Best Places to Visit During Navratri 2026: 22 Famous Temples, Pilgrimage Places & Temple Tour Plans

Last updated: 5 October 2026  |  By: Your Travel Partner

There is a moment every pilgrim knows. You have stood in the queue for two hours, the bells are getting louder, someone ahead begins to chant "Jai Mata Di", and then the curtain of flowers parts and you are in front of the Goddess for a few seconds. During Navratri, that moment is repeated lakhs of times a day, on hilltops in the Himalayas, on the banks of the Ganga, in the forests of Bastar and on the coast of the south.

This guide brings together the best places to visit during Navratri 2026. It is written for people who want darshan, not just sightseeing, so it focuses on temples and pilgrimage towns, tells you plainly what each place is known for and how to reach it, and ends with ready-made temple tour plans.

Quick Answer

Navratri 2026 is from Sunday, 11 October to Monday, 19 October, with Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October. The best places to visit during Navratri are the great Devi temples: Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir, Maa Vindhyavasini at Vindhyachal, Ambaji and Pavagadh in Gujarat, Kamakhya in Assam, Kalighat in Kolkata, Chamundeshwari in Mysuru, Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada, Jwala Ji in Himachal Pradesh and Maa Sharda at Maihar. For a trip that also includes the story of Shri Ram, the Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Vindhyachal and Varanasi circuit in Uttar Pradesh is one of the most rewarding.

The list below covers the major Navratri places to visit in India and the Navratri famous temples in India, with honest notes on crowds and access.

For muhurat and the day-wise calendar, see Navratri 2026: dates, Ghatasthapana muhurat and 9-day calendar.

Table of Contents

1. All 22 Places at a Glance
2. North India: Himalayan Shrines and Delhi
3. Uttar Pradesh: The Ramayana and Shakti Circuit
4. West India: Gujarat and Maharashtra
5. Central India
6. East and North-East India
7. South India
8. Which Place Is Right for You?
9. 6 Ready Navratri Temple Tour Plans
10. Crowd Calendar: Which Day to Go
11. Planning Checklist
12. Darshan Etiquette
13. Plan Your Trip With Your Travel Partner
14. Frequently Asked Questions

All 22 Places at a Glance

If you are short of time, start here. This table lists the Navratri places to visit in India covered in this guide, region by region.

North India: Himalayan Shrines and Delhi

For many families, the first names that come to mind among Navratri famous temples in India are the mountain shrines of the north.

1. Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra (Jammu and Kashmir)

The holy cave of Mata Vaishno Devi lies on Trikuta Mountain in Reasi district, at a height of about 5,200 feet. Inside, the Goddess is worshipped as three natural rock forms, called pindis, representing Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. The shrine receives more than 80 lakh pilgrims a year, and Navratri is one of its busiest seasons, when the route and the town of Katra are specially decorated.

• The journey: a 12 km trek from Katra to the Bhawan. Ponies, palanquins, battery vehicles for seniors and the differently abled, and helicopter services are available. A ropeway connects the Bhawan to the Bhairon Temple.
• How to reach: Katra has its own railway station. The nearest airport is Jammu.
• Good to know: yatra registration is compulsory. Use only the Shrine Board's official website, maavaishnodevi.org, for registration, helicopter and accommodation bookings.

2. Jwala Ji and the Himachal Devi Circuit (Himachal Pradesh)

At Jwala Ji in Kangra district there is no idol. The Goddess is worshipped in the form of natural flames that burn from the rock. It is counted among the Shakti Peeths and draws very large crowds in Navratri. What makes Himachal special among Navratri pilgrimage places is that five major Devi temples lie within a few hours of one another:

How to reach: by road from Chandigarh, Pathankot or Una. The nearest airport is Kangra (Gaggal).

3. Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi and Maya Devi, Haridwar (Uttarakhand)

Haridwar has three Siddh Peeths, temples where wishes are believed to be fulfilled. Mansa Devi stands on Bilwa Parvat in the Shivalik hills and can be reached on foot or by a ropeway. Devotees tie a thread on the tree there when they make a wish and return to untie it when it is granted. Chandi Devi stands on the hill across the Ganga, and Maya Devi is in the town. Add the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri and you have a complete Navratri day.

How to reach: Haridwar is a major railway station. The nearest airport is Dehradun.

