Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October with Ghatasthapana, and the nine days of Devi worship continue through Monday, 19 October, followed by Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October. This year the Saptami, Ashtami and Navami tithis overlap, so a clear plan helps. This guide answers one question: what exactly should I do today? For every day you will find the Devi being worshipped, a simple morning puja, the mantra to chant, a suggested bhog, one ritual to remember and an evening routine. Use it as a daily checklist, adjust it to your family tradition, and open the main Shardiya Navratri 2026 dates and puja vidhi guide whenever you want deeper background.
How to Use This 9-Day Checklist
Every day follows the same simple rhythm. Only the Devi, mantra, bhog and one special ritual change.
Morning
Bathe and wear clean clothes
Clean the puja space and light a diya
Offer flowers and perform a basic puja
Chant the day's mantra
During the Day
Follow your own vrat rules if you are fasting
Keep the home clean and your conduct calm and disciplined
Evening
Light the diya again and perform aarti
Offer bhog and chant the mantra once more
Keep your items ready in advance using the Navratri puja samagri list for 2026. If time is short, the 5-minute version (diya, flowers, mantra, aarti) is a complete observance.
Shardiya Navratri 2026: Day-Wise Daily Checklist
Date note for 17 to 20 October: Saptami tithi runs across 17 and 18 October. Ashtami tithi begins around 8:27 AM on 18 October and ends around 10:51 AM on 19 October (Delhi reckoning), after which Navami begins. Most panchangs, which follow the tithi at sunrise, therefore place Mahagauri worship and Ashtami on 19 October. Some regional calendars use 18 October for Ashtami. Vijayadashami is 20 October in all calendars. Times shift by city, so confirm with your local panchang or priest.
Day 1 - Maa Shailputri
Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026 | Tithi: Pratipada | Devi: Maa Shailputri
Daily Focus: Begin the nine days with a clear sankalp and the installation of the kalash.
Morning Puja: Complete Ghatasthapana in the muhurat, then invoke Maa Shailputri with flowers and akshat. Published Delhi windows are roughly 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM, with the Abhijit window around midday, but your city's timing will differ.
Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah
Bhog: Pure desi ghee or ghee-based halwa
Simple Ritual: Sow barley (jau) near the kalash and light the Akhand Jyoti if your family observes it. The Ghatasthapana 2026 guide covers the muhurat and method in full.
Evening Puja: Perform the first aarti of the nine nights beside the kalash.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Kalash installed within muhurat
Day 2 - Maa Brahmacharini
Date: Monday, 12 October 2026 | Tithi: Dwitiya | Devi: Maa Brahmacharini
Daily Focus: Discipline, patience and steady devotion.
Morning Puja: Keep worship simple and unhurried. Invoke the Devi with white flowers if available.
Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah
Bhog: Sugar or mishri, with fresh fruit
Simple Ritual: Sprinkle a little water on the barley and check that the jyoti and kalash are undisturbed. Daily upkeep is explained in the Kalash Sthapana care guide.
Evening Puja: Aarti, followed by five quiet minutes of jaap.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Barley watered
Day 3 - Maa Chandraghanta
Date: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 | Tithi: Tritiya | Devi: Maa Chandraghanta
Daily Focus: Courage and calm, connected to her half-moon bell.
Morning Puja: Ring the puja bell gently at the start of worship, then offer flowers and chant.
Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah
Bhog: Kheer, or plain milk if cooking is not possible
Simple Ritual: Let the family join the evening aarti, since bell and shared voices are central to this day's worship.
Evening Puja: Aarti at dusk, ringing the bell again to close the jaap.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Bell rung at start and end
Day 4 - Maa Kushmanda
Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026 | Tithi: Chaturthi | Devi: Maa Kushmanda
Daily Focus: Gratitude for creation and vitality, in her traditional form as the cosmic creator.
Morning Puja: A fuller puja is common today for families that follow a 16-step method. Otherwise, offer flowers, a diya and the mantra with focus.
Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
Bhog: Malpua or any ghee-fried sweet
Simple Ritual: Prepare the bhog fresh at home and offer it before anyone tastes it.
Evening Puja: Aarti, and one chapter of Durga Saptashati if your family reads it.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Sweet prepared fresh
Day 5 - Maa Skandamata
Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026 | Tithi: Panchami | Devi: Maa Skandamata
Daily Focus: Motherly compassion, worshipped as the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya).
