Durga Puja 2026 is one of the most important Hindu celebrations associated with Goddess Durga. The festival is observed with devotion, prayers, cultural programs, beautifully decorated pandals, and traditional rituals across different parts of India. If you are planning to travel between different Durga Puja venues, a reliable car rental serviceย can make your journey more convenient.
For many devotees, the festive period is connected with the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga. During the nine days of Sharad Navratri, devotees worship a different form of Maa Durga each day, beginning with Maa Shailputri and concluding with Maa Siddhidatri.
In 2026, Sharad Navratri begins on October 11 and the nine-day period concludes on October 19, followed by Vijayadashami/Dussehra on October 20.
At the same time, the traditional Bengali Durga Puja observance has its main ritual days from Maha Shashthi through Vijaya Dashami, with the 2026 celebrations extending from October 16 to October 21 in the Bengali calendar/observance.
Check the important dates of Sharad Navratri and the major
Durga Puja observances in 2026.
| Day | Date | Goddess / Celebration |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Day 1 | October 11, 2026 | Maa Shailputri |
| 02 Day 2 | October 12, 2026 | Maa Brahmacharini |
| 03 Day 3 | October 13, 2026 | Maa Chandraghanta |
| 04 Day 4 | October 14, 2026 | Maa Kushmanda |
| 05 Day 5 | October 15, 2026 | Maa Skandamata |
| 06 Day 6 | October 16, 2026 | Maa Katyayani Durga Shashthi |
| 07 Day 7 | October 17, 2026 | Maa Kalaratri Saptami |
| 08 Day 8 | October 18, 2026 | Maa Mahagauri Ashtami |
| 09 Day 9 | October 19, 2026 | Maa Siddhidatri Navami |
| 10 Day 10 | October 20, 2026 | Vijayadashami Dussehra |
The answer depends on which tradition is being referred to.
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on October 11, 2026, with Ghatasthapana and Maa Shailputri Puja. The nine-day Navratri period runs through October 19, followed by Vijayadashami on October 20.
For the Bengali Durga Puja tradition, the major Puja days begin with Maha Shashthi on October 16 and continue through Vijaya Dashami. In Delhi, for example, the Ramakrishna Mission Delhi program lists Shashthi on October 16, Saptami on October 17โ18, Ashtami on October 19, Navami on October 20, and Dashami on October 21.
The first day of Durga Puja 2026/Sharad Navratri begins with the worship of Maa Shailputri.
Shailputri is regarded as the first form of Navadurga. The day begins with Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana, which marks the formal beginning of the nine-day festival.
Ghatasthapana Time 2026
For Delhi, the Ghatasthapana Muhurat on October 11 is 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM. An additional Abhijit Muhurat is listed from 11:44 AM to 12:31 PM.
The second day is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini. She represents devotion, determination, discipline, and spiritual strength. Devotees pray for patience and inner strength. The day generally includes morning prayers, mantra chanting, and Navratri Puja according to family or community traditions.
The third day is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta. She is traditionally associated with courage, protection, and peace. Devotees perform special prayers and offer bhog as part of the day’s worship.
The fourth day is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda. She is traditionally associated with energy, prosperity, and creation. Devotees observe the day through prayers, meditation, fasting, and offerings.
The fifth day celebrates Maa Skandamata, traditionally depicted with her son Kartikeya/Skanda. She is associated with motherhood, compassion, and protection.
This date is particularly important because October 16 is also Maha Shashthi in the Bengali Durga Puja tradition.
Bengali Durga Puja rituals include Kalparambha, Bodhan, Amantran, and Adhivas around Shashthi.
The seventh day is dedicated to Maa Kalaratri. She is traditionally associated with strength, protection, and the removal of fear.
October 17 is also Maha Saptami in the Bengali Durga Puja tradition. One of the important rituals is Nabapatrika Puja.
The eighth day is associated with Maa Mahagauri in the nine-form Navadurga tradition. This period is also associated with Durga Ashtami, one of the important days of Bengali Durga Puja.
Sandhi Puja
For New Delhi, the 2026 Sandhi Puja window is approximately 10:28 AM to 11:16 AM on October 19, 2026.
The ninth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri. She is traditionally associated with spiritual fulfillment, wisdom, and divine blessings.
After the nine days of Sharad Navratri, Vijayadashami/Dussehra is observed. It marks the conclusion of Navratri and is associated with the victory of good over evil.
In the Bengali Durga Puja tradition, the final observance is Vijaya Dashami, when devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga and the idol immersion process begins.
Festival Date Note
The dates in this article distinguish between the Sharad Navratri sequence and the Bengali Durga Puja observance, as the two calendars can follow different tithi-based arrangements.
Explore the 2026 Navratri Goddess sequence and the major Durga Puja celebrations from October 11 to October 21.
The apparent overlap in the final dates is due to differences between the Sharad Navratri and Bengali Durga Puja tithi-based observances. For a specific Puja venue, always check the committee’s published schedule.
The nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during the nine days of Sharad Navratri.
Exact Puja timings can vary by city, temple, and Puja committee. The following timings are for Delhi.
Plan Your Durga Puja Visit
Puja timings, cultural programs, and immersion schedules can vary by venue. Check the latest announcement from the individual Puja committee before travelling.
Visitors travelling with family or groups can also consider car rental services in Indiaย for comfortable transportation between different celebration venues.
