India · India · Elections hub
Navratri 2026 Dates: When Does the Festival Start and End?
In brief
Navratri 2026 begins in early October and runs for nine nights of worship, music and fasting traditions across India. Check your regional Hindu calendar for exact tithi start and end times; our festivals hub lists the countdown.
Navratri 2026 is the nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga in her many forms. Most Indian calendars place the start in early October 2026; the exact sunrise and moon-phase (tithi) can shift the first and last day by a few hours between cities, so always confirm with a trusted regional panchang.
When does Navratri 2026 start and end?
ViralScopeHub’s Navratri countdown tracks the widely published start window. Day nine is followed by Dussehra (Vijayadashami). Employers and schools sometimes publish local holidays a few weeks ahead—use those notices for leave planning.
What do people do during Navratri?
Traditions vary by region: garba and dandiya in Gujarat, fasting and temple visits in many North Indian homes, and Ayudha Puja customs in parts of the South. Families often choose one form of the goddess to honour each day.
- Confirm start/end with a regional calendar, not only a viral graphic.
- Plan travel early if you are attending city-wide garba events.
- See also Diwali 2026 and Dussehra 2026.
Last updated: 12 Oct 2026. Festival dates can differ by local tithi; re-check your city calendar.
Related on ViralScopeHub: festivals · India news · news.
Why it matters
Navratri and related festival-date queries spike every autumn. Clear dates plus official-calendar caveats match how top outlets structure festival explainers.
People also ask
When is Navratri 2026?
Most Indian calendars place Navratri 2026 in early October for nine nights; confirm the exact tithi with a regional panchang.
What comes after Navratri?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) follows the ninth night in many traditions.
Is Navratri the same date everywhere in India?
The festival window is shared, but local sunrise and tithi rules can shift the first or last day by hours.
Sources
Every ViralScopeHub news item is an original summary written in our own words. We link to the original reporting so you can read the full story from the publisher.