Navratri 2026 Garba & Dandiya — Dates, Colours, Puja & Celebration Guide

🕌 Navratri 2026 — All 9 Days

What is Navratri?

Navratri means nine nights — nava (nine) and ratri (night). Shardiya Navratri, beginning September 22, is the most celebrated of the four annual Navratris. It marks nine nights of worship of the divine feminine — Goddess Durga in her nine forms (Navadurga) — culminating in Dussehra on October 1.

In Gujarat, Navratri is the festival of Garba and Dandiya Raas — the entire state dances through nine nights. In West Bengal it is Durga Puja. In North India it is Ram Leela. In Karnataka it is Kolu — the display of dolls representing the cosmos.

Garba & Dandiya Raas — The Dance of Devotion

Garba is a circular devotional dance performed around a clay pot (Garbo) containing a lamp — representing the Goddess and the womb of creation. The circular movement symbolises the cycle of time. Dandiya Raas is performed with colourful sticks representing the sword of Goddess Durga.

What to wear for Garba: Traditional chaniya choli for women, kediyu-dhoti or kurta-pyjama for men. Wear the colour of the day. Avoid black — traditionally not worn during Navratri.

Home Puja Setup

Kalash: Place a copper pot with water, mango leaves, and a coconut on your altar. This is the primary vessel of the Goddess.

Akhand Jyot: A continuously burning lamp for all nine days is deeply auspicious. Use ghee or sesame oil.

Kanya Puja: On Ashtami (29 Sep) or Navami (30 Sep), invite nine young girls aged 2-10. Wash their feet, offer puri-chana-halwa, and give a small gift.

Fasting Guide

Permitted foods: Sabudana khichdi, kuttu ki puri, rajgira roti, makhana, fruit, milk, nuts. Use sendha namak (rock salt) only.

Avoid: Non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion, garlic, regular salt throughout Navratri.

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