Navratri: Nine Nights with the Goddess

One short sitting each night of Sharad Navratri: the Durga Chalisa and the aarti Jai Ambe Gauri, with Lakshmi and Saraswati joining in the middle and last three nights. Each night names the form of the Goddess honoured that day.

9 nights · about 17 min each time

Begin

Sankalp complete. You kept every step.

Day by day

Night 1
Vakratunda Mahakaya · Durga Chalisa · Jai Ambe Gauri

Pratipada: Ghatasthapana, the setting up of the kalash. The Goddess is honoured as Shailaputri, daughter of the mountain. Begin with Ganesh, as every puja does.
Night 2
Durga Chalisa · Jai Ambe Gauri

Dwitiya: Brahmacharini, the Goddess in penance.
Night 3
Durga Chalisa · Jai Ambe Gauri

Tritiya: Chandraghanta, who wears the crescent moon like a bell.
Night 4
Durga Chalisa · Mahalakshmi Ashtakam · Jai Ambe Gauri

Chaturthi: Kushmanda, who smiled the universe into being. From tonight, the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam joins for three nights.
Night 5
Durga Chalisa · Mahalakshmi Ashtakam · Jai Ambe Gauri

Panchami: Skandamata, mother of Kartikeya.
Night 6
Durga Chalisa · Mahalakshmi Ashtakam · Jai Ambe Gauri

Shashthi: Katyayani, the warrior form born in the ashram of sage Katyayana.
Night 7
Durga Chalisa · Saraswati Vandana (Ya Kundendu) · Jai Ambe Gauri

Saptami: Kalaratri, the fierce form who removes fear. From tonight, the Saraswati Vandana joins for the last three nights.
Night 8
Durga Chalisa · Saraswati Vandana (Ya Kundendu) · Jai Ambe Gauri

Ashtami: Mahagauri, radiant and calm. Many families honour young girls as the Goddess today or tomorrow (kanya puja).
Night 9
Durga Chalisa · Saraswati Vandana (Ya Kundendu) · Jai Ambe Gauri

Navami: Siddhidatri, giver of all accomplishment. Tomorrow is Vijayadashami.

When to keep it

Sharad Navratri 2026: 11 – 19 October 2026
Sharad Navratri 2027: 30 September – 8 October 2027

You can begin any day.

Sharad Navratri →

Sit down once each evening, after lighting a diya near the kalash or a picture of Durga. Each sitting takes about fifteen to twenty minutes.

If you keep a fast, recite before you break it. If you cannot sit every night, do what you can. The Goddess is a mother, and the plan simply waits for you.

Where this practice comes from

The nine forms of Durga (Navadurga), one for each night, are honoured across North India and in many homes abroad. Many South Indian homes keep the nine nights as three for Durga, three for Lakshmi and three for Saraswati; this plan joins both customs. In Andhra and Telangana the Goddess may be adorned in other forms night by night, and Tamil homes set up a golu. Follow your family's way where it differs.

Reminders in your calendar

Download one calendar file with every remaining step of this plan, each with an alert at the time you choose. It works with Google, Apple and Outlook calendars, with no account and no app.

Remind me at

Start the plan first, then add it to your calendar.

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