Kanjak 2026 and Navratri 2026- Find your complete guide to all the dates throughout the year, Significance, Puja Vidhi, कन्या पूजन and the Magnitude of Emotions related to it

Navratri 2026 or Kanjak 2026 (कंजक 2026) the heart and soul of which is basically “nine nights” is one of the biggest observances in India not only in the magnitude of its celebration, but also in terms of the observance duration and the faith and belief of the devotees.

Kanjak 2026 is a symbolic representation of the divine feminine power or Devi Shakti. In a year, there are multiple observances of Navratri some are celebrated with fasting, some by worship and Puja, some by magnanimous celebrations of dance and pandals and some just by spiritual practitioners, but the heart of it all lies Maa Durga.

Why Navratri 2026 & Kanjak 2026 are Important

The main crux and gist of Navratri is about celebrating the inner power or the Shakti Within oneself. It is bowing to the divine feminine energy that gives birth, protects, nourishes, flourishes and brings the divine change. These 9 days are observed by fasting, worship and prayer, customs and rituals, followers asking for ashirwaad and physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of them and their loved ones.

Kanjak or Kanya Pujan is one of the most significant rituals of this 9 day observance as on this occasion small, young girls who do not have negative emotions and negativity in them, untouched by worldly desires are like living avatars or forms of Maa Durga. On this Day of Kanjak 2026, these 8 or 9 young girls are worshipped in the same way we worship Maa Durga. Offering them food and gifts symbolizes respect for purity and divine energy.

Navratri 2026 or Kanjak 2026 observances in a year

Navratri actually occurs 4 times in a year but two out of the year of them are widely celebrated. Here’s a simple breakdown a:

1. Chaitra Navratri (March–April)
2. Ashadha Gupt Navratri (June–July)
3. Sharadiya (Shardiya) Navratri (September–October)
4. Magh Gupt Navratri (January–February

Magh Navratri 2026 or Gupt Navratri 2026 (January 19–27, 2026)

Magh Navratri is a Gupt Navtari and is not celebrated in a grand manner. The dates for Magh Navratri fall from 19th January, 2026 to 27th January, 2026 which is the Shukla Paksha of Magh month as per Hindu Calendar.

Significance:
This period of Magh Navratri is very sacred and spiritually powerful as this is the best time for intense spiritual sadhana and meditation and inner purification. In contrast to social celebrations, Magh Gupt Navratri is observed in a peaceful and silent way where mantra recitation, worship, meditation and devotion are in the forefront. It’s said to deepen one’s spiritual root energy and inner connection to the Goddess.

Rituals & Puja Vidhi:

• Begin each day with a clean altar, fresh flowers and a lit diya or small earthen lamp.
• Chant Devi mantras daily, especially the Navarna mantra or Durga Saptashati verses.
• Get up early, avoid heavy, oil and spicy food and practice total abstinence from non-vegetarian food for 9 days.
• Unlike the public Navratris, the focus here is inner purity and spiritual discipline.

Kanjak 2026/ Kanya Pujan:
During Magh Gupt Navratri, kanjak can be done on the Ashtami (26 January) or Navami (27 January) tithi, which are noted as highly auspicious days for Kanya Pujan,

Chaitra Navratri (March 19–27, 2026)

Chaiti Navratri 2026 is like a information that spring is here and is the start of the New Hindu Lunar year.

Dates of Chaiti Navratri 2026

• March 19, 2026 (Thursday): Ghatasthapana & Shailputri Puja
• March 20, 2026 (Friday): Maa Brahmacharini Puja
• March 21, 2026 (Saturday): Maa Chandraghanta Puja
• March 22, 2026 (Sunday): Maa Kushmanda Puja
• March 23, 2026 (Monday): Maa Skandamata Puja
• March 24, 2026 (Tuesday): Maa Katyayani Puja
• March 25, 2026 (Wednesday): Maa Kalaratri Puja
• March 26, 2026 (Thursday): Maa Mahagauri Puja & Kanya Pujan (Kanjak 2026); RamNavami 2026
• March 27, 2026 (Friday): Siddhidatri & Vrat Parana (Kanjak 2026 may also be observed on this day if you do Kanya Pujan on Navami)

Importance:
Chaitra Navratri is a representation of the victory of divine purity and renewal, of good over evil, of truth over deceit. It is said that doing this Navratri brings peace, auspicious beginnings, and divine protection for the year ahead.

