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Navratri 2024 Date in India: The nine-day Shardiya, or Shrad Navratri, is an important Hindu festival observed across India. It is devoted to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
Shardiya Navratri is commemorated in the Hindu month of Ashwin, which often falls between September and October on the Gregorian calendar.
Out of the four Navratris—Magha (winter), Chaitra (spring), Ashadha (monsoon), and Sharad or Shardiya (autumn), it is regarded as the most significant, which is why it is also known as Maha Navratri.
The nine-day Shardiya, also known as Shrad Navratri, occurs in the lunar month of Ashwin during Sharad Ritu, and it concludes on the tenth day with Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
It celebrates the killing of Mahishasura, a demon, by Goddess Durga after a long battle of nine days that culminated on the 10th day as Vijayadashami, which is why she is famously called Mahishasuramardini, or the slayer of Mahishasur.
Additionally, the 10th day of Navratri is celebrated as Vijayadashami, the day Lord Rama won the battle against Ravana and recovered Goddess Sita.
The nine-day festival will end on Saturday, October 12, 2024, with Dussehra (or Vijayadashami) being observed on the same day.
| Navratri Day | Date | Weekday | Puja | Navratri Colour |
| Day 1 | 3rd October 2024 | Thursday | Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja | Yellow |
| Day 2 | 4th October 2024 | Friday | Chandra Darshana, Brahmacharini Puja | Green |
| Day 3 | 5th October 2024 | Saturday | Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja | Grey |
| Day 4 | 6th October 2024 | Sunday | Vinayaka Chaturthi | Orange |
| Day 5 | 7th October 2024 | Monday | Kushmanda Puja, Upang Lalita Vrat | White |
| Day 6 | 8th October 2024 | Tuesday | Skandamata Puja | Red |
| Day 7 | 9th October 2024 | Wednesday | Saraswati Avahan, Katyayani Puja | Royal Blue |
| Day 8 | 10th October 2024 | Thursday | Saraswati Puja, Kalaratri Puja | Pink |
| Day 9 | 11th October 2024 | Friday | Durga Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja, Sandhi Puja | Purple |
| Day 10 | 12th October 2024 | Saturday | Ayudha Puja, Navami Homa, Vijayadashami, Durga Visarjan | N/A |
Source: Drik Panchang
| Event | Timings | Date/Day |
| Dashami Tithi Begins: | 10:58 AM | October 12, 2024 (Saturday) |
| Dashami Tithi Ends: | 09:08 AM | October 13, 2024 (Sunday) |
| Shravana Nakshatra Begins: | 05:25 AM | October 12, 2024 (Saturday) |
| Shravana Nakshatra Ends: | 04:27 AM | October 13, 2024 (Sunday) |
| Vijay Muhurat: | 02: 03 PM to 02:49 PM | October 12, 2024 (Saturday) |
| Aparahna Puja Time: | 01:17 PM to 03:35 PM | October 13, 2024 (Sunday) |
It is dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Shakti, with each day dedicated to a different goddess.
The festival also signifies righteousness and the power of good to triumph over evil, teaching moral values like bravery and virtue.
People observe fasting during the nine days or on the first two or last two days, while some keep it for all nine days.
Starting on the Pratipada of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin, devotees of Goddess Durga fast and worship her for nine days, reciting the Durga Stotra and Durga Chalisa, with a belief that worshipping Durga with devotion will grant wishes.
Each day of Navratri has a distinct Durga avatar, such as Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, or Chandraghanta.
The festival is also considered a harvest festival, praising the Goddess as the motherly power behind life and creation.
