A calendar marker tied to a lunar or solar event. Local temple custom may differ from the civil listing. Navaratri is a festival or vrata marked on the Panchang. Local ācāra is primary. How the day is fixed: related tithi, nakṣatra, or saṅkramaṇa from local sunrise. Keep in mind: Tithi and nakshatra end times in the pañcāṅga follow the sunrise of each town. So the day can come one day earlier or later depending on where you live. This year: The 2026 date shown here is worked out from sunrise at the place you chose, so in another city the same day can fall a day earlier or later. Worship and rites: Worship or vrata per the calendar marker. Local temple custom may differ. Worth remembering: Where household practice differs, follow what the elders of your house have always kept. Every family and every town carries its own kulācāra and deśācāra for this day. The broad form of worship is shared, yet the details of offerings, timings and fasting differ from house to house. Knowing what the śāstra says and walking in the footsteps of your own elders together bring the full merit of the day.
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