Navratri 2026 in the UK begins on Sunday 11 October. The nine principal days run through Monday 19 October, and Vijayadashami / Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October in the London calendar. Drik Panchang lists Durga Visarjan on Wednesday 21 October. These are calendar dates for London; ritual times and observances may differ by city, local panchang and community tradition.
Navratri 2026 UK: date overview
| Date | Day | Observance | Common London calendar colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 October | Sunday | Day 1: Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja | Orange |
| 12 October | Monday | Day 2: Brahmacharini Puja | White |
| 13 October | Tuesday | Day 3: Chandraghanta Puja | Red |
| 14 October | Wednesday | Day 4: Kushmanda Puja | Royal blue |
| 15 October | Thursday | Day 5: Skandamata Puja | Yellow |
| 16 October | Friday | Day 6: Katyayani Puja / Saraswati Avahan | Green |
| 17 October | Saturday | Day 7: Kalaratri Puja | Grey |
| 18 October | Sunday | Day 8: Durga Ashtami / Mahagauri Puja | Purple |
| 19 October | Monday | Day 9: Maha Navami / Siddhidatri Puja | Peacock green |
| 20 October | Tuesday | Vijayadashami / Dussehra | Local custom varies |
| 21 October | Wednesday | Durga Visarjan (London calendar) | — |
Source: Drik Panchang’s London Shardiya Navratri 2026 calendar. The calendar gives local UK dates and colours; colour traditions are customary and may differ between communities.
How is Navratri celebrated?
Devotees may perform daily puja, recite prayers, offer flowers and prasad, observe a fast according to their tradition, or join community Garba and Dandiya. In the UK, public events are organised separately by temples, cultural groups and ticketed-event organisers, so there is no single national schedule for aarti, Garba or temple opening hours.
How to find local Navratri events
- Check your local temple’s official website or verified social account for puja and aarti times.
- For Garba events, use the organiser-linked ticket page and confirm date, start time, venue postcode, age policy and refund terms.
- Do not assume last year’s artist lineup, ticket prices, venue or time remains valid in 2026.
- Check city-specific panchang information for time-sensitive rituals such as Ghatasthapana or Sandhi Puja.
Frequently asked questions
When does Navratri start in the UK in 2026?
Sunday 11 October, according to the London calendar.
When is Dussehra?
Tuesday 20 October 2026 in the London calendar.
Are the nine-day colours official everywhere in the UK?
No. The colour sequence is a custom followed by many devotees, but it is not a universal rule. Follow your own family or temple tradition if it differs.
UK Navratri event updates
For city-specific details, read our 2026 updates for Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Reading.
Dates versus public event schedules
The dates in the calendar describe religious observances, not the times of every UK community event. Organisers can stage Garba nights on selected days, weekends or nearby dates depending on venue availability. Before travelling, confirm the venue, postcode, ticket validity, entry time, age policy and any event cancellation notice on the organiser’s current page. For auspicious puja timings, choose the panchang for your city and verify with your temple; do not copy a London muhurat into another city without checking local calculations.
Last checked: 11 October 2026. Calendar dates use London as the reference location; consult a local panchang or temple timetable for location-specific rituals.