Quick take: Navratri 2026 begins Monday, October 12 and concludes with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. For NRIs across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe, these 10 days are among the most joyous, community-heavy periods on the Hindu calendar — welcoming Goddess Durga into the home, chanting mantras, dancing garba, and celebrating good over evil.
Dates for Navratri 2026
- Day 1 — Shailaputri — Monday, Oct 12
- Day 2 — Brahmacharini — Tuesday, Oct 13
- Day 3 — Chandraghanta — Wednesday, Oct 14
- Day 4 — Kushmanda — Thursday, Oct 15
- Day 5 — Skandamata — Friday, Oct 16
- Day 6 — Katyayani — Saturday, Oct 17
- Day 7 — Kalaratri — Sunday, Oct 18
- Day 8 (Ashtami) — Maha Gauri — Monday, Oct 19
- Day 9 (Navami) — Siddhidatri — Tuesday, Oct 20
- Day 10 — Vijayadashami / Dussehra — Wednesday, Oct 21
Spiritual Significance
Navratri honours Nava Durga — the nine forms of the Divine Mother. Each day worships a different form. Vijayadashami marks Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura, and simultaneously Lord Rama's victory over Ravana.
How NRIs Celebrate Across the World
USA
Major celebrations in NJ (Robbinsville BAPS, Edison), NYC (Flushing), Bay Area, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta. See our NJ/NYC Dussehra Navratri Guide.
UK
London and Leicester host massive garba nights + Durga puja. See our UK Dussehra Guide.
Canada
Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary host Bengali Durga Puja + Gujarati garba nights. See our Toronto Dussehra Guide.
Australia + Europe
Sydney, Melbourne, Perth in Australia; Germany, Netherlands, France, Ireland in Europe — smaller but heartfelt community + temple celebrations.
Home Rituals for NRI Households
- Ghatasthapana on Day 1 — install a kalash + sow barley seeds
- Daily arti + Durga Chalisa recitation
- Change colour of clothes daily per traditional colour palette (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Grey, Orange, White, Pink, Sky Blue)
- Fasting or one-meal-a-day observance for those who choose
- Kanya Puja on Ashtami / Navami — worship 9 young girls as forms of Durga
- Concluding aarti on Vijayadashami + symbolic Ravana Dahan
Prasad + Fasting Foods
See our detailed 9-Day Navratri Fasting Food Guide: sabudana khichdi, kuttu ka atta paratha, samak rice, fruit + milk based prasad.
Garba + Dandiya Nights
The most fun part of Navratri for many NRIs. See our full Garba + Dandiya Guide.
Key Mantras
- Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu — Shakti mantra of the Divine Mother
- Om Sarva Mangala Mangalye — invocation of Durga's auspicious grace
- Sri Durga Chalisa — 40 verses in praise of Durga
See detailed mantras: Nine Forms of Durga — Mantras Guide.
Related Dussehra 2026 Coverage
- Dussehra Navratri 2026 in New Jersey + NYC — Garba Events
- Dussehra 2026 in London + Leicester UK
- Dussehra 2026 in Toronto Canada
- Nine Forms of Durga — Navadurga Daily Puja + Mantras
- Dussehra + Navratri Prasad — 9-Day Fasting Food Guide
- Ravana Dahan Safe Home Celebration for NRIs
- Navratri Garba + Dandiya Guide for NRIs Abroad
Jai Mata Di! Jai Maa Durga!
May Goddess Durga bless every NRI home with strength, victory over obstacles, and prosperity.