4. Kalkaji, Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur Temples (Delhi)

You do not have to leave the capital to feel the festival. Kalkaji Mandir, Jhandewalan Mandir and the Chhatarpur temple complex see long queues through the nine days. In the evenings the city turns to Ramlila, and on Dussehra to Ravan Dahan. Delhi is also the easiest starting point for several of the Navratri religious places in India listed here.

Uttar Pradesh: The Ramayana and Shakti Circuit

Eastern Uttar Pradesh offers something no other region does: Shakti Peeths, the Ganga, and the birthplace of Shri Ram within a single road trip. If you are looking for the best places to visit during Navratri in one compact circuit, this is it.

5. Maa Vindhyavasini, Vindhyachal

Vindhyachal, in Mirzapur district on the bank of the Ganga, is one of the most revered Siddh Peeths. Maa Vindhyavasini is worshipped here as the Goddess who took form to destroy Mahishasura. Very large gatherings are held in both the Chaitra and Ashwin Navratris.

• Do not miss: the Trikon Parikrama, a circuit of three temples: Maa Vindhyavasini, Kali Khoh (a cave temple of Maha Kali) and Ashtabhuja (on a hillock).
• How to reach: about 65 km from Varanasi and 85 km from Prayagraj. Vindhyachal has a railway station, and Mirzapur is the main railhead.
• Tip: start before sunrise. By mid-morning in Navratri the queue is several hours long.

6. Ayodhya

Navratri in Ayodhya joins two streams of devotion. There is darshan of Ram Lalla at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, and there is the worship of the Goddess at Badi Devkali Temple, revered as the kuldevi of Shri Ram's family, and at Chhoti Devkali Temple. Ramlila is performed through the nine nights, and Dussehra is celebrated in the city where the Ramayana begins.

• Also see: Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and the evening Saryu Aarti.
• How to reach: Ayodhya Dham Junction and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport.
• Good to know: Ram Mandir darshan is free. Sugam Darshan and Aarti passes are also free on the official Trust portal, online.srjbtkshetra.org.

7. Varanasi

Kashi is the city of Lord Shiva, and it is equally a city of the Goddess. Durga Kund Temple, with its red spire beside a tank, is the centre of Navratri worship. Vishalakshi Temple near Kashi Vishwanath is counted among the Shakti Peeths, and Annapurna Temple honours the Goddess as the giver of food. The Bengali neighbourhoods host Durga Puja pandals, and across the river the month-long Ramlila of Ramnagar is in progress.

How to reach: Varanasi Junction and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.

8. Prayagraj

Near the Sangam stands Alopi Devi Temple, a Shakti Peeth where there is no idol and devotees worship a wooden cradle. Lalita Devi Temple is another important shrine of the city. A holy dip at the Sangam followed by Devi darshan makes Prayagraj a natural stop between Ayodhya and Varanasi.

9. Devipatan, Tulsipur

Devipatan Temple in Balrampur district, close to the Nepal border, is counted among the Shakti Peeths and is known for its large Navratri fair. It is less crowded with outside tourists than the bigger names, which makes it one of the quieter Navratri pilgrimage places in the north.

West India: Gujarat and Maharashtra

The west is where the festival is loudest and most colourful, and it also holds some of the most important Navratri religious places in India.

10. Ambaji (Gujarat)

Ambaji, in Banaskantha district near the Rajasthan border, is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. Its sanctum has no idol. The Goddess is represented through a sacred yantra, and the adornment is arranged so that she appears in a different form at different times. Gabbar Hill nearby is regarded as the original seat of the Goddess.

How to reach: about 20 km from Abu Road railway station, 45 km from Mount Abu and 185 km from Ahmedabad.

11. Mahakali Temple, Pavagadh (Gujarat)

The temple of Mahakali stands at the summit of Pavagadh Hill in Panchmahal district, inside the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is counted among the Shakti Peeths and draws large crowds in Navratri. You can go up by ropeway or walk the forest path of about 5 km.

How to reach: by road from Vadodara, which has the nearest major railway station and airport.

12. Ahmedabad and Vadodara (Gujarat)

No list of famous Navratri destinations in India is complete without the Garba of Gujarat, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. The state-run Vibrant Navratri Festival at GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad runs from 11 to 20 October 2026 with a nightly Maha Aarti. Vadodara is known for its very large Garba grounds. Combine a Garba night with Ambaji or Pavagadh for a trip that has both devotion and celebration.

13. Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) Temple, Kolhapur (Maharashtra)

The ancient temple of Mahalakshmi, known locally as Ambabai, is one of Maharashtra's "three and a half Shakti Peeths". The others are Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur, Renuka Devi at Mahur and Saptashrungi Devi near Nashik. Navratri is the temple's grandest festival of the year.

How to reach: Kolhapur has a railway station and an airport.

14. Tulja Bhavani Temple, Tuljapur (Maharashtra)

Tulja Bhavani is the kuldevi of many Maharashtrian families, including that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is said to have received his sword with her blessing. The Navratri festival here continues to Dussehra with processions of the Goddess.

How to reach: by road from Solapur, the nearest major railway station.

Central India

15. Maa Sharda Temple, Maihar (Madhya Pradesh)

Maa Sharda's temple stands on top of Trikut Hill in Maihar. Pilgrims climb more than 1,000 steps or take the ropeway. Local tradition connects the temple with the warriors Alha and Udal, who are believed to have been the first to worship the Goddess here. Navratri brings very large numbers of pilgrims.

How to reach: Maihar railway station lies on the line between Katni and Satna.

16. Danteshwari Temple, Dantewada (Chhattisgarh)

The 14th-century temple of Danteshwari Mai, about 80 km from Jagdalpur, is counted among the Shakti Peeths. It is the centre of Bastar Dussehra, a festival led by the tribal communities of the region in which the Goddess, not the story of Ravan, is at the heart of the celebration. For travellers who want something different from the usual Navratri places to visit in India, Bastar is unforgettable.

How to reach: by road from Jagdalpur or Raipur.

East and North-East India

17. Kalighat and Dakshineswar, Kolkata (West Bengal)

Kalighat Kali Temple is one of the best-known Shakti Peeths, and Dakshineswar Kali Temple on the bank of the Hooghly is associated with Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. In the last days of Navratri, the whole city celebrates Durga Puja, which UNESCO has inscribed as intangible cultural heritage. Thousands of pandals, each built around a theme, turn Kolkata into one of the most famous Navratri destinations in India.

Good to know: Durga Puja 2026 in Kolkata is listed from 16 to 21 October. Plan temple darshan in the morning and pandal visits at night.

18. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati (Assam)

On Nilachal Hill above the Brahmaputra stands Kamakhya, regarded as one of the oldest of the Shakti Peeths. There is no idol in the sanctum. Pilgrims descend narrow stone steps to a natural rock formation kept moist by an underground spring. Durga Puja is celebrated here every autumn during Navratri.

How to reach: Guwahati has a major railway station and an international airport.

South India

In the south the festival is called Dasara or Navaratri, and its temples are among the grandest Navratri famous temples in India.

19. Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysuru (Karnataka)

The temple of Chamundeshwari crowns Chamundi Hills, about 13 km from Mysuru. A stairway of a thousand steps leads up the hill, passing a great granite Nandi on the way. Mysuru Dasara, the state festival of Karnataka, is inaugurated here. In 2026 the inauguration is on 11 October, and the Jumbo Savari procession is on 21 October. During the festival the Goddess is adorned in a different form each day.

20. Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh)

The temple of Kanaka Durga stands on Indrakeeladri Hill on the bank of the Krishna river. During Dasara the Goddess is decorated in a different alankaram on each day, and the festival ends with Teppotsavam, the boat festival on the Krishna. The temple is only a short drive from Vijayawada railway station.

21. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai (Tamil Nadu)

One of the greatest temples of India celebrates Navaratri with a Kolu, a display of dolls and figures, and with the Goddess presented in a different form each evening. It is a calmer, more contemplative Navratri than in the north and west.

22. Mookambika Temple, Kollur (Karnataka)

In the forests of the Western Ghats in Udupi district, the temple of Mookambika is especially associated with learning. On Vijayadashami, families bring small children here for Vidyarambham, the ceremony in which a child writes the first letters.

Which Place Is Right for You?

With so many Navratri places to visit in India, the right choice depends on who is travelling and how much time you have. Use this table to narrow down the Navratri pilgrimage places that fit your family.

6 Ready Navratri Temple Tour Plans

A good Navratri temple tour keeps daily driving reasonable and puts the most important darshan in the early morning. These six plans cover the main Navratri pilgrimage places region by region.