Morning Puja: Gather the family for a short joint prayer and offer flowers.
Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
Bhog: Bananas or seasonal fruit
Simple Ritual: Invite children to place the fruit offering and join the mantra, which suits this day's nurturing theme.
Evening Puja: Aarti, with children leading the naam mantra where possible.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Family prayer together
Day 6 - Maa Katyayani
Date: Friday, 16 October 2026 | Tithi: Shashthi | Devi: Maa Katyayani
Daily Focus: Resolve and strength. Traditionally she is worshipped in her warrior form, and in some regions unmarried women observe this day with special devotion.
Morning Puja: Renew your Navratri sankalp with a calm mind, then offer flowers and chant.
Mantra: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah
Bhog: Honey or a honey-sweetened offering
Simple Ritual: Write down or silently restate the intention of your nine-day observance, and keep it devotional rather than transactional.
Evening Puja: Aarti and a slightly longer jaap if you are following a personal anushthan.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Sankalp renewed
Day 7 - Maa Kalaratri
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026 (Saptami runs across 17 and 18 October) | Tithi: Saptami | Devi: Maa Kalaratri
Daily Focus: Protection and fearlessness. She is a fierce form of Shakti, revered with deep respect in Devi tradition.
Morning Puja: Keep worship simple and restrained. The naam mantra alone is enough for this day.
Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah
Bhog: Jaggery (gur) or gur laddoo
Simple Ritual: Light the evening diya with a calm household. Saptami night is traditionally observed with quiet, steady worship.
Evening Puja: Aarti and jaap after sunset in a peaceful setting.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Calm, quiet evening
Day 8 - Maa Mahagauri
Date: Monday, 19 October 2026 in most panchangs (some calendars: Sunday, 18 October) | Tithi: Ashtami | Devi: Maa Mahagauri
Daily Focus: Purity and peace. This is Durga Ashtami, one of the two major days of the nine.
Morning Puja: On 19 October, complete the Mahagauri puja before Navami begins (around 10:51 AM in Delhi reckoning). Offer white flowers and take the day's sankalp. Choosing between the 18th and 19th is explained in the Ashtami and Navami 2026 guide.
Mantra: Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
Bhog: Whole coconut or coconut laddoo, and halwa, puri and chana if Kanya Pujan is planned
Simple Ritual: Prepare Kanya Pujan items the night before, since the day is busy.
Evening Puja: A fuller aarti. Break your fast today only if your family's custom concludes it on Ashtami.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Kanya Pujan items ready
Day 9 - Maa Siddhidatri
Date: Monday, 19 October 2026 (Navami begins after Ashtami ends; some calculations extend it into 20 October) | Tithi: Navami | Devi: Maa Siddhidatri
Daily Focus: Completion and gratitude. Traditionally she is regarded as the giver of spiritual accomplishment.
Morning Puja: Worship Maa Siddhidatri once Navami has begun in your local panchang, and offer flowers and sesame-based sweets.
Mantra: Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah
Bhog: Sesame (til) sweets, kheer, and halwa-puri-chana for Kanya Pujan
Simple Ritual: Complete Kanya Pujan if it is still pending, and perform the concluding Havan with Purnahuti if your household does one.
Evening Puja: A thankful aarti. Many families break their fast after the concluding rituals, then follow their custom for the kalash and barley shoots by Vijayadashami on 20 October.
Daily Checklist: ☐ Clean puja area ☐ Diya ☐ Flowers ☐ Bhog ☐ Mantra ☐ Aarti ☐ Vrat discipline ☐ Concluding rituals completed
What Should You Do Every Day During Navratri?
Use this reusable list on any of the nine days.
Bathe and keep yourself clean before worship
Clean the puja space and keep it tidy through the day
Light a diya and, if your tradition uses it, incense
Offer fresh flowers and invoke that day's Devi
Chant the mantra or do jaap, even if only 11 repetitions
Offer bhog before eating it yourself
Perform aarti in the evening
Follow your chosen vrat discipline with consistency
Keep the home peaceful, with no unnecessary conflict
Consistency matters more than length. A short, sincere daily routine is more in the spirit of the festival than an elaborate one done for two days and dropped.