Puja Vidhi:

1. Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana): Place a Kalash full of water and decorate it with mango leaves and a coconut on top — symbolizing the presence of Goddess Durga.
2. Daily Worship: Offer flowers, incense, fruits and light to the respective Navadurga each day as per mentioned above.
3. Fasting (Vrat): Many observe strict fasting or a sattvik (pure vegetarian) diet.
4. Recite Durga Stuti or Navarna Mantra during morning and evening prayers.

Kanjak 2026 / Kanya Pujan:
On Ashtami (March 26) or Navami (March 27) invite eight or nine young girls (aged 2–10) to your home. Wash their feet, offer prasad (halwa, poori, chana), flowers and gifts, red chunri and pray to them as forms of Maa Durga.

Ashadha Gupt Navratri (15 July 2026- 23 July 2026)

• 15 July 2026 (Wednesday) — Pratipada / Day 1 (Ghatasthapana)
• 23 July 2026 (Thursday) — Navami / Day 9

Significance:

This Gupt Navratri (Ashadha Navratri) is less publicly observed compared with Chaitra or Sharadiya Navratri but holds special significance for devotional practices, mantra sadhana and spiritual disciplines performed by worshippers seeking deeper inner blessings of the Goddess.

Sharadiya Navratri 2026 or Ashwin Navratri (October 11–20, 2026)

This is the most widely celebrated Navratri in India, which concludes with Vijayadashami or Dussehra, a symbol of good over evil.

Key Dates:

• October 11, 2026 (Sunday): Ghatasthapana & Shailputri Puja
• October 12, 2026 (Monday): Maa Brahmacharini Puja
• October 13, 2026 (Tuesday): Maa Chandraghanta Puja
• October 14, 2026 (Wednesday): Maa Kushmanda Puja
• October 15, 2026 (Thursday): Maa Skandamata Puja
• October 16, 2026 (Friday): Maa Katyayani Puja
• October 17, 2026 (Saturday): Maa Kalaratri Puja
• October 18, 2026 (Sunday): Maa Mahagauri Puja
• October 19, 2026 (Monday): Maha Ashtami & Sandhi Puja (Kanjak 2026)
• October 20, 2026 (Tuesday): Maha Navami (Kanjak 2026), Ayudha Puja & Vijayadashami

Significance:
Sharadiya Navratri signifies Maa Durga’s triumph over buffalo demon Mahishasura. The concluding day is Vijayadashami, marks the triumph of good over evil which is an eternal saga.

Puja Vidhi:

1. Kalash Peeth Stuti & Invocation: Begin with Ganesh Vandana, invoke the Navadurga through the Kalash.
2. Daily Offerings, Pushpanjali & Aarti: Decorate the altar with flowers, sandalwood and offer bhog, flowers and sweets.
3. Sandhi Puja: Perform at the junction of Ashtami and Navami — considered very powerful.
4. Ayudha Puja (October 20): Worship tools, instruments, books and vehicles, recognizing divine energy in all work.

Kanjak 2026/ Kanya Pujan:
Kanjak 2026 is widely observed on Maha Ashtami (October 19) in Sharadiya Navratri , while some may observe Kanjak 2026 on MahaNavami as per their belief.

Final Thoughts

Kanjak 2026 and Navaratri gives everyone a chance to worship the supreme feminine power and understand the magnitude not just of her Shakti but also of her Matritva.

Be it Magh Gupt Navratri, or the festive Chaiti Navratri and Sharadiya Navratri. or the Asadd Gupt Navratri, the way of observing it does not matter, what matters is your emotion, devotion, faith, and respect for the divinity.