Plan 1: Uttar Pradesh Ramayana and Shakti Circuit (4 days)

This is the Navratri temple tour we arrange most often. See the Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi tour guide for the route.

Plan 2: Vaishno Devi (3 days)

• Day 1: Reach Katra. Complete yatra registration. Rest.
• Day 2: Start the trek before dawn. Darshan at the Bhawan, then Bhairon Temple by ropeway. Return to Katra or stay overnight at the Bhawan.
• Day 3: Rest, local temples in Katra, departure.

Plan 3: Himachal Devi Circuit (4 days)

• Day 1: Chandigarh to Naina Devi, then to Chintpurni.
• Day 2: Chintpurni to Jwala Ji. Evening aarti.
• Day 3: Brajeshwari Devi in Kangra and Chamunda Devi. Night in Dharamshala or Kangra.
• Day 4: Return to Chandigarh or Pathankot.

Plan 4: Gujarat Shakti and Garba (3 days)

• Day 1: Ahmedabad. Evening at the Vibrant Navratri Festival.
• Day 2: Drive to Ambaji. Darshan and Gabbar Hill. Return or stay near Abu Road.
• Day 3: Vadodara and Pavagadh. Garba night in Vadodara.

Plan 5: Maharashtra Shakti Peeths (3 days)

• Day 1: Kolhapur. Mahalakshmi Temple.
• Day 2: Drive to Tuljapur via Solapur. Tulja Bhavani Temple.
• Day 3: Return via Pandharpur or continue to Mahur.

Plan 6: South India Dasara (4 days)

• Day 1: Mysuru. Chamundi Hills in the morning, illuminated palace in the evening.
• Day 2: Mysuru Dasara events.
• Day 3: Travel to Kollur. Mookambika Temple.
• Day 4: Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami, or onward to Udupi and Mangaluru.

Crowd Calendar: Which Day to Go

At almost all Navratri religious places in India, the crowd follows the same pattern through the nine days.

Three rules that work everywhere: go on a weekday, go before sunrise, and keep the most important temple for the first darshan of the day.

Planning Checklist

The Navratri famous temples in India receive several times their usual number of visitors in these nine days. A little preparation makes the difference between a calm darshan and a tiring one.

• Book transport first. Trains to pilgrimage towns fill early for Navratri. Book on irctc.co.in.
• Book stay near the temple. Roads close to major shrines are closed to vehicles during the rush.
• Use official websites only for darshan, registration and helicopter bookings. Avoid agents who promise "VIP darshan" for a fee.
• Carry original photo ID for every traveller.
• Travel light. Many temples do not allow bags, phones or leather items inside. Use the cloakroom.
• Wear easy footwear. You will remove it several times a day.
• If you are fasting, carry fruit, dry fruits and water, and tell your hotel in advance so a vrat meal can be arranged.
• For hill shrines, carry a light jacket and a raincoat. October evenings are cool.
• For elders, check ropeway, battery vehicle or palanquin options before you go.
• Keep buffer time. Do not plan a flight or train within a few hours of a darshan in Navratri.
• Fix a meeting point at every temple in case your group is separated.
• Keep small change for offerings, shoe stands and lockers.

Darshan Etiquette

These simple courtesies apply at all Navratri religious places in India, whichever region you visit.

• Dress modestly. Traditional clothing is appreciated everywhere and required at some temples.
• Follow the queue. Do not pay anyone who offers to take you ahead.
• Do not take photographs where it is not allowed.
• Offer what the temple permits. Many temples sell offerings at their own counters.
• Keep moving in the sanctum so that others get their turn.
• Do not litter. Carry your waste out of hill and forest shrines.
• Be patient with temple staff and volunteers. They are managing very large numbers.

Plan Your Trip With Your Travel Partner

We are based in Ayodhya and specialise in the Uttar Pradesh circuit: Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Vindhyachal and Varanasi. If these famous Navratri destinations in India are on your list, we can arrange the whole journey.

• Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi tour packages, with Vindhyachal added on request
• Cab service for the complete circuit, with drivers who know the temple routes
• E-rickshaw for temple visits within Ayodhya
• Airport pickup and railway station pickup
• Hotels near the temples, and vrat meals arranged on request

How it works

1. Call or WhatsApp +91 78811 55800 with your dates, group size and the temples you want to cover.
2. We send a day-wise plan with driving times and darshan timings.
3. You get the price in writing, with what is included.
4. You confirm with an advance and receive a written confirmation.

