Nine nights of the Goddess — Durga's nine forms, garba and dandiya, fasting and Durga Puja, culminating in Vijayadashami. Exact Navratri dates for Ottawa and Canada, computed for your timezone.
When: Sharad Navratri — Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami (September–October), the principal observance; Chaitra Navratri falls in March–April
Duration: Nine nights and ten days, ending with Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
Worship: The Navadurga — nine forms of Durga, one honoured each night; Saraswati and Lakshmi in the later triads
Traditions: Ghatasthapana, fasting, garba and dandiya raas, golu displays (South India), kanya puja, Durga Puja pandals (Bengal)
Culmination: Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami, then Vijayadashami — the victory of the Goddess over Mahishasura
What Navratri Celebrates
Navratri — "nine nights" — honours Shakti, the Divine Mother, in her nine forms. The Devi Mahatmya tells the central story: the buffalo demon Mahishasura, unconquerable by any god, is destroyed by Durga, born of the combined radiance of all the devas — the tradition's declaration that when powers unite in righteousness, no evil can stand. The nine nights are often understood as three triads: the first three nights to Durga, who removes what obstructs; the middle three to Lakshmi, who grants what nourishes; the final three to Saraswati, who bestows what illumines. The festival ends on the tenth day, Vijayadashami — victory day — which northern tradition also celebrates as Dussehra, Rama's defeat of Ravana.
The Nine Nights in Practice
Navratri opens with Ghatasthapana — installing the kalash that embodies the Goddess for the nine nights — at a specific muhurta on the first morning. Many observe a full or partial fast, taking only phalahar (fruit, milk, specific grains like kuttu and singhara). Each night honours one of the Navadurga, from Shailaputri on the first night to Siddhidatri on the ninth. Gujarat dances garba and dandiya raas around the lit deepgarbha; Tamil, Telugu and Kannada homes arrange golu — tiered displays of dolls and deities; Bengal builds up to the great Durga Puja days from Shashthi to Dashami. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami bring kanya puja, where young girls are honoured as the Goddess herself. The exact Ottawa dates for the key days are in the Festivals & Dates list on this page.
Navratri in Ottawa & Canada
Navratri's tithis are computed astronomically, so Ottawa's dates can shift by a day from India's — the dates on this page are calculated precisely for the Canadian timezone. Fasting works anywhere: kuttu flour, singhara, sabudana and rock salt are available at Ottawa's Indian grocery stores. Garba and dandiya nights are organized by community associations in the Ottawa area each Sharad Navratri, and the city's mandirs hold nightly Durga aarti and Durga Ashtami programmes — see our Hindu temples in Ottawa guide and confirm each venue's schedule. A home observance needs only a kalash, a lamp kept lit, the Durga Chalisa or Ambe Gauri aarti each evening, and a simple fast kept with sincerity.
Each link opens our computed festival calendar with exact dates and timings for your city.
Questions
When does Navratri start this year in Ottawa?
The exact Ottawa start date — Ghatasthapana — and the dates of Durga Ashtami and Vijayadashami are shown with their next occurrence in the Festivals & Dates list on this page, computed for the Canadian timezone.
What can I eat during a Navratri fast?
Typical phalahar includes fruit, milk and dairy, sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat) and singhara (water chestnut) flours, potatoes, and rock salt (sendha namak) instead of table salt. Grains, onion and garlic are traditionally avoided. Practices vary by family — follow your own tradition.
Are there garba nights in Ottawa?
Yes — Ottawa-area community associations organize garba and dandiya events during Sharad Navratri, and local mandirs hold nightly aarti and Ashtami programmes. Dates vary each year, so check with the organizers and see our Hindu temples in Ottawa guide.
Source: Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana), Devi Bhagavata Purana. Regional versions may vary — this text follows the version most widely used in community worship.