October 11–20, 2026
Hindu Temple of North Texas – Sri Ganesha Temple warmly invites devotees and families to participate in Sharada Navarathri Mahotsavam 2026, a ten-day celebration of Divine Shakti from Sunday, October 11 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Sharada Navarathri is the most widely celebrated of the four seasonal Navarathris. During these nine sacred nights and ten days, devotees worship the Divine Mother in Her many manifestations and seek Her blessings for strength, protection, prosperity, knowledge and spiritual wisdom.
This year's Mahotsavam will bring the community together for daily Vishesha Homams, Sri Durga Abhishekam, Lalitha Sahasranama Archana, Chandi Parayanam, special pujas, devotional music and cultural presentations. The celebration will culminate with Durga Ashtami, Chandi Homam, Kanya and Kumari Puja, Mahanavami, Saraswathy Puja, Ayudha Puja, Vijaya Dasami and Vidyaarambham.
Daily Worship During Navarathri
Each day of Sharada Navarathri will begin with a different sacred Homam dedicated to a divine manifestation or blessing of the Divine Mother.
The recurring daily schedule includes:
- 9:00 AM – Daily Vishesha Homam
- 10:00 AM – Sri Durga Abhishekam
- 11:00 AM – Lalitha Sahasranama Archana
- Chandi Parayanam
- 7:30 PM – Daily Special Archana
Timings may vary on days with major special pujas. Devotees are encouraged to refer to the temple's final daily schedule for any program adjustments.
Ten Days and Ten Vishesha Homams
The sacred fire of a Homam represents divine light, purification and transformation. During each Homam, prayers and offerings are made into the consecrated fire while sacred mantras are chanted for the well-being of devotees and the entire community.
A different Vishesha Homam will be performed on each of the ten days:
Day 1 – Sunday, October 11
Sri Durga Suktha Homam
The Mahotsavam begins with prayers to Goddess Durga for divine protection, strength and the removal of obstacles and negativity.
Day 2 – Monday, October 12
Sri Bhu Suktha Homam
This Homam honors Bhu Devi, the Divine Mother in the form of Mother Earth, and seeks Her blessings for stability, nourishment, patience and prosperity.
Day 3 – Tuesday, October 13
Sri Neela Suktha Homam
This sacred Homam invokes the blessings of Neela Devi and represents divine compassion, grace and spiritual upliftment.
Day 4 – Wednesday, October 14
Sri Suktha Homam
Sri Suktha Homam is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and is performed to seek Her blessings for auspiciousness, abundance, harmony and well-being.
Day 5 – Thursday, October 15
Swastivara Parvathy Homam
This Homam invokes Goddess Parvathy and seeks Her blessings for the health, protection, harmony and welfare of families.
Day 6 – Friday, October 16
Sri Lakshmi Kubera Homam
Sri Lakshmi Kubera Homam is performed for prosperity, financial stability, abundance and the responsible preservation of divine blessings.
Day 7 – Saturday, October 17
Sri Saraswathi Suktha Homam
This Homam honors Goddess Saraswathy, the embodiment of knowledge, learning, wisdom, music and the arts. Students, teachers and artists may especially seek Her blessings.
Day 8 – Sunday, October 18
Sri Bhagya Suktha Homam
Sri Bhagya Suktha Homam seeks the Divine Mother's blessings for good fortune, auspicious opportunities, happiness and overall well-being.
Day 9 – Monday, October 19
Sri Gayathri Devi Homam
This Homam is dedicated to Goddess Gayathri, the embodiment of divine light and sacred knowledge. Devotees pray for clarity, wisdom and spiritual awakening.
Day 10 – Tuesday, October 20
Sri Medha Suktha Homam
The final Vishesha Homam seeks blessings for intelligence, memory, understanding and the ability to use knowledge wisely.
Chandi Parayanam: Invoking the Divine Mother Through Sacred Recitation
Chandi Parayanam is the devotional recitation of the Devi Mahatmyam, a sacred scripture glorifying the power, compassion and victories of the Divine Mother.
Its thirteen chapters describe the victories of Divine Shakti over powerful forces of negativity. Spiritually, these battles represent the struggle within every individual to overcome fear, anger, pride, attachment and ignorance.
Through Chandi Parayanam, devotees pray for protection, courage, inner purification and the triumph of dharma.
Chandi Parayanam will be an important part of the temple's Sharada Navarathri worship, leading toward the grand Chandi Homam on Durga Ashtami.
Durga Ashtami: Sunday, October 18
Durga Ashtami is one of the most sacred days of Navarathri and honors Goddess Durga's supreme strength and protection.
