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Timings (Hyderabad IST)

Muhurta Guidance

Navaratri timing for 2026: Ghatasthapana (the auspicious establishment of the Kalasha) should be done on October 11 during the first 3 praharas of the day (before noon, IST) for Hyderabad. Durgashtami falls on October 18. Maha Navami is October 19. Vijayadasami is October 20 — Vidyarambham and Banni Puja should be performed after sunrise. Check the panchangam below for exact timings.

Set up the Gollu (Bommala Koluvu) — an odd-numbered tiered display of dolls representing deities, mythological scenes, and household objects; the display is refreshed daily

Invite Devi into the home: establish a Kalasha (sacred water pot) representing the goddess on the first day (Pratipada)

Perform daily Devi puja with flowers, kumkum, and turmeric; light a lamp that burns continuously for nine nights

Day 1–3: Worship Durga (red colour) — for tamas/inertia removal

Day 4–6: Worship Lakshmi (green/yellow colour) — for abundance and wealth

Day 7–9: Worship Saraswati (white/orange colour) — for knowledge and wisdom

On Ashtami (8th day): Perform Durgashtami puja with Kumkum Archana — the most powerful puja night

On Navami (9th day): Maha Navami — Ayudha Puja — bless all tools, vehicles, books and instruments used in livelihood

On Vijayadasami (10th day): Vidyarambham — begin new studies or skills; Banni tree worship; exchange of banni leaves as gold

Bathukamma (Telangana) — women construct elaborate flower arrangements (Bathukamma) using seasonal flowers like Tangedu, Gunugu, and Banti, and float them in water bodies on the last day singing devotional songs in praise of Goddess Gauri

Bommala Koluvu (Gollu) — the tradition of displaying clay, wooden, and porcelain dolls in ascending tiers is most elaborate in coastal Andhra; families visit each other's displays throughout the nine nights

Saraswati Puja on Navami — all books, instruments, tools, and vehicles are placed before the goddess for blessings; students do not study this day (Vidya avantaramu)

Vidyarambham on Vijayadasami — children are initiated into their first lessons in writing (Harikatha); adults begin learning new instruments, skills, or languages; "Ezhuthu Initiation" ceremonies are held at temples

Ayudha Puja — farmers, mechanics, drivers, and craftspeople clean and worship their tools and vehicles on Navami evening; newly blessed tools are the first thing used on Vijayadasami morning

Sindhuram / Kunkuma distribution — women exchange sindhuram (vermilion) and betel leaves as a gesture of blessing from one married woman to another throughout Navaratri

Sundal

boiled chickpeas, black-eyed peas, or horse gram seasoned with coconut and mustard, the quintessential Navaratri naivedyam

Vada

black gram lentil fritters offered to Devi during puja

Sweet Pongal

jaggery rice pudding prepared on Ashtami and Navami

Navaratri Fasting foods

fruits, sabudana khichdi, and milk-based sweets for those observing fasts

Kudumulu (Modak)

steamed rice-jaggery dumplings offered to Devi

Chakara Pongal

sweet rice offering made on Vijayadasami