| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Navarātri begins (Āśvina Śukla Pratipadā) | Sunday, 11 October 2026 |
| Mahānavamī · Āyudha / Sarasvatī Pūjā | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 |
| Vijayadaśamī · Vidyārambham | Wednesday, 21 October 2026 |
What Navarātri is
Navarātri, the "nine nights", honours the Devī in her many forms. In much of South India the nights are commonly grouped in three: the first three to Durgā, the next three to Lakṣmī, and the last three to Sarasvatī. On Navamī, books, instruments and the tools of one's work are placed before the Devī. On Vijayadaśamī, many Kerala and Karnataka families begin a child's learning (Vidyārambham, Akṣarābhyāsa).
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
The checklist
For the kalaśa and the altar
The water pot that holds the Devī's presence for the nine days. Choose one with a wide mouth that seats a coconut well.
These are offered fresh, so buy them locally on the first day and replace the flowers daily.
Essential for Devī pūjā and for giving to visiting women during Navarātri. Choose natural turmeric-based kumkum.
A clean new cloth to seat the kalaśa and the Devī's image.
Use rice from your own kitchen, mixed with a little turmeric.
Light
A steady lamp for the nine nights. Many families keep an akhaṇḍa (unbroken) lamp burning.
The traditional oil for South Indian lamps.
Use pure cotton for a clean flame.
For ārati at the close of each day's pūjā.
Gōlu / Bombe
Traditional clay figures of deities, saints and village life, arranged on odd-numbered steps.
A foldable stand with 3, 5, 7 or 9 steps. Measure your wall before you buy.
Texts for the nine nights
The central Navarātri text, 700 verses from the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. Gita Press publishes an affordable edition.
The thousand names of Śrī Lalitā, widely chanted during Navarātri in South India.
Questions people ask
When does Navarātri begin in 2026?
By the tithi at sunrise in Mangaluru, it begins on Sunday 11 October 2026. Vijayadaśamī falls on Wednesday 21 October. Please confirm with your local Panchangam, as dates can differ by a day between regions.
Which items should be bought fresh?
Flowers, mango leaves, betel leaves and the coconut for the kalaśa are best bought fresh from a local market. Lamps, oil, wicks, kumkum, gōlu dolls and books can be bought ahead.
What is placed for Sarasvatī Pūjā?
Books, musical instruments, pens and the tools of one's work are placed before the Devī on Navamī. They are taken up again with prayer on Vijayadaśamī.
Personal Jyotisha readings, prepared from the classical texts.
See readings