We charge only for travel services. Temple darshan and passes are free, and we never charge for them.

Call or WhatsApp: +91 78811 55800

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which are the best places to visit during Navratri 2026?

Vaishno Devi, Vindhyachal, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Ambaji, Pavagadh, Kolkata, Kamakhya, Mysuru, Vijayawada, Jwala Ji and Maihar are among the best places to visit during Navratri 2026.

2. When is Navratri 2026?

From Sunday, 11 October to Monday, 19 October 2026. Dussehra is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

3. Which is the most famous Devi temple to visit in Navratri?

Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir is the most visited. Among Navratri famous temples in India, Kamakhya, Kalighat, Ambaji and Maa Vindhyavasini are equally revered.

4. Which Navratri places to visit in India are best for senior citizens?

Ayodhya, Varanasi, Kolhapur and Vijayawada, where the temples are close to the road. Haridwar is also suitable because of its ropeways.

5. Which are the main Navratri pilgrimage places in Uttar Pradesh?

Maa Vindhyavasini at Vindhyachal, Badi Devkali in Ayodhya, Durga Kund and Vishalakshi in Varanasi, Alopi Devi in Prayagraj and Devipatan in Balrampur.

6. How many days are needed for a Navratri temple tour?

Three to four days cover one region well. The Uttar Pradesh circuit of Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Vindhyachal and Varanasi takes four days.

7. Which day of Navratri is least crowded at temples?

The weekdays from 12 to 16 October are the most comfortable. The heaviest crowds are on 17, 18 and 19 October.

8. Is registration needed for Vaishno Devi in Navratri?

Yes. Yatra registration is compulsory. Use the Shrine Board's official website, maavaishnodevi.org.

9. Which are the famous Navratri destinations in India for Garba?

Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat. The Vibrant Navratri Festival in Ahmedabad is from 11 to 20 October 2026.

10. Which Shakti Peeths can I visit in one trip?

In Himachal Pradesh, Jwala Ji, Chintpurni, Naina Devi, Chamunda and Brajeshwari can be covered in four days. In Maharashtra, Kolhapur and Tuljapur fit into three days.

11. What is special about Navratri in Ayodhya?

Ram Mandir darshan, Ramlila through the nine nights, Dussehra in the city of Shri Ram, and worship at Badi Devkali Temple.

12. Which Navratri religious places in India are in the south?

Chamundeshwari in Mysuru, Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada, Meenakshi Amman in Madurai and Mookambika in Kollur.

13. Are darshan tickets needed at Devi temples in Navratri?

General darshan is free at most temples. Some offer optional special-entry tickets through their own counters or websites. Do not buy from agents.

14. How far is Vindhyachal from Varanasi?

About 65 km by road.

15. Can I combine Ayodhya and Vindhyachal in one Navratri temple tour?

Yes. Travel from Ayodhya to Prayagraj, then to Vindhyachal and Varanasi. It takes four days.

16. Can Your Travel Partner arrange a Navratri temple tour?

Yes. Call or WhatsApp +91 78811 55800. You get the day-wise plan and the price in writing before you pay.

Conclusion

The best places to visit during Navratri 2026 are spread across the whole map of India, from the cave of Vaishno Devi to the hill of Chamundeshwari, and from the flames of Jwala Ji to the banks of the Ganga at Vindhyachal. You cannot see them all in nine days, and you do not need to. Choose one region, plan your darshan for the early morning, travel on a weekday if you can, and give yourself time to simply sit in the temple courtyard after the queue is behind you.

If your heart is set on Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Vindhyachal and Varanasi, we would be glad to plan your Navratri temple tour. Call or WhatsApp +91 78811 55800 or see our tour packages. Jai Mata Di!

More Navratri Guides

• Navratri 2026: dates, muhurat, colours and vrat rules
• Navratri 2026 India: how each state celebrates
• Navratri festival 2026: meaning, story and nine forms of Maa Durga

Official Links

• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
• Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra booking portal
• Uttar Pradesh Tourism
• Incredible India
• IRCTC

Note: Temple timings, darshan arrangements and festival schedules change during Navratri and are decided by each temple's management. Distances are approximate. Please confirm with the temple's official sources before travelling. Your Travel Partner is a private travel service and is not connected with any temple trust.