Magha Navratri 2026

Magha Navratri, also known as Gupt Navratri, is a sacred nine-day festival celebrated during the Magha month of the Hindu calendar. Though not as widely celebrated as Sharad or Chaitra Navratri, Magha Navratri holds deep spiritual importance, especially for devotees seeking divine blessings, inner strength, and prosperity. In 2026, Magha Navratri begins on 19 January 2026 (Monday) and ends on 28 January 2026 (Wednesday), concluding with Navratri Parana.

Magha Navratri is a nine-day long festival dedicated to the nine forms of Maa Durga, celebrated during the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the Magha month. This form of Navratri is considered more spiritually intense and is often observed by devotees who wish to perform sadhana, meditation, and vrat for divine blessings. Though popular mostly in North India, it is also observed in many temples across the country. Why is it called Gupt Navratri? It is called Gupt (secret) Navratri because: Its rituals are deeply spiritual.

Many tantric sadhaks perform special sadhana during this period.

It focuses more on devotion, purity, meditation, and inner awakening.

Magha Navratri is spiritually powerful and is believed to bring:

1. Removal of Obstacles Maa Durga removes all kinds of problems—family issues, financial struggles, career obstacles, and emotional distress.

2. Purification of Mind and Soul This Navratri is ideal for meditation, introspection, and spiritual awakening.

3. Blessings of the Nine Goddesses Each day worshipping a form of Goddess Durga brings: Strength Courage Knowledge Compassion Prosperity Protection

4. Fulfillment of Wishes Devotees believe that wishes made during this Navratri are fulfilled much faster due to the highly auspicious energy of the period.

5. Protection from Negative Energies Magha Navratri is known for shielding devotees from negative influences and harmful forces.

Anyone can observe it, especially those who seek: Peace and protection in life

Mental strength and courage

Career or business growth

Good health and positivity

Spiritual development

Fulfillment of long-pending desires

Removal of negative energies

Devotees who are unable to fast all nine days may keep fasting only on the first, last, or Ashtami day.

Below is the detailed guide for each day. Day 1 – 19 January 2026 (Monday) Goddess: Shailputri | Tithi: Pratipada Ritual: Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja** Significance Shailputri represents strength, purity, and a fresh beginning. Worshipping her brings stability and positive energy. Puja Items Kalash, coconut, soil, barley seeds, red cloth, flowers, ghee diya.

Day 2 – 20 January 2026 (Tuesday) Goddess: Brahmacharini | Tithi: Dwitiya** Significance She symbolizes devotion, discipline, and spiritual power. Her blessings grant peace and inner strength.

Day 3 – 21 January 2026 (Wednesday) Goddess: Chandraghanta | Tithi: Tritiya** Significance Chandraghanta removes fears, anxieties, and negative energies.

Day 4 – 22 January 2026 (Thursday) Goddess: Kushmanda | Tithi: Chaturthi** Significance Creator of the universe; brings health, energy, and abundance. Worshipping her reduces health issues.

Day 5 – 23 January 2026 (Friday) Goddess: Skandamata | Tithi: Panchami** Significance The mother of Lord Kartikeya. She grants maternal blessings, harmony, and prosperity.

Day 6 – 24 January 2026 (Saturday) Goddess: Katyayani | Tithi: Shashthi** Significance Powerful warrior goddess. Unmarried girls especially worship her for marriage, love, and good partners.

Day 7 – 25 January 2026 (Sunday) Goddess: Kalaratri | Tithi: Saptami** Significance Destroys evil forces and protects devotees from fear, nightmares, and negative energies.

Day 8 – 26 January 2026 (Monday) Goddess: Mahagauri | Tithi: Ashtami Special: Durga Ashtami & Sandhi Puja** Sandhi Puja Timings Begins: 08:53 PM

Ends: 09:41 PM

Significance Mahagauri symbolizes purity and perfection. Sandhi Puja is performed at the exact moment when Ashtami ends and Navami begins—considered extremely auspicious. Girls (Kanya Puja) are worshipped on this day.

Day 9 – 27 January 2026 (Tuesday) Goddess: Siddhidatri | Tithi: Navami** Significance She grants siddhis (divine powers), wisdom, clarity, and spiritual realization. The fast can be completed after this puja.

Day 10 – 28 January 2026 (Wednesday) Tithi: Dashami Ritual: Navratri Parana** Significance This is the concluding day when devotees break their fast and complete the rituals with gratitude.

Magha Navratri Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) 2026 Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Navratri. Items Needed Clay pot Barley seeds Kalash Mango leaves Coconut Flowers Red cloth Rice, turmeric, kumkum Procedure Clean the puja area. Place the clay pot and fill it with soil and barley seeds. Fill the Kalash with water, coins, and cardamom. Place mango leaves at the top.

Tie a red cloth and place the coconut.

Invoke Maa Durga and begin Navratri worship.

Step 1: Morning Preparations Wake up early, take a bath. Wear clean clothes. Light a diya and incense.

Step 2: Sankalp (Vow) Take a pledge to observe the vrat with devotion and purity.

Step 3: Daily Puja Ritual Offer flowers, incense, akshata, and sweets. Read the day’s Devi stotra or Durga Chalisa. Recite the goddess mantra

Step 4: Fasting Devotees may observe: Nirjala fast (without water) – optional Fruit fast Milk and satvik diet One-time meal (after sunset)

Step 5: Evening Puja Perform aarti, meditate, and pray for blessings.

Step 6: Navratri Parana On Dashami, break the fast with satvik food. Many also perform: Kanya Puja Charity Feeding cows or birds

Fasting Rules of Magha Navratri

Allowed Foods Fruits, milk, curd, ghee Nuts, coconut Sabudana, kuttu atta, singhara atta Rock salt Light satvik dishes

Not Allowed Onion, garlic Wheat, rice (for strict fasting) Non-vegetarian food Alcohol or tobacco Spicy, fried, or junk food

Mental Guidelines Avoid: Anger Negative talk Arguments Laziness Practice: Meditation Chanting

Purity of mind

According to sacred texts, the nine forms of Maa Durga represent the divine power that maintains creation, protects the world, and destroys negative energies. During Magha Navratri, Maa Durga descended to bless devotees and remove obstacles from their lives. Those who sincerely worship her are blessed with: Strength

Purity

Knowledge

Protection

Prosperity

The moral of the Navratri story is: “Where there is devotion, purity, and courage, the Divine Mother protects and guides her devotees.”

1. Protection from negative energies Maa Durga shields devotees from harmful influences.
2. Fulfillment of desires Wishes made during this Navratri are believed to be granted.
3. Improved health and wellbeing Relieves stress and brings emotional balance.
4. Prosperity and success Ideal for career growth, business stability, and financial progress.
5. Marital harmony Blessings for love, peace, and understanding.
6. Spiritually uplifting Deepens meditation and helps devotees achieve inner peace.

Durga Mantra “Om Dum Durgaye Namaha” Navdurga Mantra “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah” Shanti Mantra “Om Shanti Shanti Shantih” Chanting mantras daily brings mental peace and spiritual clarity.

Magha Navratri 2026 is a spiritually energizing and powerful period for worshipping the nine forms of Maa Durga. Observing the nine days with devotion, fasting, meditation, and puja brings: Peace Prosperity Health Protection Fulfilled wishes

Whether you keep all nine days or only a few, the divine blessings of the Mother Goddess always reach those who worship with a sincere heart.