What to Offer as Daily Bhog
Day | Devi | Suggested Bhog | Simple Offering Idea |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shailputri | Desi ghee | A spoon of pure ghee or suji halwa |
2 | Brahmacharini | Sugar or mishri | Mishri with fruit |
3 | Chandraghanta | Kheer | Plain milk if you cannot cook |
4 | Kushmanda | Malpua | Any ghee-fried sweet |
5 | Skandamata | Banana | Seasonal fruit |
6 | Katyayani | Honey | A honey-sweetened sweet |
7 | Kalaratri | Jaggery | Gur laddoo |
8 | Mahagauri | Coconut | Nariyal laddoo, halwa-puri-chana for Kanya Pujan |
9 | Siddhidatri | Sesame (til) | Til laddoo, kheer |
Alternatives, ingredients and preparation tips are in the detailed Navratri bhog list for 2026.
Daily Mantra Guide
Day | Devi | Mantra |
|---|---|---|
1 | Shailputri | Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah |
2 | Brahmacharini | Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah |
3 | Chandraghanta | Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah |
4 | Kushmanda | Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah |
5 | Skandamata | Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah |
6 | Katyayani | Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah |
7 | Kalaratri | Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah |
8 | Mahagauri | Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah |
9 | Siddhidatri | Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah |
How to use the mantra
Morning puja: Chant after invoking the Devi and before offering bhog.
Evening puja: Chant again after aarti.
Personal jaap: Choose a count you can keep daily, such as 11, 21 or 108.
Meanings and pronunciation help are in the Navratri 2026 mantra list.
Important Rituals Through the 9 Days
Ghatasthapana (Day 1): Opens Navratri and is done in the morning muhurat on 11 October.
Daily Devi worship (Days 1 to 9): The routine in this checklist.
Akhand Jyoti (if observed): Lit on Day 1 and kept burning through the nine days.
Ashtami (Day 8): Mahagauri worship and, for many families, Kanya Pujan.
Kanya Pujan: Done on Ashtami or Navami. See the Kanya Pujan 2026 guide.
Navami (Day 9): Siddhidatri worship and the usual day for the concluding ritual.
Havan: Commonly performed on Ashtami or Navami. Read the Navratri Havan 2026 guide for method.
Completion: Prasad, gratitude and family customs for the kalash and barley shoots.
What to Avoid During Shardiya Navratri
Traditions differ, so treat these as commonly followed precautions, not universal rules.
Avoid unnecessary arguments and harsh speech during the nine days
Keep the puja space clean and undisturbed
Follow the vrat rules you have chosen consistently. The Navratri vrat rules for 2026 explain common fasting practices
Handle puja materials, the kalash and the jyoti with care
Respect personal and family traditions, even where they differ from what you read online
If you have a health condition, adjust your fast with your doctor's advice.
If You Are Doing Navratri Puja at Home
Morning: Bath, clean the space, diya, flowers, invoke the Devi
Puja: Chant the mantra, offer bhog
Day: Vrat discipline and a calm home
Evening: Diya, aarti, mantra, short prayer
Home worship is a complete and traditional way to observe Navratri. For the full step-by-step method, see the Navratri puja at home 2026 guide.
Baglamukhi Puja During Shardiya Navratri
Devotees who already worship Maa Baglamukhi sometimes choose Navratri for a dedicated puja, Havan or Anushthan, taken with a proper sankalp. The site's guide to Baglamukhi Puja during Shardiya Navratri 2026 explains how this fits alongside the nine days, and the Baglamukhi Havan during Navratri 2026 article covers the Havan in detail. The rituals themselves are described on the Maa Baglamukhi Hawan service page. This is a personal devotional option, not a requirement of Navratri, and no specific outcome is promised.
➜ Explore Baglamukhi Puja & Havan options at Nalkheda
baglamukhihawan.com/puja/maa-baglamukhi-hawan
(Gold-filled button, white bold text)
9-Day Quick Checklist
Day | Devi | Puja Focus | Mantra | Bhog | Important Ritual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (11 Oct) | Shailputri | Sankalp, beginning | Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah | Desi ghee | Ghatasthapana |
2 (12 Oct) | Brahmacharini | Discipline | Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah | Mishri | Check kalash and jyoti |
3 (13 Oct) | Chandraghanta | Courage, calm | Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah | Kheer | Ring bell at start and end |
4 (14 Oct) | Kushmanda | Gratitude, vitality | Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah | Malpua | Fresh bhog |
5 (15 Oct) | Skandamata | Compassion | Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah | Banana | Family prayer |
6 (16 Oct) | Katyayani | Resolve | Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah | Honey | Renew sankalp |
7 (17 Oct) | Kalaratri | Protection | Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah | Jaggery | Calm evening worship |
8 (19 Oct, or 18 Oct) | Mahagauri | Purity, peace | Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah | Coconut | Ashtami, Kanya Pujan |
9 (19 Oct) | Siddhidatri | Completion | Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah | Sesame (til) | Navami, Havan, Purnahuti |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do every day during Shardiya Navratri 2026?
