Paush Navratri 2025-2026

Paush Navratri, also spelt as Poush Navratras, is a nine-day festival celebrated from eighth day to Purnima day in Paush month or Pushya masam. In 2025-2026, Paush Navratri begins on 28 December and ends on January 3, 2026.

Pushya masa Navratras are also called as Shakambari Navratri in some areas. In Shakambari mata temples, Navratri utsav is celebrated with lot of gusto during Poush month.

Shakambari Navratri in major temples of Goddess Shakambari:

Paush Navratri is celebrated in Shakambari temples located in Badami, Bangalore in Karnataka, in Nagewadi, Maharashtra, Kumbhoj near Satara, Sharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Sambhar in Rajasthan.

In Badami Banashankari devi temple in Karnataka, Banashankari Jatra is celebrated during Shakambari Navaratri. Banadashtami or Banada Astami festival is also celebrated during Shakambari Navaratri in Badami region.

Paush Navratri is not much popular festive season dedicated to Goddess Durga. The famous Navratri are – Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. Gupt Navratri are Magh Navratras and Ashada Navaratras.

Apart from Navadurga Goddesses like Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, some other manifestations of the Goddess are also worshipped in some places.

1. Durga – First day is dedicated to Maa Durga

2. Bhadrakali – Second day is dedicated to Maa Bhadrakali

3. Jagadamba – Third day is dedicated to Maa Jagadamba

4. Annapurna – Fourth day is dedicated to Maa Annapurna

5. Sarvamangala – Fifth day is dedicated of Maa Savamangala

6. Bhairavi – Sixth day is dedicated to Maa Bhairavi

7. Chandika – Seventh day is dedicated ted to Maa Chandika

8. Lalita – Eighth day is dedicated to Maa Lalita

9. Bhavani / Mookambika – Ninth day is dedicated to Maa Bhavani and Mookambika

Paush Navratri usually refers to the Shakambhari (Banada Ashtami) Navratri and/or a quieter Gupt Navratri observed in the lunar month of Paush (Dec–Jan), dedicated to Goddess Durga/Shakambhari as Shakti and Annapoorneshwari.​

What Paush Navratri is

• Traditional lists mention Paush Navratri as nine days of Shakti worship in the month of Paush, alongside the more famous Chaitra and Ashvin Navratris.​

• In popular usage today, Paush Navratri is largely identified with Shakambhari Navratri, which honours Devi Shakambhari, the vegetable‑and‑harvest form of the Goddess who ended a terrible famine.​

Shakambhari (Paush) Navratri

• Shakambhari Navratri begins on Paush Shukla Ashtami (Banada/Banada Ashtami) and ends on Paush Purnima, generally spanning about eight days, though due to tithi adjustments it can be seven or nine.​

• The final day, Paush Purnima, is observed as Shakambhari Purnima or Shakambhari Jayanti, marking the incarnation of the Goddess and concluding the vrata.​

Paush Navratri 2025–26 (Shakambhari)

• For the current Paush season, Shakambhari Navratri in 2025–26 will run approximately from 28 December 2025 (Paush Shukla Ashtami/Banada Ashtami) to 3 January 2026 (Paush Purnima/Shakambhari Jayanti), with Ashtami tithi from 27 December 1:09 pm to 28 December 11:59 am (panchang timings, India).​

• These dates are generally applicable for North Indian panchang; for exact local Hyderabad muhurta you would align Paush Shukla Ashtami–Purnima from your regional panchang or drik‑based calculation.​

Puja and sadhana focus

• Devotees worship Goddess Shakambhari/Durga with early‑morning snan, clean clothes, kalash‑sthapana or simple ghata, deepa, red chunri, and mantra‑japa, often observing full or partial fast on these days.​

• A special feature is offering vegetables, fruits, grains and greens to the Goddess, meditating on her as provider of anna‑purna and kshema; many also use this period for more inward Gupt‑type Durga sadhana and tantra‑oriented upasana, done quietly without outer show.​