Navratri 2026: 9-Day Puja Samagri, Ghatasthapana & Preparation Guide
Sharadiya Navratri 2026 begins on 11 October and ends with Vijayadashami on 19 October. These nine days are devoted to the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga — from ghatasthapana to kanya pujan, each day has its own samagri and vidhi.
This guide covers the complete Navratri samagri list, the method of ghatasthapana, the nine goddesses and the essential fasting rules in simple language.
Ghatasthapana samagri — the most important list of day one
Navratri begins with ghatasthapana. You will need: an earthen or copper kalash, a coconut (with husk, wrapped in red cloth), mango leaves, mauli (sacred thread), barley seeds, soil, Ganga jal, kumkum, haldi and akshat. Keep a wide earthen vessel separately for sowing the barley — this "khet" is worshipped for all nine days.
The complete list with quantities is in our Durga puja / Navratri samagri list — check it once and you will not need to run to the shop again and again.
Open the complete checklist
Nine days, nine goddesses
Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one form of Maa Durga:
- Day 1 — Shailaputri (Ghatasthapana)
- Day 2 — Brahmacharini
- Day 3 — Chandraghanta
- Day 4 — Kushmanda
- Day 5 — Skandamata
- Day 6 — Katyayani
- Day 7 — Kaalratri
- Day 8 — Mahagauri (Durga Ashtami)
- Day 9 — Siddhidatri (Navami)
Fasting rules — made easy
- On falhaar days, vegetables like potato, arbi, sweet potato and pumpkin are eaten
- Use only sendha (rock) salt — regular salt is avoided during the fast
- Avoid food made with onion and garlic on fasting days
- You can eat once during the day and take fruits at night — a complete fast is not compulsory
- Bathe each morning, light a diya before the Goddess, and recite the Durga Chalisa or Durga Saptashati
Ashtami and Navami — preparing for kanya pujan
Kanya pujan takes place on Ashtami or Navami. You will need: halwa, puri and black chana for the bhog, a full thali, chunari, kumkum, rice, fruits, and a gift or dakshina appropriate to the child's age. Inviting nine girls is considered most auspicious, but worship as many as you can comfortably host.
The everyday small items
For nine days you will daily need: flowers (especially red), a red chunari, sindoor, akshat, a ghee diya, dhoop, camphor, coconut and sweets for bhog. Buy all of this in one go with a list — the budget calculator will tell you the cost of the whole Navratri in advance. Buy flowers and sweets fresh each day; keep everything else ready from day one.
Mind the shubh muhurat and rahukaal
Both ghatasthapana and Vijayadashami should ideally begin in a shubh muhurat. Check the exact timing for your city and the daily rahukaal in our Muhurat Finder.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Navratri 2026 start?
Sharadiya Navratri 2026 begins on 11 October 2026 and ends with Vijayadashami on 19 October 2026.
What samagri is needed for ghatasthapana?
Kalash, coconut, mango leaves, mauli, barley, soil, Ganga jal, kumkum, haldi and akshat — the full list with quantities is in our Navratri samagri list.
Can I do the puja without fasting?
Yes, fasting is not compulsory. Daily worship with devotion and eating sattvic food is what matters most.
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