శరన్నవరాత్రి
Sharad Navaratri 2026 — Complete Puja Vidhanam
📋 Festival at a glance
- Festival day
- Sunday 11 – Monday 19 October 2026 (9 days) · Vijayadashami 20 October
- Tithi
- Ashwin Shukla Pratipada (Day 1) to Ashwin Shukla Navami (Day 9) · Vijayadashami on Dashami
- Muhurtam
- Ghatasthapana (Day 1): Abhijit muhurta ~11:30 AM – 12:15 PM IST (or during Pratipada tithi in the morning). Daily puja: morning or evening per family tradition.
- Deity
- Nava Durga (9 forms of Devi) · Sri Mahalakshmi · Sri Saraswati
- Tradition
- Universal — Shakta primary, but Smartha, Vaishnava, and Shaiva homes all observe
- Duration
- 9 days · varying daily commitment (30 min minimum to elaborate 3-hour daily puja)
Why observe Sharad Navaratri?
Sharad Navaratri celebrates the Divine Feminine — the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, culminating in Vijayadashami. Nine days of Devi worship purify body, mind, spirit. Andhra + Karnataka tradition: 3 days Durga + 3 days Lakshmi + 3 days Saraswati (total balance of Shakti-Sri-Vidya). Per Devi Mahatmyam, sincere Navaratri observance grants protection from all evils, prosperity, and jnana (spiritual wisdom).
📖 Devi Mahatmyam · Durga vs Mahishasura
🕉 Samagri (Items Needed)
Kalasha + Ghatasthapana
- Copper/silver kalasha
- Coconut with tuft
- Mango leaves (5)
- Grain bed (sowing seeds for germination during 9 days)
- Turmeric-coated cloth
- Betel + areca nut inside
Devi idols/pictures
- Nava Durga image or set of 9 Devi forms
- Andhra tradition: Golu — arrangement of dolls/idols on odd-tier steps (3-5-7-9-11 tiers)
- Central deity: Durga on Day 1-3, Lakshmi Day 4-6, Saraswati Day 7-9
- Books, musical instruments, weapons (for Ayudha Puja Day 9)
Daily offerings
- 9 varieties of flowers (one type per day preferred)
- Sindoor + haldi + kumkum + chandan
- 9 varieties of naivedya (one per day)
- Fresh fruits daily
- Panchamrita
Kanya Puja (Day 8 or 9)
- 9 young girls (below 10, pre-menarche) — kanyas
- 1 young boy (representing Batuk Bhairav)
- Gifts for each: new clothes/dress, sweets, small money, bangles
- Halwa + puri + chana (traditional prasad)
Ayudha Puja (Day 9)
- All tools/instruments of your profession (laptop, kitchen items, vehicle, books, musical instruments)
- Flowers + kumkum to decorate each
- Sandal paste for tilaka
Other
- Diyas (lit throughout 9 days if possible)
- Camphor + agarbathi
- Red/yellow cloth
- Rangoli materials for daily muggu at doorway
✓ Preparation
- ✿ Before Pratipada: shopping for all samagri, cleaning house thoroughly
- ✿ Day before: set up Golu steps (Andhra tradition) with dolls representing gods, goddesses, sages, historical figures. Odd number of tiers.
- ✿ Day 1 morning: bathe, wear new/clean clothes, perform Ghatasthapana + sow seeds in earthen pot (nava-dhanya — 9 grains)
- ✿ Fasting: partial (fruits + milk + one meal) traditional; some observe full 9-day fast
- ✿ No haircut / nail cutting during 9 days (traditional)
- ✿ Daily kanya bhojan (feeding young girls) increases the merit
🎯 Step-by-Step Vidhanam
Sanskrit mantras · Telugu transliteration · English meaning · Markandeya Purana · Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi Path · Durga Saptashati) · Devi Bhagavata Purana · Skanda Purana · Kalika Purana · Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Navaratri paddhati · Sri Vasavi Panchangam (2026 dates)
Day 1 · Ghatasthapana + Kalasha Puja
ఘటస్థాపన — కలశ స్థాపన చేసి, నవదేవి ఆవాహన. నవధాన్యాలు ఒక కుండలో నాటండి (9 రోజుల్లో మొలకెత్తుతాయి).
