Chaitra Navratri Begins
Chaitra Navratri starts today, March 19, 2026 — it’s a nine-day festival concluding with Ram Navami on March 27 and is observed with fasting, puja and worship of nine forms of Durga (m.economictimes.com). Regional new-year celebrations like Ugadi/Gudi Padwa are also trending on social, with rituals noted such as Abhyanga snanam (oil bath), rangoli and Panchanga Sravanam (x.com) (x.com).
The nine forms of the goddess venerated across the festival are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. (navgrahmandir.org) The ritual of ghatasthapana (kalash installation) this year has an auspicious muhurat window set at 6:52–7:43 AM local time for the first pratipada tithi. (aajtak.in) Maha Ashtami (the eighth day) is marked in temple calendars with Sandhi Puja and Annapurna/Annaprasana observances, and many communities plan Kanya Pujan and special bhog on that day. (navgrahmandir.org) Regional new-year rites that coincide with the festival year—Gudi Padwa and Ugadi—are observed as the start of the Shalivahana/Shaka era year 1948 and feature hoisting a decorated Gudi and the neem‑jaggery (neem‑gur) custom in local households. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) Astrological panels and panchang compilers list the occasion as the start of the Hindu Nav Varsh under Vikram Samvat 2083 for the lunar calendar year, a datum cited in festival guides and local media. (bombaytimes.com) Temples and mandirs nationwide have published day‑wise puja schedules, shopping lists for vrat essentials and special homam/aarti timings to accommodate large congregations during the nine‑day observance. (news.abplive.com)