Sri Ganesha Temple's special Durga Ashtami observances will include:
- 4:00 PM – Kanya and Kumari Puja
- 5:00 PM – Chandi Homam
Kanya and Kumari Puja
During Kanya and Kumari Puja, young girls are worshipped as sacred manifestations of the Divine Mother.
The observance teaches devotees to recognize purity, innocence and Divine Shakti within every girl and woman. By honoring the Kumaris, devotees seek the blessings of the Divine Mother for their families and future generations.
Chandi Homam
Chandi Homam is one of the most powerful forms of worship offered to the Divine Mother during Navarathri.
Sacred mantras from all thirteen chapters of the Devi Mahatmyam are offered into the consecrated fire. Devotees traditionally participate in this Homam to seek divine protection, courage, the removal of obstacles and victory over negative influences.
The Chandi Homam represents the destruction of inner darkness and the awakening of divine strength within the devotee.
Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja: Monday, October 19
The ninth day of Navarathri is observed as Mahanavami and is closely associated with the worship of Goddess Saraswathy.
Books, musical instruments, tools and objects used for education or one's profession are placed before the Divine Mother and worshipped with gratitude.
Sri Ganesha Temple will conduct Ayudha Puja at 7:00 PM.
Ayudha Puja reminds us that the knowledge, talents, instruments and tools we use in daily life are divine blessings. Students, musicians, dancers, artists, professionals, business owners and families are invited to seek the blessings of the Divine Mother.
Vijaya Dasami and Vidyaarambham: Tuesday, October 20
The ten-day Mahotsavam will conclude with the sacred celebration of Vijaya Dasami, the Day of Victory.
Vijaya Dasami commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura and, in many traditions, the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It represents the triumph of dharma over adharma, light over darkness and divine wisdom over ignorance.
The temple's concluding observances will include:
- 11:00 AM – Vidyaarambham
- 7:30 PM – Vijaya Dasami Special Puja
Vidyaarambham
The word Vidyaarambham means "the beginning of knowledge."
On this auspicious day, young children may be formally introduced to letters and learning. Vijaya Dasami is also considered sacred for beginning music, dance, language studies, spiritual education and other disciplines.
Students and experienced practitioners alike may seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswathy before beginning a new stage of learning.
Nada Samarpanam and Kala Samarpanam
Sharada Navarathri is also a celebration of devotional music, dance and the sacred arts.
The temple will welcome participants from across the community to offer their talents before the Divine Mother through Nada Samarpanam and Kala Samarpanam.
Nada Samarpanam
- Weekdays: 6:00–7:30 PM
- Weekends: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Kala Samarpanam
- Weekends: 4:00–7:30 PM
These presentations provide musicians, dancers, teachers and students with an opportunity to offer their talents in devotion while allowing the community to experience the spiritual beauty of the sacred arts.
Program timings may vary when special Navarathri pujas are scheduled.
Navarathri Sponsorship Opportunities
Devotees may support the Mahotsavam and participate in its sacred observances through the following sponsorship opportunities:
Mahotsavam Sponsorships
- Maha Yajaman – $1,501
- Yajaman – $1,001
- Garlands for All Days – $501
- All Day Sponsor – $301
- Mahaprasadam – $251
Puja and Homam Sponsorships
- Chandi Homam – $301
- Daily Vishesha Homam – $201
- Sri Durga Saree – $151
- Chandi Parayanam – $51
- Sri Durga Abhishekam – $51
- Lalitha Sahasranama Archana – $51
- Daily Special Archana – $31
- Kanya and Kumari Puja – $31
- Ayudha Puja – $31
- Vidyaarambham – $31
Sponsorship allows devotees to support the sacred rituals, decorations, prasadam and other needs of the ten-day celebration while seeking the blessings of the Divine Mother for themselves and their families.
Join Us for Ten Sacred Days
Sharada Navarathri is a sacred opportunity to step away from daily distractions and spend time in prayer, reflection and community worship.
Whether participating in a Homam, attending Abhishekam, joining the Archana, listening to Chandi Parayanam, supporting the cultural presentations or bringing children for Vidyaarambham, every devotee can experience the grace of the Divine Mother during these ten sacred days.
Hindu Temple of North Texas – Sri Ganesha Temple warmly invites everyone to join Sharada Navarathri Mahotsavam 2026 from October 11 through October 20.
Let us worship together and seek the blessings of the Divine Mother for strength, prosperity, knowledge, harmony and the well-being of all.
May Goddess Durga bless us with strength and protection, Goddess Lakshmi bless us with prosperity and abundance, and Goddess Saraswathy bless us with knowledge and wisdom.