ॐ नवदुर्गायै नमः · कलशस्थापनं करिष्ये · नवधान्य बीजारोपणं करिष्ये
Om Navadurgayai Namah · Kalasha sthapanam karishye · Navadhanya bijaropanam karishye
Day 1 essence: install kalasha as Devi's seat, plant 9 grains (wheat, rice, tur, moong, chana, sesame, urad, horse gram, black dal) in an earthen pot. Grains sprout by Day 9 — Devi's blessing visible.
Day 1-3 · Durga Puja (Warrior aspect)
మొదటి 3 రోజులు — దుర్గా అమ్మవారి పూజ (శైలపుత్రి, బ్రహ్మచారిణి, చంద్రఘంటా రూపాలు).
ॐ शैलपुत्र्यै नमः · ॐ ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः · ॐ चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः · या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दुर्गारूपेण संस्थिता · नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः
Om Shailaputryai Namah · Om Brahmacharinyai Namah · Om Chandraghantayai Namah · Ya devi sarvabhuteshu Durgarupena samsthita · namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah
Days 1-3 dedicated to Durga in her warrior forms: Shailaputri (Day 1, Mountain-daughter), Brahmacharini (Day 2, ascetic), Chandraghanta (Day 3, moon-belled). Chant: "That Devi who resides in all beings as Durga — salutations, salutations, salutations to Her, again and again."
Day 4-6 · Lakshmi Puja (Wealth aspect)
4-6 రోజులు — లక్ష్మీ అమ్మవారి పూజ (కూష్మాండా, స్కంద మాతా, కాత్యాయని రూపాలు; ధన లక్ష్మీ కేంద్రం).
ॐ कूष्माण्डायै नमः · ॐ स्कन्दमात्रे नमः · ॐ कात्यायन्यै नमः · या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मीरूपेण संस्थिता · नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः
Om Kushmandayai Namah · Om Skandamatre Namah · Om Katyayanyai Namah · Ya devi sarvabhuteshu Lakshmirupena samsthita · namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah
Days 4-6 emphasize Lakshmi worship in Kushmanda (creator), Skandamata (mother of Skanda/Kartikeya), Katyayani (fierce warrior Devi) forms. Recite Sri Suktam. Prosperity + abundance focus. Offer lotus + yellow-white flowers.
Day 7-9 · Saraswati Puja (Wisdom aspect)
7-9 రోజులు — సరస్వతీ అమ్మవారి పూజ (కాళరాత్రి, మహాగౌరీ, సిద్ధిదాత్రి రూపాలు; జ్ఞాన కేంద్రం).
ॐ कालरात्र्यै नमः · ॐ महागौर्यै नमः · ॐ सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः · या देवी सर्वभूतेषु सरस्वतीरूपेण संस्थिता · नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः
Om Kalaratryai Namah · Om Mahagauryai Namah · Om Siddhidatryai Namah · Ya devi sarvabhuteshu Saraswati-rupena samsthita...
Days 7-9 dedicated to Saraswati in Kalaratri (night of destruction/renewal), Mahagauri (great fair-one), Siddhidatri (bestower of siddhis) forms. Students place their books, musical instruments in front of Devi.
Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi Path) Recitation
దుర్గా సప్తశతి (దేవి మహాత్మ్యం) పఠనం — 700 శ్లోకాలు, 13 అధ్యాయాలు. మార్కండేయ పురాణం నుండి. రోజుకు ఒక అధ్యాయం లేదా పూర్తి పారాయణం.
