marks the Hindu New Year in many parts of India, including Delhi. Families perform Ghatasthapana at the right muhurat and worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navdurga) over nine days and nights.

The nine forms are different manifestations of Goddess Parvati, as described in the Puranas. They represent the journey of Shakti—from strength and purity to the giver of divine powers (siddhis). Navratri celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura after a battle that lasted nine days and nights, as mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya (from the Markandeya Purana).

Below is a complete and accurate guide with all traditional details: dates, goddesses, colours, bhog, mantras, Ghatasthapana steps, daily puja method, fasting rules, Sandhi Puja timing, and Kanya Puja process—just as followed in homes across Delhi and North India.

The Complete 9-Day Navratri 2026 Guide

Ghatasthapana (Day 1 – Must Be Done Today, 19 March)

Muhurat for Delhi: 6:52 AM to 7:43 AM
(If missed: Abhijit Muhurat 12:05 PM–12:53 PM)

Items required:

• Wide clay pot
• Clean soil
• Sapta Dhanya (7 types of seeds)
• Small clay or brass Kalash
• Ganga jal or clean water
• Moli (sacred thread)
• Supari, coins, akshat (rice), perfume
• 5 mango or Ashoka leaves
• Coconut wrapped in red cloth
• Flowers, marigold garland, durva grass

Step-by-step method:

1. Fill the clay pot with layers of soil and seeds (soil + seeds + soil + seeds + final soil layer). Add a little water.
2. Tie moli on the Kalash, fill it with water, and add supari, perfume, durva, rice, and coins. Place 5 leaves on the top.
3. Wrap the coconut in red cloth, tie moli, and place it on the Kalash lid.
4. Place the Kalash in the center of the pot.
5. Invoke Goddess Durga into the Kalash and pray for her presence for nine days.
6. Perform Panchopachara puja: offer diya, dhoop, flowers, perfume, and prasad.

Keep an akhand ghee diya (continuous lamp) burning near the Kalash for all nine days. Do not disturb the setup.

Daily Puja Routine (Follow Every Day)

• Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes (preferably the day’s colour).
• Light the akhand diya.
• Offer flowers, water, incense, diya, and bhog to the Goddess.
• Perform aarti.
• Chant the day’s mantra 108 times.
• Read Durga Chalisa or Durga Saptashati if possible.

Fasting Rules (Commonly Followed in Delhi)

Allowed foods:

Fruits, milk, sabudana, kuttu atta, singhada flour, samak rice, potatoes, sendha namak, nuts, ghee, sugar.

Avoid completely:

Wheat, rice, onion, garlic, non-vegetarian food, and regular salt.
Many people observe fruit-only or milk-only fasts.

Day-Wise Worship (19–27 March 2026)

Day 1 – 19 March (Pratipada)

Goddess: Maa Shailaputri
Colour: Yellow
Bhog: Desi ghee or milk sweets
Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah

Day 2 – 20 March (Dwitiya)

Goddess: Maa Brahmacharini
Colour: Green
Bhog: Sugar, jaggery, or panchamrit
Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah

Day 3 – 21 March (Tritiya)

Goddess: Maa Chandraghanta
Colour: Grey
Bhog: Milk or kheer
Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah

Day 4 – 22 March (Chaturthi)

Goddess: Maa Kushmanda
Colour: Orange
Bhog: Malpua
Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah

Day 5 – 23 March (Panchami)

Goddess: Maa Skandamata
Colour: White
Bhog: Banana or milk sweets
Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah

Day 6 – 24 March (Shashthi)

Goddess: Maa Katyayani
Colour: Red
Bhog: Honey
Mantra: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah

Day 7 – 25 March (Saptami)

Goddess: Maa Kalaratri
Colour: Royal Blue
Bhog: Jaggery
Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah

Day 8 – 26 March (Ashtami)

Goddess: Maa Mahagauri
Colour: Pink
Bhog: Coconut

Special:
Sandhi Puja Timing: 11:24 AM – 12:12 PM
This is the most powerful time. Perform special aarti or havan.

Day 9 – 27 March (Navami / Ram Navami)

Goddess: Maa Siddhidatri
Colour: Purple
Bhog: Halwa, puri, chana

Special: Kanya Puja

• Invite 9 (or 2/7) young girls below age 10.
• Wash their feet, apply tilak.
• Offer food (halwa, puri, chana) and gifts.
• Touch their feet and take blessings.

This ritual represents all nine forms of Durga.

How to Conclude Navratri

On 27 March evening:

• Perform final aarti after Kanya Puja.
• Sprinkle Kalash water in the house (considered sacred).
• Immerse or place the barley sprouts under a peepal tree.
• Break the coconut and distribute it as prasad.

This is how Navratri has been traditionally celebrated for generations in Delhi homes—with proper timing, rituals, and devotion. By following these steps, you continue a tradition that comes directly from ancient scriptures.

Jai Mata Di! May these nine days bring peace, strength, and blessings to your home.