Each day, clean the puja space, light a diya, offer flowers, invoke that day's Devi, chant her mantra, offer bhog and perform aarti in the evening. Follow your own vrat rules if you fast. The nine days run from 11 to 19 October 2026, with Vijayadashami on 20 October.
2. Which Devi is worshipped on each day of Navratri?
Day 1 Shailputri, Day 2 Brahmacharini, Day 3 Chandraghanta, Day 4 Kushmanda, Day 5 Skandamata, Day 6 Katyayani, Day 7 Kalaratri, Day 8 Mahagauri and Day 9 Siddhidatri. Together they are called Nav Durga. In 2026 the Saptami to Navami dates overlap slightly, so check the date note above.
3. What should I offer to the Devi during Navratri?
Traditional bhog by day includes desi ghee, mishri, kheer, malpua, banana, honey, jaggery, coconut and sesame sweets. Any clean, freshly prepared, sattvic food offered with devotion is acceptable in most households. Follow your family custom if it differs, and do not taste the bhog before offering it.
4. What mantra should I chant each day of Navratri?
A simple naam mantra for each Devi is enough, such as Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah on Day 1 and Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah on Day 2. Chant 11, 21 or 108 times as time allows, during morning puja, evening aarti or personal jaap.
5. Can Navratri puja be performed at home?
Yes. A clean corner, a diya, flowers, the day's mantra, bhog and aarti make a complete home observance. Ghatasthapana, daily worship and Kanya Pujan are all commonly done at home. For a full Havan, some families prefer guidance from a priest.
6. What should I do on Ashtami and Navami?
Ashtami is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri and Navami to Maa Siddhidatri. Families commonly do the day's puja, Kanya Pujan and, on Navami, a concluding Havan. In 2026 both tithis meet on 19 October in most panchangs, so plan the sequence around your local tithi timings.
7. When is Kanya Pujan during Shardiya Navratri 2026?
Kanya Pujan is done on Ashtami or Navami according to family custom. In 2026 most panchangs place both on 19 October, while some calendars use 18 October for Ashtami. Follow the day your family's panchang or priest confirms.
8. When should Navratri Havan be performed?
Navratri Havan is most commonly performed on Ashtami or Navami, and Navami is a popular day for the concluding Havan with Purnahuti. Some households also perform one on other days. Confirm the muhurat for your city with a local panchang or priest.
9. Can Baglamukhi Puja be performed during Shardiya Navratri?
Yes. Devotees who already worship Maa Baglamukhi often choose Navratri for a puja, Havan or Anushthan, taken with a proper sankalp. It is a personal devotional choice and not a requirement of Navratri. No specific outcome is promised.
10. What should be done on the final day of Navratri?
On Day 9, worship Maa Siddhidatri, offer sesame-based bhog, complete Kanya Pujan if pending, and perform the concluding Havan and Purnahuti if your household does one. Many families break their fast and follow custom for the kalash and barley shoots on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026.
Plan Baglamukhi Puja or Havan During Shardiya Navratri
If you would like to arrange a Baglamukhi Puja or Havan during Shardiya Navratri at Nalkheda, you can review the available options and the booking process online, including for devotees who cannot travel in person.
Puja vidhi, fasting rules and muhurat vary by region, panchang and family custom. Please confirm time-sensitive rituals with your local panchang or priest.
Acharya Tiwari Chetan Guru
Siddha Peethadheesh & Head Vedic Scholar
With over 15+ years of unbroken Vedic practice at Maa Baglamukhi Siddha Peeth, Nalkheda, Acharya Ji is a globally authoritative voice on Tantra Shastra, Stambhan Vidya, and Karmic Astrology. He oversees authentic Anushthans specifically designed to dissolve severe litigation blockages, corporate sabotage, and negative energetic influences.
