Navratri does not have a single historical “start year” like a modern holiday; it is an ancient Hindu festival whose mythological origins go back to the story of Goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasura, described in texts compiled around the 5th–6th century CE, but the tradition itself is older in oral and ritual form.

Because most people who ask “when did Navratri start?” actually mean “when does Navratri start this year,” here are the practical current details:

When Navratri starts each year

Navratri is based on the Hindu lunar calendar, so the start date shifts every year in the Gregorian (English) calendar.

  • The most popular one, Sharad Navratri , begins on the first day (pratipada) of the bright half of the lunar month of Ashvin , usually in September–October.
  • Another major one, Chaitra Navratri , starts on the first day of the month of Chaitra , usually in March–April , and often coincides with the Hindu New Year in some regional calendars.

Example recent and upcoming start dates

  • In many almanacs, Sharad Navratri 2025 is listed as starting on 22 September 2025 (with Dussehra/Vijayadashami on 2 October 2025).
  • For 2026 and beyond, local panchang (Hindu calendar) sites give the exact Ghatasthapana (Kalash sthapana) time and date based on your city, because it depends on sunrise and tithi (lunar day).

If you tell me which Navratri you mean (Sharad or Chaitra) and your city/country, I can narrow down the exact start date for the relevant year.