Sharad Navratri 2027: Date, Tithi, Muhurta & Significance
In 2027, Sharad Navratri falls on Thursday, 30 September 2027.
History & Mythology
The demon Mahishasura had meditated for thousands of years to obtain a supreme boon from Brahma: no man or god could kill him. Armed with near-invincibility, he defeated the armies of Indra and seized the three worlds. The gods, homeless and humiliated, channeled their combined divine shakti (energy) into a single blazing stream of light that coalesced into the form of Goddess Durga—radiant, ten-armed, and mounted on a lion.
Each god armed her: Shiva gave her his trident, Vishnu his sudarshana discus, Indra his thunderbolt, Agni his fire dart, Vayu his bow, Varuna his conch, Surya filled her quiver with arrows, and the Himalaya itself gave her a lion as her divine vehicle.
For nine nights and ten days, Durga battled Mahishasura's vast demon army. The buffalo-demon kept shape-shifting—lion, human, buffalo—each time finding Durga had an answer for him. On the tenth day (Vijayadashami), she pinned Mahishasura under her foot and drove her trident through his chest. The nine nights celebrate her nine manifestations: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri—nine faces of the divine feminine from the tender to the terrible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Sharad Navratri begin and what is Ghatasthapana?
Sharad Navratri (also spelled Navaratri) begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada with Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) — the installation of the sacred pot that opens the nine nights. It is done in a fixed muhurat during the first third of the day, avoiding the Chitra Nakshatra and Vaidhriti Yoga windows where possible; the exact time is computed for your city.
What are the nine forms of Durga worshipped in Navratri?
The Navadurga, one on each night: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri — nine faces of the Goddess from the gentle to the fierce.
What are Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Kanya Pujan?
Ashtami and Navami are the most sacred of the nine days. Kanya Pujan (Kumari Puja) — worshipping young girls as living forms of the Goddess — is performed on Ashtami or Navami, and the Navratri fast is traditionally broken after it.
What is the difference between Sharad Navratri and Chaitra Navratri?
Sharad Navratri falls in autumn (Ashwin month) and is the more widely observed; Chaitra Navratri falls in spring and culminates in Ram Navami. Both are nine nights devoted to the nine forms of Durga.
How are Hindu festival dates calculated?
Hindu festival dates are calculated using the Panchang — the Vedic almanac based on Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (Moon's asterism), and other astronomical factors. Most festivals fall on specific Tithis in particular lunar months. AstroJanamPatrika calculates these with the Swiss Ephemeris, making dates accurate to the minute rather than relying on pre-printed almanacs.
Why do Hindu festival dates change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunisolar calendar, not the Gregorian solar calendar. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, festivals drift earlier each year, and an intercalary month (Adhika Masa) is added roughly every 2–3 years to realign the two. This is why Diwali, Navratri and other festivals fall on different Gregorian dates each year.