Navratri to Chhath: your 2026 festival calendar, and when to book travel home
Navratri begins on 11 October, Dussehra is on 20 October and Diwali falls on 8 November. Travellers should treat Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath as separate trips.
The festive season starts in earnest next weekend. Here are the key dates for October and November 2026, and some advice on booking travel.
October
- Saturday 10 October: Mahalaya / Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the end of Pitru Paksha.
- Sunday 11 October: Shardiya Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana).
- Saturday 17 October: Saraswati Puja.
- Monday 19 October: Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami.
- Tuesday 20 October: Vijayadashami / Dussehra.
- Sunday 25 October: Sharad Purnima / Kojagara Puja.
- Monday 26 October: Valmiki Jayanti.
- Thursday 29 October: Karwa Chauth.
November
- Friday 6 November: Dhanteras.
- Sunday 8 November: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja).
- 10-11 November: Bhai Dooj.
- 13-16 November: Chhath Puja, with the main evening offering on Sunday 15 November.
Dates for some festivals vary slightly by region and by the panchang you follow, so check with your local temple or family priest for puja timings.
Booking travel home
- Plan separate trips. Dussehra and Diwali are almost three weeks apart this year. Treating October and November as one long festive period is the most expensive mistake.
- Book the return when you book the outbound. Return seats run out faster than seats out of the big cities.
- Check a day either side. Moving your travel by a single day often avoids peak fares.
- Use the quiet window. 28 October to 3 November, between the Dussehra rush and the Diwali rush, usually has better fares.
- Going east for Diwali and Chhath? They are a week apart, so one longer trip may be cheaper than two.
Sources: The Economic Times via inkl, Happyfares festive travel guide.
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