Shardiya Navratri 2026: Day 1 colour, kalash sthapana muhurat, Maa Shailputri puja vidhi, mantra, aarti and bhog

Shardiya Navratri begins on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the worship of Maa Shailputri, the first form of Goddess Durga. The first day of the nine-day festival also marks Ghatasthapana, or Kalash Sthapana, a ritual that symbolises the beginning of Navratri worship.

Devotees observe the festival with prayers, offerings, fasting and rituals dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. If you are observing Navratri on Day 1, here is a guide to the date, colour, Kalash Sthapana shubh muhurat, Maa Shailputri puja vidhi, mantra, aarti, vrat katha and bhog.

Navratri 2026: Shardiya Navratri 2026 Day 1 date and tithi

Shardiya Navratri begins on October 11, 2026, which falls on a Sunday. The first day is dedicated to Maa Shailputri, whose name means daughter of the mountain. She is traditionally depicted riding a bull and holding a trident and a lotus.


According to the Hindu calendar, the festival begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada. The Pratipada tithi starts at 9:19 pm on October 10 and ends at 9:30 pm on October 11, according to Drik Panchang's timings for New Delhi.

Shardiya Navratri 2026: Navratri Day 1 colour 2026

The colour associated with the first day of Shardiya Navratri 2026 is orange. The colour is commonly associated with energy, enthusiasm and positivity in Navratri colour traditions.

Devotees who follow the nine-day colour tradition may wear orange clothes while performing Maa Shailputri puja. The colour can also be incorporated into the puja arrangement or other festive decorations.

Shardiya Navratri: Navratri Kalash Sthapana shubh muhurat 2026

Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana or Navratri Sthapana, marks the beginning of Navratri worship. The ritual involves placing a sacred pot in the puja area and invoking the divine presence of Goddess Shakti.

For Delhi, the Ghatasthapana muhurat on October 11, 2026, is as follows, according to Drik Panchang.

• Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
• Ghatasthapana muhurat: 6:19 am to 10:12 am
• Abhijit muhurat: 11:44 am to 12:31 pm

These timings are specific to Delhi. Devotees should check their local Panchang for the appropriate Kalash Sthapana muhurat in their city.

Shardiya Navratri 2026: Ghatasthapana puja samagri 2026

The items used for Kalash Sthapana may vary according to family traditions and regional customs. Commonly used puja samagri includes:

• A clean Kalash or sacred pot
• Water and mango leaves
• Coconut and red cloth
• Clean soil and barley seeds
• Flowers and flower garlands
• Roli or kumkum, akshat and turmeric
• A diya, ghee, incense sticks and camphor
• Fruits, sweets and other offerings

Devotees should arrange the puja items before beginning the ritual to avoid interruptions during worship.

2026 Shardiya Navratri: Maa Shailputri puja vidhi for Navratri Day 1

Maa Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. The puja is performed with prayers and offerings, although specific rituals may differ across regions and households.

1. Clean the puja area: Bathe, wear clean clothes and prepare the place where the goddess will be worshipped.
2. Perform Ghatasthapana: Establish the sacred Kalash according to the family tradition and the local muhurat.
3. Offer prayers to Maa Shailputri: Place the goddess's image or idol in the puja area and offer flowers, kumkum, akshat and other customary items.
4. Light a diya: Light a lamp and incense as part of the worship.
5. Chant the mantra: Recite Maa Shailputri's mantra with devotion.
6. Offer bhog: Present fruits, sweets or other permitted offerings to the goddess.
7. Perform aarti: Conclude the worship with aarti and prayers for the well-being of the family.

Those observing a fast can follow their customary fasting rules and dietary practices during the day.

Navratri 2026: Maa Shailputri mantra in Hindi

Devotees chant Maa Shailputri's mantra while offering prayers on the first day of Navratri.

Maa Shailputri mantra

ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥

Meaning: I bow to Goddess Shailputri.

Devotees may repeat the mantra during their daily puja, focusing on prayer and devotion. The number of repetitions can depend on personal practice and family tradition.

Shardiya Navratri: Maa Shailputri aarti

Aarti is performed to conclude the puja and express devotion to the goddess. Devotees may sing a traditional Durga aarti, such as Jai Ambe Gauri, or follow a Maa Shailputri-specific aarti used in their family or regional tradition.

The aarti is generally performed with a lit lamp, accompanied by prayers and devotional singing. Families may also ring bells and offer flowers during the ritual.

Navratri: Maa Shailputri vrat katha in Hindi

According to Hindu tradition, Maa Shailputri is the daughter of Himavan, the personification of the Himalayas. Her name combines the Sanskrit words shaila, meaning mountain, and putri, meaning daughter.

In her previous birth, the goddess was Sati, the daughter of King Daksha and the consort of Lord Shiva. Traditional accounts describe how Sati gave up her life after Daksha insulted Lord Shiva. She was later reborn as the daughter of Himavan and came to be known as Shailputri.

As Maa Shailputri, she is worshipped as a form of Goddess Durga and is associated with strength, devotion and stability. Her mount is a bull, and she is usually depicted holding a trident and a lotus.

Devotees listen to or read the vrat katha as part of their Navratri observance, seeking the goddess's blessings and remembering the significance of faith and devotion.

Maa Shailputri bhog for Navratri Day 1

Devotees offer food to Maa Shailputri as part of the first-day puja. Pure ghee is commonly associated with her worship, while fruits, sweets and other vegetarian offerings may also be presented according to family tradition.

Some devotees prepare milk-based sweets or offer other simple, sattvic foods. The bhog is offered after the puja and may later be distributed as prasad among family members.

The precise offering can differ according to regional customs. Devotees can follow the practices traditionally observed in their household.

Shardiya Navratri 2026: Why is Maa Shailputri worshipped on the first day of Navratri?

Maa Shailputri is the first of the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri. Her association with the mountains is traditionally linked with strength, steadiness and determination.

The first day marks the beginning of the nine-day period of prayer and devotion. Worshipping Maa Shailputri is believed by devotees to help them seek blessings for courage, peace and a positive beginning to the festival.

As Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins, devotees will observe the first day with Ghatasthapana, prayers, mantra chanting and offerings to Maa Shailputri.