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे · श्री दुर्गा सप्तशती · मार्कण्डेय पुराणे
Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vichche · Sri Durga Saptashati · Markandeya Purane
The Devi Mahatmyam ("Chandi Path" or "Durga Saptashati") is 700 verses in 13 chapters from Markandeya Purana — the supreme scripture of Devi worship. Traditional 9-day parayanam: 1-2 chapters per day. Or full sampoorna parayanam on any single day.
Daily Aarti + Naivedya
ప్రతిరోజు కర్పూర హారతి, నైవేద్యం (వేర్వేరు రుచులు 9 రోజులకు).
जय जय जय जगदम्बे · जय जय जय दुर्गे · जय जय जय भुवनेश्वरि · जय जय जय शक्ते
Jaya jaya jaya Jagadambe · Jaya jaya jaya Durge · Jaya jaya jaya Bhuvaneshvari · Jaya jaya jaya Shakte
Daily aarti: "Victory to the Universal Mother, to Durga, to the Empress of Worlds, to Shakti." Daily naivedya varies: kheer, halwa, coconut sweet, chana, puri, jaggery-rice, tamarind-rice, dosa, payasam.
Day 8 / 9 · Kanya Puja + Bhojan (Girl Feeding)
కన్యా పూజ — 9 మంది చిన్న అమ్మాయిలను (ఏజ్ 10కి కింద) దేవి రూపాలుగా భావించి పూజించండి. వారి కాళ్ళు కడిగి, తిలకం, భోజనం (హల్వా-పూరి-చనా-పాయసం), కొత్త బట్టలు, డబ్బు సమర్పించండి.
ॐ कन्यां पूजयेत् दुर्गारूपेण · कुमारीं जगदम्बा · अष्ट कन्या + एक बटुक भैरव · भोजनं वस्त्रं दक्षिणा समर्पयामि
Om kanyam pujayet Durga-rupena · Kumarim Jagadamba · Ashta kanya + eka Batuk Bhairava · Bhojanam vastram dakshinam samarpayami
On Ashtami (Day 8) or Navami (Day 9): invite 9 pre-menarche girls (kanyas) + 1 young boy (Batuk Bhairav). Wash their feet, apply tilaka, feed them halwa-puri-chana + payasam, gift them new clothes/dress + small money. Each kanya is worshipped as Devi herself. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of Navaratri.
Day 9 · Ayudha Puja (Tools/Instruments Worship)
ఆయుధ పూజ — వృత్తికి సంబంధించిన అన్ని ఉపకరణాలను (వాహనం, పుస్తకాలు, ల్యాప్టాప్, వంటగది సామాను, సంగీత వాద్యాలు, పరికరాలు) పూజించండి. కుంకుమ, పసుపు, పుష్పంతో అలంకరించండి.
ॐ श्री सरस्वत्यै नमः · ॐ यन्त्र-वाहन-ग्रन्थेभ्यो नमः · श्री कार्यसिद्धि प्रदायकाय नमः
Om Sri Saraswatyai Namah · Om Yantra-vahana-granthebhyo Namah · Sri Karyasiddhi pradayakaya Namah
Day 9 Ayudha Puja: worship the tools of your work as embodiments of Saraswati (source of skill + wisdom). Students: books, pens. Musicians: instruments. Drivers: vehicles. Cooks: kitchen. Programmers: laptops. Apply kumkum + turmeric + flower to each. Symbol: our skills are Devi's gift.
Day 10 · Vijayadashami (Victory Celebration)
10వ రోజు విజయదశమి — దేవి విజయం సెలబ్రేషన్. కొత్త పనులు ప్రారంభించడానికి అత్యంత శుభ దినం. కుంకుమ ధారణ, పరస్పర శుభాకాంక్షలు.
ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी · दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते
Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini · Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Svaha Svadha Namo'stu te
Vijayadashami — the day Durga slew Mahishasura. Most auspicious day of the year for new beginnings: starting learning (Vidyarambham for children), signing contracts, buying gold/vehicles, starting new business. Chant the 9 names of Devi mantram. Distribute sweets, meet elders, seek blessings.
