The nine days from Pratipada to Navami of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra, Ashadh, Ashwin and Magha are called Navratri. Thus there are four Navratras in a Samvatsar, in which the Navratra of Chaitra is called ‘Basantik Navratra’ and Navratra of Ashwin is called ‘Sharadiya Navratra’. In these, special worship is done to the Aadi Shakti Bhagwati Durga. Basanti Pujo was the first Durga Puja that was initiated by King Surath, prior to the famous Sharadiya Durga Puja. Basanti Puja RitualsThe rituals of Basanti Puja are similar to those of Shardiya Durga Puja. The only difference is in the ‘Ghat’ (Kalash or earthern/metal pot) for ‘Bodhan’ (awakening Goddess Durga) is not used in Sashti puja because this puja is performed on time when it is meant to be done.
The legend in Markanda Puran states that King Surath had lost his kingdom and wandered in the forests where he met Samadhi Vaishya who also had lost kingdom.
In the jungle, they met Medha Muni who on request suggested them to perform Basanti Durga Puja to get back their lost kingdoms. King Surath and Samadhi Vaishya, thus, performed Basanti Puja and got back their kingdoms. This started the ritual of performing Basanti Durga Puja in Basant season or Chaitra Month.
Basanti Durga Puja Calendar
Date & Timings of Basantik (Chaitra) Durga Puja 2026
| Day | Date | Tithi | Rituals |
|---|---|---|---|
Ist | March 19, Thursday | Pratipada | Ghatasthapana, Chandra Darshana, Shailputri Puja. |
IInd | March 20, Friday | Dwitiya | Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja |
IIIrd | March 21, Saturday | Tritiya | Gauri Puja, Saubhagya Teej, Chandraghanta Puja |
| IVth | March 22, Sunday | Chaturthi | Vinayaka Chaturthi, Upang Lalita Vrat, Kushmanda Puja |
| Vth | March 23, Monday | Panchami | Naag Puja, Skanda Sashti, Skandamata Puja |
| VIth | March 24, Tuesday | Shasthi | Shashthi Puja Katyayani Puja |
| VIIth | March 25, Wednesday | Saptami | Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja |
| VIIIth | March 26, Thursday | Ashtami | Durga Ashtami, Maha Gauri Puja, Chaitra Sandhi Puja Muhurat 02:35 PM to 03:23 PM |
| IXth | March 27, Friday | Navami | Maha Navami Homa, Siddhidatri Puja |
| March 28, Saturday | Dashami | Ayudha Puja, Navratri Parana, Durga Visarjan, Vijayadashami. |
MeerapurDurgaPuja.com team takes care for all conditions and exceptions to find the best date/time to perform the Chaitra Navratri 2026 festival as well as Durga Puja 2026. In other words, we don’t treat above information as most accurate Muhurta for any other individual/community. Please make sure to consider all local factors like sunrise, sunset, midday, ascendant and last but not the least DST, if applicable.
