Temples to Visit During Chaitra Navratri 2026
Chaitra Navratri is an important Hindu festival dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine powerful forms. The festival lasts for nine days and is observed with prayers, fasting, and temple visits across India. Chaitra Navratri also marks the start of the Hindu New Year, making it spiritually meaningful for devotees.
In 2026, Chaitra Navratri will begin on 19 March and will end on 27 March, with Ram Navami celebrated on the last day. Each day of Navratri is devoted to a different form of the Goddess, and many people choose this sacred time to visit famous Shakti temples to seek blessings for peace, strength, and good fortune.
Temples of the Mother Goddess celebrate special ceremonies with aarti and much devotion on each of these nine days. By visiting holy temples during Chaitra Navratri, people can receive the benefits of positive energy and spiritual progress; this may be an opportunity to experience the blessings of Maa Durga. The following is a compilation of the most popular temples in India to visit during Chaitra Navratri due to their spiritual significance and close association with Maa Durga.
Top 10 Temples to Visit in Chaitra Navratri
1. Tara Devi Temple, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)
The Tara Devi Temple, situated on a serene hilltop close to Shimla, is dedicated to the fierce yet loving form of Goddess Durga known as Maa Tara. It boasts a beautiful setting amongst pine trees as well as providing you with both spiritual peace as well as stunning scenic views.
According to devotees who come to pray during the Chaitra Navratri festival, praying at this temple will give you the inner strength that protects you.
| Timing | 07:00 Am- 06:30 Pm |
| Location | Shoghi-Bypass, Taradevi, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh-171010, India |
2. Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra (Himachal Pradesh)
Chamunda Devi Temple is one of the most revered Shakti temples in North India. It is associated with the victory of Goddess Durga over demons Chanda and Munda.
During Navratri, special aartis and Vedic chants create a powerful devotional atmosphere.
| Timing | 05:00 Am- 05:30 Pm |
| Location | Chamunda-Temple-Path, Padar, Himachal-Pradesh-176052 |
3. Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata (West Bengal)
Kalighat Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and holds immense spiritual importance. According to belief, the toes of Goddess Sati fell here.
The temple was closely associated with Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, adding to its spiritual authority.
| Timing | 24 Hour |
| Location | Kalighat Temple, 9 No. Bhagwati, Shankar-Ln, Kolkata, West Bengal-700026 |
4. Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
The Mansa Devi Temple is located on Haridwar’s highest mountain. This is a proven and miraculous temple of Maa. You can visit Mansa Devi temple with your family on Navratri. Special worship is done here on Navratri, and devotees come from far and wide for darshan.
| Timing | 05:00 AM to 09:00 PM |
| Location | Haridwar, Uttarakhand-249403 |
5. Jwala Devi Temple, Kangra (Himachal Pradesh)
Jwala Devi is located in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. This is the Siddha Peeth temple of Maa, and devotees from all over the country come here for darshan. Goddess Sati’s tongue had fallen in Jwala Devi, and at this place many fires have been coming out from inside the earth since the beginning of time. This fire never calms down. This Navratri you can go with your family to visit Maa.
It is considered a Siddha Peeth, and Navratri is the most powerful time for worship here.
| Timing | 05:00 AM to 09:00 PM |
| Location | Shaktinagar |
6. Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh)
The Naina Devi Temple is located in the beautiful Mallital valleys of Uttarakhand. It is said that at some point of time there was a meditation place of sages Atri, Pulastya, and Pulah. Devotees from far and wide come to the Naina Devi temple on the auspicious occasion of Navratri and offer special prayers to the mother.
During Chaitra Navratri, devotees gather here to seek blessings for wisdom, vision, and clarity in life.
| Timing | 06:00 Am to 10:00 Pm |
| Location | S8G4P+FM3, Naina-Devi, Himachal Pradesh-174310 |
7. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati (Assam)
Kamakhya Temple is situated on the top of Nilachal Hill in Assam. You can visit this temple on Navratri for darshan. Devotees from every corner of the country come here for worship and darshan of the mother.
It is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas and attracts pilgrims from across India during Navratri.
| Timing | 05:30 Am to 05:30 Pm |
| Location | Kamakhya, Guwahati, Assam-781010 |
8. Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra (Jammu & Kashmir)
This Navratri you can visit the Maa Vaishno Devi temple with your family. This temple is situated in the Trikut hills at an altitude of more than 15 thousand meters above sea level. There is a Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. Devotees from every corner of the country go to visit Vaishno Devi on Navratri.
| Timing | 24 Hours |
| Location | Bhavan, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir-182301 |
9. Jhandewalan Temple, Delhi
This Navratri you can visit the Jhandewalan temple located in Delhi with your family. An ancient temple is in Karol Bagh. This Siddhapeeth temple is more than 100 years old. There is an influx of devotees in the temple on Navratri.
| Timing | 06:00 AM – 09:30 PM |
| Location | Desh Bandhu Gupta-Rd, Block E, Jhandewalan Extension, Paharganj, New-Delhi, Delhi-110055 |
10. Kalkaji Temple, Delhi
This year you can visit Kalkaji Temple with your family. This famous temple of Maa Kali is in Delhi. Devotees from every corner of Delhi come to visit this temple during Navratri. This temple is 3 thousand years old. Mythological belief is that this temple has been here since the Mahabharata period. This temple is considered one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.
| Timing | 04:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Location | Ma-Anandmayee-Marg, NSIC-Estate, Block No-09, Kalkaji, New-Delhi, Delhi-110019 |
Important Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting Temples During Navratri
- Remove shoes and avoid carrying cameras inside.
- Dress modestly and cover your head when required.
- Avoid leather items such as belts or wallets.
- Maintain cleanliness and silence.
- Offer simple prasad, flowers, or coconuts.
- Respect local customs and temple rules.
FAQs
Chaitra Navratri in 2026 starts on 19 March and ends on 27 March, with Ram Navami celebrated on the final day.
Devotees usually worship Maa Shailputri on the first day and continue with one form of Durga each day, ending with Maa Siddhidatri on the ninth day.
Temples focus more on morning puja, Ghatasthapana, and Ram Navami rituals during Chaitra Navratri, while Sharad Navratri includes grand evening celebrations.
Devotees consider Shakti Peethas like Kamakhya, Kalighat, Jwala Devi, and Naina Devi especially powerful during Chaitra Navratri due to ancient traditions.
Devotees prefer early morning darshan during Chaitra Navratri because temples perform special pujas at sunrise, and crowds remain lighter.
Devotees usually offer flowers, coconut, fruits, red cloth, and simple sweets during Chaitra Navratri, depending on local temple customs.
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