Key Highlights
- Day 7 is on Saturday: Most calendars say Navratri Day 7 falls on October 17, 2026. This day is for Maa Kalaratri.
- She removes fear: Maa Kalaratri is the seventh form of Durga. She is believed to remove fear, bad energy and darkness.
- Jaggery is her bhog: Devotees offer gud (jaggery) to the Goddess on this day.
- Big days begin: Saptami starts the last three days of Navratri. Durga Puja pandals see their biggest crowds from today.
- Check your local calendar: Different calendars show different dates this year, so check your local panchang.
Shardiya Navratri 2026 has reached its seventh day. This day is called Saptami. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on Saturday, October 17, 2026. On this day, devotees worship Maa Kalaratri, the seventh form of Goddess Durga.
The name Kalaratri means “dark night.” The Goddess has a dark skin colour, open hair and three shining eyes. She has four hands and rides a donkey. In two hands, she holds a sword and an iron hook. With the other two hands, she blesses her devotees and tells them not to be afraid.
She Looks Fierce, But Brings Good Luck
Maa Kalaratri looks very fierce. But she is also called “Shubhankari,” which means the one who brings good things. People believe that praying to her on Saptami removes fear, troubles and bad energy from life.
Her most famous story is about a demon named Raktabija. Every drop of his blood that fell on the ground created a new demon. Maa Kalaratri drank his blood before it could touch the ground. This is how she defeated him and saved the world.
