When is Navaratri in 2021, 2022, and 2023?

Navaratri in 2021, 2022, and 2023

There are four different Navaratri festivals that happen in India throughout the year. However, Sharad Navaratri (also known as Shardiya Navaratri) is the most popular one. Sharad Navaratri, which is the focus of this article, usually takes place in late September or early October each year. The dates of the festival are determined according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It's usually a nine-night festival that ends with Dussehra, the victory of good over evil, on the tenth day. However, some years it's reduced to eight nights or extended to 10 nights. This is because, astrologically, some of the lunar days occur on the same date or occur across two dates. This is the case in 2021, when Sharad Navaratri is only eight nights long.

• In 2021, Sharad Navaratri dates are October 7-14. (See calendar).
• In 2022, Sharad Navaratri dates are September 26-October 4.
• In 2023, Sharad Navaratri dates are October 15-23.

The other significant Navaratri festival, Chaitra Navaratri, will take place from April 13-21, 2021. It starts on the first day of the new Hindu lunar calendar, and its ninth day is Ram Navami. This Navaratri is most widely celebrated in northern India. In Maharashtra, the occasion is celebrated as Gudi Padwa, and Ugadi in South India.

Sharad Navaratri Dates Detailed Information

During Navaratri, Goddess Durga (the mother goddess, who is an aspect of Goddess Parvati), is worshiped in each of her nine forms. Each day has a different ritual associated with it. In addition, predominantly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, there's a custom of wearing different colors of dress on each day. 

• Day 1: Pratipada (October 7, 2021). To mark the commencement of Navaratri, a ritual called Ghatasthapana is performed to invoke the energy of the goddess. On Pratipada, the goddess is worshiped as Shailputri, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati meaning "Daughter of the Mountain". She represents nature and joy. The color to be worn on this day is yellow.
• Day 2: Dwitiya (October 8, 2021). This is when the goddess is worshiped as Brahmacharini, the unmarried form of Goddess Parvati. As she undertook great penance to get Lord Shiva to marry her, she's associated with pious strictness. The color to be worn on this day is green.
• Day 3: Tritiya (October 9, 2021) is when the goddess is worshiped as Chandraghanta, the married form the Goddess Parvati. Her name is derived from the half moon on her forehead, which looks like a bell. She's depicted riding on a tigress, and is associated with bravery and courage to fight evil. This year, Chaturthi also occurs on this day. The goddess is worshiped as Kushmanda, who lived inside the sun and is believed to have created the universe, giving light and energy to it. She represents the form of Durga that is the source of all. The color to be worn on this day is gray.
• Day 4: Panchami (October 10, 2021) is when the goddess is worshiped as Skandamata, the mother of Kartikeya (also known as Skanda), son of Lord Shiva and brother of Lord Ganesha. She represents selfless love and purity. The color to be worn on this day is orange.
• Day 5: Shasthi (October 11, 2021) Saraswati Avahan, when Goddess Saraswati is invoked, falls on this day. Goddess Katyayani, who Goddess Parvarti morphed into in order to fight and destroy the buffalo demon Mahishasura, is also worshiped on this day. She represents a warrior form of the goddess. The color to be worn on this day is white.
• Day 6: Saptami (October 12, 2021) is when the goddess is worshiped as Kalaratri, the dark night. She appeared to destroy some particularly evil demons in the battle against Mahishasura. She's the goddess's fiercest form and represents protection from all troubles. Saraswati Puja is also to be performed on this day. The color to be worn on this day is red.
• Day 7: Ashtami (October 13, 2021) is when the goddess is worshiped as Mahagauri, the younger version of Shailputri who had a very fair and perfect complexion. She represents grace, the cleansing of sins, and betterment of society. This is also the most important day of Durga Puja. The color to be worn on this day is royal blue.
• Day 8: Navami (October 14, 2021) is when the goddess is worshiped as Siddhidatri, who embodies all eight siddhis (supernatural powers). She is believed to have granted them to Lord Shiva when he worshiped her, and she also bestows them upon her devotees. The color to be worn on this day is pink.

Note that in South India, Goddess Durga is worshiped during the first three days of the Navaratri festival, followed by Goddess Lakshmi during the next three days, and finally Goddess Saraswati on the last three days.