Sharada Navarathri Mahotsavam 2026 & Vijaya Dasami

Sunday, October 11 – Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Sharada Navarathri is a sacred ten-day celebration honoring the Divine Mother in her manifestations as Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswathi. Each form represents an essential stage of spiritual growth: the removal of negativity, the cultivation of inner and outer abundance, and the awakening of wisdom and knowledge.

Sri Ganesha Temple Plano warmly invites devotees to participate in Sharada Navarathri Mahotsavam 2026, beginning Sunday, October 11, and concluding with Vijaya Dasami on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

The ten-day celebration will feature daily special Homams, Sri Durga Abhishekam, Lalitha Sahasranama Archana, special evening Archanas, Aarathi, and Prasadam. Major observances include Kanya & Kumari Puja, Chandi Homam, Ayudha Puja, and Samuhika Vidyarambham.

The Spiritual Significance of Navarathri

The word Navarathri means "nine nights." These sacred nights are devoted to worshipping Devi, the Divine Feminine power that creates, sustains, protects, and transforms the universe.

Navarathri also represents an inward spiritual journey. Devotees pray for the strength to overcome fear, anger, pride, attachment, confusion, and other tendencies that disturb inner peace. As these limitations are gradually removed, the mind becomes ready to receive prosperity, wisdom, and divine grace.

The festival culminates with Vijaya Dasami, the Day of Victory, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and dharma over negativity.

Worship of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi

The progression of Navarathri is traditionally understood through the worship of three principal manifestations of the Divine Mother.

Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga represents strength, courage, protection, and the power to overcome negativity. Her worship helps devotees confront inner limitations and move forward with faith and determination.

Goddess Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi represents prosperity, harmony, compassion, and spiritual abundance. Her blessings remind devotees that true prosperity includes peace, generosity, good character, and gratitude—not material wealth alone.

Goddess Saraswathi

Goddess Saraswathi represents knowledge, wisdom, music, learning, and the arts. Her worship prepares the mind to receive clarity, creativity, discipline, and spiritual understanding.

Together, these three forms guide devotees through purification, growth, and illumination.

Daily Navarathri Worship

The following worship will generally be conducted each day:

• 9:00 AM: Navarathri Special Homam
• 10:00 AM: Sri Durga Abhishekam
• 11:00 AM: Lalitha Sahasranama Archana
• 12:00 PM: Aarathi
• 7:30 PM: Special Archana
• 7:45 PM: Aarathi and Prasadam

Timings may vary based on the special pujas scheduled for each day.

Ten Days of Special Homams and Pujas

Day 1 — Sunday, October 11

8:30 AM: Anugna, Kalasha Sthapana and Puja
9:00 AM: Sri Durga Suktha Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Durga Special Archana

The Mahotsavam begins with the ceremonial installation of the sacred Kalasha and prayers seeking divine permission and blessings for the ten-day worship.

Day 2 — Monday, October 12

9:00 AM: Sri Bhu Suktha Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Durga Special Archana

The Bhu Suktha honors Mother Earth and invokes blessings for stability, nourishment, patience, and harmony with creation.

Day 3 — Tuesday, October 13

9:00 AM: Sri Neela Suktha Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Durga Special Archana

The Neela Suktha Homam invokes the grace of Neela Devi and seeks divine compassion, spiritual strength, and protection.

Day 4 — Wednesday, October 14

9:00 AM: Sri Suktha Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Lakshmi Special Archana

Sri Suktha Homam is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and is performed to invoke prosperity, harmony, abundance, and spiritual well-being.

Day 5 — Thursday, October 15

9:00 AM: Sri Swayamvara Parvathy Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Lakshmi Special Archana

Swayamvara Parvathy Homam invokes the blessings of Goddess Parvathy for marital harmony, loving relationships, family happiness, and the removal of obstacles affecting marriage.

Day 6 — Friday, October 16

9:00 AM: Sri Lakshmi Kubera Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Lakshmi Special Archana

Lakshmi Kubera Homam seeks the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for responsible prosperity, financial stability, generosity, and abundance.

Day 7 — Saturday, October 17

9:00 AM: Sri Saraswathi Suktha Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Saraswathi Special Archana

This sacred Homam invokes Goddess Saraswathi's blessings for knowledge, concentration, education, music, creativity, and spiritual wisdom.

Day 8 — Sunday, October 18: Durga Ashtami

9:00 AM: Sri Bhagya Suktha Homam
4:00 PM: Kanya & Kumari Puja
5:00 PM: Chandi Homam
7:30 PM: Sri Saraswathi Special Archana

Durga Ashtami is one of the most powerful days of Navarathri. Young girls ages 2–9 will be honored as embodiments of the Divine Mother during Kanya & Kumari Puja. The evening's Chandi Homam invokes Goddess Chandi for courage, protection, purification, and the removal of obstacles and negative influences.

Day 9 — Monday, October 19: Maha Navami

9:00 AM: Sri Gayathri Devi Homam
7:00 PM: Ayudha Puja
7:30 PM: Sri Saraswathi Special Archana

On Maha Navami, devotees honor the books, instruments, tools, devices, and vehicle keys that support their education, livelihood, creativity, and daily responsibilities.

Day 10 — Tuesday, October 20: Vijaya Dasami

9:00 AM: Sri Medha Suktha Homam
7:00 PM: Samuhika Vidyarambham, followed by Saraswathi Archana and Deeparadhana

Vijaya Dasami represents the victory of knowledge over ignorance and is considered one of the most auspicious days to begin education, music, dance, spiritual study, or another meaningful pursuit.

Navarathri Sponsorship Opportunities

Devotees may support the ten-day Mahotsavam through the following sacred sponsorships.

Grand Sponsorships

• Maha Yajaman: $1,501
• Yajaman: $1,001
• Garlands for all days: $501

Special Puja Sponsorships

• Chandi Homam sponsor: $301
• Ayudha Puja: $31
• Kanya & Kumari Puja: $31

Daily Special Offerings

• All-day sponsor: $301
• Mahaprasadam: $251
• Special Homam: $201
• Sri Durga Saree: $151
• Sri Durga Abhishekam: $51
• Lalitha Sahasranama Archana: $51
• Daily Special Archana: $31

Sponsoring a puja, Homam, garland, sacred garment, or Prasadam is a meaningful way to express gratitude, support the temple's worship, and pray for the well-being of one's family. Samuhika Vidyarambham is registered separately for $31.

Event Details

Dates: Sunday, October 11 – Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Location: Sri Ganesha Temple, 6508 K Avenue, Plano, TX 75074
For more information: 972-943-9543

Join us for ten sacred days of prayer, worship, Homams, and special observances. May Goddess Durga bless devotees with courage and protection, Goddess Lakshmi with prosperity and harmony, and Goddess Saraswathi with knowledge and wisdom.