🍯 Naivedya (Food Offering)
Main: 9-day rotation of naivedya (one per day traditionally): Day 1 kheer / Day 2 sugar cane / Day 3 milk sweets / Day 4 sweet pongal / Day 5 boondi / Day 6 halwa / Day 7 til-jaggery / Day 8 puri-chana-halwa (Kanya Puja specific) / Day 9 gulgula / Day 10 (Vijayadashami) mixed sweets. Regional variations abundant.
Others: Panchamrita daily · Fresh fruits (9 varieties over 9 days) · Payasam variations · Coconut daily · Sundal (steamed chickpeas — South Indian Navaratri classic) · Vada / murukku (savoury balance) · For Kanya Puja Day 8/9: MANDATORY halwa + puri + chana
📿 Regional & Sampradaya Variations
Andhra Pradesh: Bathukamma (flower stack) festival simultaneous with Navaratri; Golu setup; Bommala koluvu. Tamil Nadu: Golu tradition central; Saraswati Puja + Ayudha Puja most prominent. Karnataka: Mysore Dasara — royal Navaratri procession. Gujarat: Garba + Dandiya dance festival. West Bengal: 4-day Durga Puja (Shashti-Dashami) with elaborate pandals; Devi immersion in river on Dashami. North India: Ram Lila performances culminating in Ravana effigy burning on Dashami. Sringeri tradition: 9-day sampoorna Devi Mahatmyam parayanam is the essence.
❓ FAQ
▸ Is 9-day observance mandatory or can I do just Kanya Puja?
Kanya Puja alone (Day 8 or 9) is a complete puja per Devi Mahatmyam. Full 9-day observance is meritorious but not mandatory. Even lighting a daily lamp + Sri Suktam / Devi mantra recitation counts.
▸ What are the "9 forms" of Devi worshipped over 9 days?
Shailaputri (Day 1) · Brahmacharini (Day 2) · Chandraghanta (Day 3) · Kushmanda (Day 4) · Skandamata (Day 5) · Katyayani (Day 6) · Kalaratri (Day 7) · Mahagauri (Day 8) · Siddhidatri (Day 9). Together: Nava Durga.
▸ What is Golu and is it mandatory?
Golu is the Andhra + Tamil Nadu tradition of arranging dolls/figurines on odd-tier steps (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 steps) depicting gods, goddesses, sages, historical scenes. NOT mandatory but widely observed. Women visit each other's Golus during Navaratri.
▸ When exactly is Kanya Puja performed?
Ashtami (Day 8 — Durga-Ashtami) or Navami (Day 9). Both are auspicious. Regional preference: North India often Ashtami; South India often Navami. Some families do both days.
▸ How many girls should I invite for Kanya Puja?
Traditional: 9 girls (representing 9 Devi forms) + 1 young boy (Batuk Bhairav — Shiva's attendant). Minimum: 5 girls. Some families do 2 or 3 if 9 unavailable. Age preference: pre-menarche (below 10 years).
▸ Do I need to fast for all 9 days?
Full 9-day fast is traditional for the strictly observant. Modern practical: partial fast (fruits + milk + one meal daily). Health-first: modify per body. Devi Mahatmyam recitation matters more than food restriction.
▸ Can I start a new business/venture on Vijayadashami?
YES — Vijayadashami is considered THE most auspicious day of the year for new beginnings. Muhurtam is universally valid without needing further verification. Children's Vidyarambham (initiation to letters), new job start, business launch, vehicle purchase all traditionally done on Vijayadashami.
▸ What is Saraswati Puja on Ayudha Puja day?
Ayudha Puja on Day 9 combines Saraswati worship (invoking her as the source of all skills) with the worship of your professional tools. Books, instruments, laptops, vehicles all get puja. Traditional: don't use these tools for one full day (they are "on retreat" being worshipped).
Disclaimer: This guide is for personal home festival observance. For temple-scale rituals or first-time performance of complex ceremonies, consult a qualified Vedic pandit familiar with your family sampradaya. Regional and family customs vary widely; adapt as per your parampara.