Navratri 2026: During the nine-night festival of Sharad Navratri, Maa Durga, the divine mother who represents the cosmic energy or Shakti, is worshipped in various parts of India. Most significantly, she is worshipped in Kolkata, West Bengal, and this year, the festival will be celebrated between 11th October and 21st October, 2026. During this time, visiting the holy Shakti Peethas is considered particularly auspicious owing to the amplified energy that leads to a more intense spiritual awakening. As such, many people make it a habit to visit temples dedicated to Shakti or Maa Durga during these nine nights. For devotees and spiritualists alike, visiting the following Mata temples during Navratri would be especially auspicious.
Temples To Visit During Navratri 2026
1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra, Jammu And Kashmir
Dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, this holy cave shrine manifests as the three Pindies comprising Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. During Navratri, the temple as well as the idols in the temple are adorned with imported flowers and decorations, and the 13 km illuminated trek path.
Best Time For Darshan: 3 AM to 6 AM)
Closest Airport: Jammu (IXJ)
Closest Railway Station: Katra (MVD)
2. Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha, Gujarat
Ambaji temple in Banaskantha is arguably one of the most important shakti peethas, as this is where the heart of Devi Sati is believed to have fallen. One of the most important highlights of this temple is that it has no idol inside it. Instead, this temple houses and worships a Shree Visa Yantra.
Best Time For Darshan: 7:30 AM to 9 AM
Closest Airport: Ahmedabad (AMD)
Closest Railway Station: Abu Road (ABR)
3. Kalighat Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal
This particular temple is where the toes of Sati are believed to have fallen. During Durga Puja, the temple undergoes a grand transformation replete with traditional Sandhi Puja and midnight general darshan queues. What is more, if you don’t want to wait in line for extended periods of time, you can avail of their fast-track/special line tokens available during Puja days.
Best Time For Darshan: 5 AM to 7 AM
Closest Airport: Kolkata (CCU)
Closest Railway Station: Howrah (HWH)
4. Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysuru, Karnataka
Located atop Chamundi Hills, this temple honors Goddess Chamundeshwari, who vanquished the demon Mahishasura. The Chamundeshwari Temple is the centerpiece of the 10-day Mysuru Dasara festival. The most remarkable spectacle here is, hands-down, the grand royal procession (Jamboo Savari) carrying the golden idol on Vijayadashami.
Best Time For Darshan: 6 AM to 8 AM
Closest Airport: Mysuru (MYQ)
Closest Railway Station: Mysuru Junction
Also Read: Where Is Garba Happening In Bengaluru For Navratri 2026? Tickets, Venues & Dates
5. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam
Kamakhya Temple is widely considered the fountainhead of Tantric Shaktism. It is believed that this is where the yoni, or the womb of Sati, fell. During Navratri, the temple hosts special Navaratri Yajna and special Tantric rituals, and also witnesses heavy devotional footfall.
Best Time For Darshan: 5:30 AM to 8 AM
Closest Airport: Guwahati (GAU)
Closest Railway Station: Kamakhya (KYQ)
6. Vindhyachal Temple, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh
Located along the Ganga, the Vindhyachal Temple forms part of the sacred Vindhyachal Trikona Parikrama along with Kali Khoh and Ashtabhuja temples. Every year, it hosts a Durga Puja mela during Sharad Navratri that witnesses lakhs of pilgrims for tantra-mantra and sadhana.
Best Time For Darshan: 4 AM to 6 AM
Closest Airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri, Varanasi (VNS)
Closest Railway Station: Vindhyachal (BDL) and Mirzapur (MZP)
7. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
The Meenakshi Amman Temple is an ancient Dravidian architectural marvel that is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, who is considered a form of Parvati. In its sprawling hall of a thousand pillars stands a beautifully decorated Golu, or Doll Platform. There, the Goddess lovingly undergoes daily special Alangarams, or adornments.
Best Time For Darshan: 5 AM to 7 AM
Closest Airport: Madurai (IXM)
Closest Railway Station: Madurai Junction (MDU)
8. Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal
The grand Dakshineswar Temple is renowned for its association with Saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It is important to note that a strict traditional dress code is enforced in this temple. Here, too, you can opt for special, fast-tracked line tokens during Durga Puja.
Best Time For Darshan: 6 AM to 8 AM
Closest Airport: Kolkata (CCU)
Closest Railway Station: Dakshineswar (DAKE) and Howrah (HWH)
Also Read: Where Is Falguni Pathak Performing For Navratri 2026 In Mumbai? Tickets, Venue & More
Summing Up
India’s rich cultural diversity has always gone hand-in-hand with its deep spiritual devotion. The temples listed here are the perfect exhibits of this fact. So, if you want to have an especially blessed Navratri and are seeking particular favors from Maa, visiting these temples will undoubtedly fulfill your spiritual aspiration in a way that will create great awe in you.
