Navratri 2026 in Rajasthan: Quick Answer
Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026, with Ghatasthapana in the morning. In Rajasthan the Ghatasthapana muhurat is 6:24–10:17 AM in Jaipur, 6:35–10:28 AM in Jodhpur, 6:31–10:25 AM in Udaipur, 6:23–10:16 AM in Kota and 6:35–10:27 AM in Bikaner. If you miss the morning window, use the Abhijit muhurat (Jaipur 11:50 AM–12:37 PM). The Pratipada tithi runs from 9:19 PM on 10 October to 9:30 PM on 11 October.
| City | Ghatasthapana muhurat | Duration | Abhijit muhurat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaipur | 6:24 – 10:17 AM | 3 h 53 m | 11:50 AM – 12:37 PM |
| Jodhpur | 6:35 – 10:28 AM | 3 h 53 m | 12:01 – 12:48 PM |
| Udaipur | 6:31 – 10:25 AM | 3 h 54 m | 11:58 AM – 12:45 PM |
| Kota | 6:23 – 10:16 AM | 3 h 54 m | 11:50 AM – 12:37 PM |
| Bikaner | 6:35 – 10:27 AM | 3 h 52 m | 12:00 – 12:47 PM |
Why Do Timings Differ Across Rajasthan?
The tithi begins at the same instant everywhere, but the muhurat depends on local sunrise. Rajasthan spans about eight degrees of longitude, so the sun rises in Kota and Jaipur roughly 10–12 minutes earlier than in Jodhpur and Bikaner. That's why the western cities' windows start later.
Key Dates
- •Ghatasthapana: Sunday, 11 October
- •Durga Ashtami: Monday, 19 October (Ashtami till 10:51 AM)
- •Navami / parana: Navami till 12:50 PM on 20 October
- •Dussehra: Tuesday, 20 October
Rajasthan Traditions
Devotees throng Shila Mata at Amer (Jaipur), Chamunda Mata at Mehrangarh (Jodhpur), Karni Mata at Deshnoke (Bikaner), Jeen Mata (Sikar) and Tanot Mata (Jaisalmer). Kota's famous Dussehra fair builds up through Navratri, and garba is popular in Udaipur and southern Rajasthan.
How to Perform Ghatasthapana
- 1Spread clean soil in a wide clay tray and sow barley (jawara) — a cherished Rajasthani custom.
- 2Place a kalash filled with water, Gangajal, a betel nut, a coin, akshat and durva in the centre.
- 3Cover its mouth with five mango or ashoka leaves and set a coconut wrapped in red chunari on top.
- 4Invoke Maa Durga, light the akhand jyot with ghee, and keep it burning through Navratri.
- 5Water the jawara daily; on Navami or Dussehra they are immersed, and a few sprouts are worn as a blessing.
Kanya Pujan in Rajasthan
On Ashtami (19 October) or Navami morning (20 October, before 12:50 PM), nine girls are worshipped along with a boy honoured as "Languriya" (a form of Bhairav or Hanuman), fed halwa-puri-chana and given dakshina.
Ajmer, Bhilwara, Alwar and Sikar
These cities fall between the listed ones: Alwar and Sikar are close to Jaipur's timings, Ajmer and Bhilwara lie between Jaipur and Udaipur. Check the Panchang for exact minutes.
Summary
Install the kalash on 11 October 2026 in your city's window: Jaipur 6:24–10:17 AM, Jodhpur 6:35–10:28 AM, Udaipur 6:31–10:25 AM, Kota 6:23–10:16 AM, or in Abhijit as a backup.
