Magh Gupt Navratri 2026 started on January 19 and will continue until January 28. Devotees perform secret worship of Maa Durga and her ten Mahavidyas during this period. The primary Ghatasthapana muhurat is from 7:14 AM to 10:46 AM.
Magh Gupt Navratri holds sacred significance in Hinduism as a period dedicated to spiritual practice. It is one of four Navratris, including Ashadha, Magha, Chaitra, and Sharadiya. In 2026, it commenced on the Shukla Paksha Pratipada tithi, starting at 1:21 AM on January 19 and ending at 2:14 AM on January 20.
The Ghatasthapana ritual began at 7:14 AM today and lasted until 10:46 AM. For those unable to perform it then, the Abhijit muhurat is from 12:11 PM to 12:53 PM. The puja procedure involves waking in Brahma Muhurat for a bath, wearing clean clothes, cleaning the worship area, and spreading a red or yellow cloth. Install an idol or picture of Maa Durga or her secret form, and set up a kalash filled with water, mango or ashok leaves, and a coconut. Invoke Lord Ganesha and take a vow, then offer roli, akshat, flowers, sindoor, chunari, and bhog. Light a ghee lamp, show dhoop, and chant Durga Saptashati, Chandi Path, or Beej Mantras.
Emphasis in Gupt Navratri is on mantra jap, sadhana, and meditation. Conclude with aarti and prayers for happiness, peace, power, and obstacle removal. Consume sattvic food and observe brahmacharya for nine days. It is believed that devoted practice yields spiritual benefits.
Linked to Tantra Vidya, sadhaks engage in Hatha Yoga, meditation, jap, tantra mantras, havan, and strict fasts during this time. Worship of Maa Durga's nine forms spans nine days and nights, leading to siddhi and spiritual power. Special puja is offered to the ten Mahavidyas: Maa Kali, Tara Devi, Tripur Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Chinnamasta, Tripur Bhairavi, Dhumravati, Baglamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala Devi.