Navaratri Day 7 is a significant day in the Hindu festive calendar. The seventh day is celebrated as Maha Saptami, which is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Kalaratri. She is considered the fiercest form of Goddess Durga and embodies destruction and change. On this day, devotees offer prayers to her to get rid of their ignorance, darkness, and evil thoughts.
In 2026, Navratri Day 7 falls on Saturday, 17 October 2026, when Maa Kalaratri is worshipped on Ashwina Shukla Saptami. Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026 with Ghatasthapana, so the seventh night is the seventh day of that festival, which closes with Maha Navami on Monday, 19 October 2026 and Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
- Navratri Day 7 2026: Saturday, 17 October 2026
- Tithi: Ashwina Shukla Saptami (Sharad Navratri)
- Goddess: Maa Kalaratri, the seventh form of Navadurga
- Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah
- Colour of the day in 2026: Grey in the colour list published by Prokerala – the nine-day colour list is set fresh each year and differs between panchangs
- Navratri 2026 begins (Ghatasthapana): Sunday, 11 October 2026
- Maha Navami (Day 9): Monday, 19 October 2026
- Vijayadashami / Dussehra (Day 10): Tuesday, 20 October 2026
- Saptami tithi: begins in the early morning of 17 October and ends in the morning of 18 October 2026; the exact clock time varies by source and place
The seventh day is fixed by the tithi, not by a calendar date: Kalaratri puja is done while Ashwina Shukla Saptami is current, which is why the day shifts each year. In 2026 it falls on 17 October. Because a tithi is counted from local sunrise, the puja window for the seventh day differs from city to city, so follow a panchang for your own location rather than copying another city’s clock time.
Goddess Kalaratri is depicted with a dark complexion, long hair tied in a bun, and four hands holding a sword, a trident, and a torch. Her fierce form is believed to destroy all the negativity that hinders the progress of her devotees. Her divine power brings courage, strength, and determination in one’s life.
Maa Kalaratri Mantra
To worship Goddess Kalaratri, devotees recite mantras dedicated to her. Some popular mantras are:
ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Maa Kalaratri Mantra
This mantra is chanted to seek the blessings of the fierce Goddess Kalaratri. It is used by devotees to express their reverence and gratitude towards Goddess Kalaratri. It is dedicated to all forms of Goddess Durga, including Kalaratri, and is believed to bring positive energy and blessings to the devotee.
Puja Bidhi
On this day, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a bath. They wear new clothes and offer prayers to Goddess Kalaratri. The puja ceremony includes lighting up the lamp, incense sticks, offering flowers, and sweets to the Goddess. Devotees recite mantras and offer prayers to seek her blessings. Many also perform havans, yajnas, and other pujas on this day.
The seventh day of Navaratri is a significant day in the Hindu tradition, and it is essential to observe the puja ceremoniously. It is essential to be devoted and offer prayers to the fierce Goddess Kalaratri to seek her protection, blessings, and divine energy. With her grace, all obstacles in life can be overcome, and one can achieve success, happiness, and peace.
Bhogs offered to Maa Kalaratri
During the Navaratri Day 7 puja, devotees offer various bhogs to please Maa Kalaratri. Some of the popular bhogs that are offered to her are:
- Jaggery (gur): This sweet, dark brown, and unrefined sugar is considered auspicious and is offered to Goddess Kalaratri during the puja.
- Black sesame seeds (til): Black sesame seeds are believed to have immense health benefits and are offered to the Goddess to seek her blessings. They are also believed to represent darkness, which is the essence of Kalaratri’s form.
- Flattened rice (poha): Poha, also known as flattened rice, is an easy-to-digest and light food that is offered to the Goddess during the puja.
- Black lentils (urad dal): Black lentils are also considered to be symbolic of darkness and are offered to the Goddess to appease her.
- Kheer: Kheer, a sweet rice pudding made with milk and sugar, is also a popular bhog that is offered to the Goddess.
- Fruits and flowers: Devotees also offer a variety of fruits and flowers to the Goddess to seek her blessings and show their devotion.
Navaratri day 7 is a significant day of the Navaratri festival. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga arrived on Earth in the form of Goddess Kalaratri. She is the seventh manifestation of Goddess Durga, and her name means “the one who is dark and terrifying.”
The significance of Navaratri day 7 is to seek the blessings of Goddess Kalaratri, who is believed to destroy all the darkness and negativity surrounding us. She is also known as Shubhankari, as it is believed that devotees who worship her with devotion are blessed with good health, prosperity, and success. Offering prayers to her on Navaratri day 7 is considered very auspicious and is said to bring positive energy and happiness to the devotees.
The Kalaratri mantra is believed to have the power of removing all the negativity in life and bestowing courage, determination, and strength to the devotee. It is also said to help in overcoming fears and obstacles and to achieve success and happiness in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Navratri Day 7 in 2026?
Navratri Day 7, dedicated to Maa Kalaratri, falls on Saturday, 17 October 2026, on Ashwina Shukla Saptami during Sharad Navratri.
Which goddess is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri?
Maa Kalaratri, the seventh of the nine Navadurga forms of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped on Ashwina Shukla Saptami, the seventh tithi of the festival.
What is the mantra for Navratri Day 7?
The mantra is Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah. Devotees also chant Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita and repeat the mantra 108 times.
When does Sharad Navratri 2026 begin and end?
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October 2026 and the nine nights run to Maha Navami on Monday, 19 October 2026, with Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
Why is Navratri Day 7 on a different date every year?
Day 7 follows Ashwina Shukla Saptami, a lunar tithi, so its Gregorian date shifts every year. It falls on 17 October in 2026.
What is offered to Maa Kalaratri on the seventh day?
Traditional offerings include jaggery, black sesame seeds, flattened rice (poha), black lentils, kheer, and fruits and flowers, as listed in the bhog section above.
Also see the Navratri Experience Hub for all nine days of Maa Durga, and the Day 7 page – Kalaratri story, mantra and significance.