Shardiya Navratri 2026: Shardiya Navratri will begin on October 11, know the auspicious time of Ghatasthapan.

Shardiya Navratri 2026: Shardiya Navratri, a great festival of strength, devotion, faith and worship, is starting from October 11 this year. Along with the establishment of Navratri, Matamaha Shradh will also be performed in many homes. On this day, grandchildren will perform Tarpan for their grandmother. According to religious beliefs, this year Goddess Durga will arrive on an elephant, which is considered to be a symbol of happiness and prosperity

Shri Laxminarayan Astro Solutions, Ajmer's Director, Astrologer and Tarot Card Reader Nitika Sharma, the nine days of Shardiya Navratri are dedicated to the worship of nine different forms of Maa Durga. During this time, devotees worship Mataji with rituals and observe fast.

Happy Muhurat of Ghatasthapana

Shardiya Navratri 2026 has mentioned the following auspicious muhurat for kalash installation

• Morning Auspicious Muhurat: 6:19 am to 10:12 am

• Abhijit Muhurat: 11:44 am to 12:31 pm

• Labh and Amrit Chaughdiyun: 10:04 AM to 12:15 PM

time of Pratipada Tithi

• Pratipada Tithi starts: 10th October 2026 at 9:19 PM

• Pratipada Tithi ends: 11th October 2026 at 9:30 PM

• Start of Navratri as per Udayatithi: 11th October 2026

According to religious beliefs, Navratri begins on the Pratipada Tithi of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Aso and ends on the Dashami Tithi i.e. Vijayadashami (Dussehra). With the onset of Shardiya Navratri, the atmosphere of celebration of major festivals in the country begins, which lasts till Dhanteras, Diwali and Chhath Puja

This festival is called 'Shardiya Navratri' as it falls in the autumn season.

Rules for the installation

Astrologer Nitika Sharma, Aso Sud unit i.e. Shardiya Navratri is starting from Sunday, October 11. According to the Devi Purana, there is a tradition of invoking the Goddess and performing Ghatasthapana in the morning during the Dwisbhava marriage

On this day, Chitra Nakshatra will remain till 10:32 pm and Vaidhruti Yoga will remain till 9:05 pm. According to the scriptures, if on the day of Pratipada Tithi, Chitra Nakshatra or Vaidhruti Yoga, or both are all day, then ghatasthapana should be done in Abhijit Muhurat.

Religious significance of Kalash installation

Ghatasthapana means the formal invocation of the Goddess of Shakti. According to religious belief, the Kalash should be installed keeping in mind the auspicious time. It is considered to be forbidden to install the Kalash at night and on the day of Amavasya.

The best time for ghatasthapana is considered to be after one-third of the pratipada tithi. If ghatasthapana is not possible at this time, then the kalash can be installed in the eighth muhurat of the day i.e. Abhijit Muhurat<>

Arrival of Maa Durga on Elephant: A sign of happiness and prosperity

This year, Shardiya Navratri is starting on a Sunday. According to religious beliefs, this year the vehicle of Goddess Durga will be an elephant.

The arrival of the Goddess on the elephant is considered very auspicious. According to the belief, it signifies happiness, peace and prosperity in the times to come. According to the scriptures, when Maa Durga comes riding on an elephant, it is believed that there will be good rains, prosperity in agriculture and a storehouse of food and wealth.