Navratri 2026: Nine Days, Nine Goddesses, One Story a Night
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs Sunday, 11 October to Monday, 19 October, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, 20 October. Each night belongs to a different form of the Goddess — here's who is honoured when, and a simple way to make each night special for your children.
| Day | Date | Goddess | Celebrate with kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, 11 October |  Shailputri | Begin the journey. Read Shailputri's story after the kalash sthapana — the perfect first night. |
| 2 | Monday, 12 October |  Brahmacharini | Talk about determination over dinner. Ask: what is something you'd work that hard for? |
| 3 | Tuesday, 13 October |  Chandraghanta | Courage night. Ask your child: “When did you feel brave this week?” |
| 4 | Wednesday, 14 October |  Kushmanda | Creation night. Draw the universe together — then talk about the smile that made it. |
| 5 | Thursday, 15 October |  Skandamata | Family night. Read together under one blanket — it's the mother's day. |
| 6 | Friday, 16 October |  Katyayani | The lion's day. Make a paper lion mask and talk about standing up to bullies. |
| 7 | Saturday, 17 October |  Kalaratri | Lights-off night. Read Kalaratri's story by lamp light and talk about what helps us not feel afraid. |
| 8 | Sunday, 18 October |  Mahagauri | Maha Ashtami. Forgiveness night — one kind thing each, for someone you were cross with. |
| 9 | Monday, 19 October |  Siddhidatri | The last night. Re-read your child's favourite of the nine and end with thanks. |
Get the books before Day 1
One storybook for every night of the festival. Books 1–6 — Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata and Katyayani — are out now (₹200 each, or sets of three — Books 1–3 or Books 4–6 — for ₹500 a set; free delivery across India). Order them and follow along night by night.
More for Navratri 2026: how to explain Navratri to kids, the animal each goddess rides, gift ideas for kids and Kanya Pujan gifts.
Navratri 2026 — quick answers
When is Navratri in 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 11 October to Monday, 19 October. Vijayadashami (Dussehra) falls on Tuesday, 20 October.
Which goddess is worshipped on each day of Navratri 2026?
Day 1 (Oct 11) Shailputri, Day 2 (Oct 12) Brahmacharini, Day 3 (Oct 13) Chandraghanta, Day 4 (Oct 14) Kushmanda, Day 5 (Oct 15) Skandamata, Day 6 (Oct 16) Katyayani, Day 7 (Oct 17) Kalaratri, Day 8 (Oct 18) Mahagauri, Day 9 (Oct 19) Siddhidatri.
How do I celebrate Navratri with young kids?
One small ritual a night works best: read that day's goddess story, ask one simple question about it, and do a tiny activity (draw, colour, dress up, sing). Our guide to the 9 forms of Durga for kids has a story and a lesson for each night.
What can I gift kids for Navratri?
A storybook series built for the festival: the Navadurga Series (ages 4–10, ₹200 each, or sets of three (Books 1–3 or Books 4–6) for ₹500; free delivery across India) — one goddess for every night of Navratri. Books 1–6 are out now and ship within 1 day.