Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Sharad Navratri 2026 set to begin October 11 with Ghatasthapana
The nine-day festival of Sharad Navratri, also known as Shardiya Navratri, will commence on October 11, 2026, with the auspicious ritual of Ghatasthapana. Devotees across India are preparing to celebrate the festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her various manifestations.
LSN India ·
Sharad Navratri, observed during the autumn season, marks one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. The festival spans nine days and nights, with each day dedicated to a different form of the goddess, culminating in the celebration of Vijayadashami on the tenth day.
The ceremonial planting of barley seeds in soil, known as Ghatasthapana, will formally inaugurate the festival on October 11. This ritual, performed in homes and temples across the country, symbolizes prosperity and new beginnings. Devotees prepare sacred earthen pots filled with soil and water to nurture the seeds throughout the festival period.
During Sharad Navratri, Hindu tradition calls for fasting, prayer, and the worship of nine forms of the goddess—Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Koushitaki, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. The festival also features the vibrant celebration of Garba and Dandiya Raas dances, particularly in Gujarat and other regions.
The festival concludes with Vijayadashami, celebrated as Dussehra in many parts of India, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Many families and friends exchange greetings and well-wishes during this period to strengthen bonds and seek blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity.