Navratri 2026 Parana - Should You Break Your Fast on 19 or 20 October?

Short answer first. Break your navratri fast on tuesday 20 october after 12:50 pm.

Now let us tell you why.

You kept the fast for nine days that is not easy. Now one small question is going round in every family whastapp group. When do we break the fast

This year the dates are mixed up navami starts on 19 October. It ends on 20 October. So people are confused some will break the fast too early some will wait too long.

Don’t worry this page will clear it in 2 minutes.

Quick Answer

These times are for new delhi the tithi time is the same in all of India only sunrise time changes a little from city to city.

Navratri Vrat Kab Kholein? Find Your Case

Every family has its own way. Find yours below.

If your family has an old rule follow your family rule. If you still have a doubt ask your pandit ji.

Why Is It 20 October and Not 19?

A Hindu date is called a tithi. A tithi does not start at 12 at night like our normal date it can starts in the morning and end the next day.

This year Saptami came on two days 17 and 18 october so all the days after it move ahead by one day.

Navami starts on 19 october at 10:51 am and it ends on 20 october at 12:50 pm.

Now here is the rule. Drik Panchang follows an old book called nirnaya sindhu it says you should break the navratri fast when navami is over and dashami has started navami ends at 12:50 pm on 20 october. So that is your time.

Doing kanya pujan this year read our Ashtami and Navami 2026 guide it has the full time and method for kanya pujan.

What Is Parana?

Parana is a simple word it means breaking your fast the right way.

You don’t just sit and eat. First you thank Maa Durga then you eat a little prasad then you eat your meal.

Our elders say a fast is complete only when you close it with love and prayer.

How To Break Your Fast (Step By Step)

1. Take a bath and wear clean clothes.
2. Light a diya in front of Maa Durga.
3. Do a small aarti with your family.
4. Offer bhog to Maa. Halwa chana or fruits are fine.
5. Say sorry to Maa for any mistake in these nine days.
6. Eat a little prasad first.
7. Drink some water slowly.
8. Wait for a few minutes then eat a light home meal.

Thats it. It takes only 15 to 20 minutes.

What To Eat First After 9 Days

Your stomach was light for nine days so go slow do not eat a big meal at once.

Eat first:

• Prasad from the puja
• A glass of water or nimbu pani
• A banana or an apple
• A small bowl of kheer or halwa

Eat after some time:

• Dal and rice or dal and roti
• A simple sabzi

Wait before you eat:

• Fried food like pakode
• Very spicy food
• Too much food in one go

Many homes start onion and garlic again only from the next day do what your family does.

When To Do The Navami Havan

Many family do a small havan before they break the fast you have two times.

• 19 October: after 10:51 am when navami starts
• 20 October: in the morning before 12:50 pm

Keep the havan samagri ghee mango wood and havan kund ready one day before. A small home havan takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

What To Do With The Jawara And Kalash

You planted jau on Day 1 by now it must be green and tall now it is time to say goodbye with respect.

Jawara (jau):

• Keep a few green leaves in your puja room many people also keep them in their purse or locker for good luck.
• Put the rest in a river a pond or a clean plant pot.
• Never throw it in the dustbin.

Kalash:

• Sprinkle the kalash water in all rooms of your house.
• Pour the rest in a tulsi plant or any clean plant.
• Break the coconut and give it as prasad to everyone.
• Keep the coin from the kalash in your puja room or money box.

Do this on 20 october.

What To Wear On The Last Day

After nine days the tenth day feels like a happy day many women wear a new saree or a red chunri for the last puja the same look works for dussehra in the evening too.

A red or maroon bandhani saree looks festive and is easy to wear all day want something simple. A red mata ki chunri over your suit or saree is enough for the puja.

Your Plan For 19 And 20 October

• 19 October morning kanya pujan before 10:51 am if your family does it on ashtami
• 19 October after 10:51 AM navami starts. You can do the havan now.
• 20 October morning havan if you did not do it on 19 october
• 20 October after 12:50 PM break your fast
• 20 October jawara and kalash visarjan then dussehra in the evening

Do’s And Don’t

Do:

• Ask your family about the custom one day before.
• Keep prasad and fruits ready.
• Break the fast with a small prayer.

Don’t:

• Don’t eat heavy food first.
• Don’t break a 9 day fast before 12:50 pm on 20 october.
• Don’t throw the jawara or kalash things in the dustbin.

Conclusion

The dates look confusing this year but your plan is very simple navami ends at 12:50 pm on 20 october break your fast after that unless your family has a different rule.

Keep the prasad ready eat light first say thank you to Maa Durga.

Nine days of faith deserve and a calm and happy end.

From all of us at KCPC Bandhani. Jai Mata Di.

FAQs

1. When is Navratri parana in 2026?
Ans. It is on Tuesday 20 october. Break your fast after 12:50 pm.

2. Why not on 19 October?
Ans. Navami is still going on that day. It ends on 20 october at 12:50 pm. The fast is broken after navami ends.

3. Can I break my fast on 19 October?
Ans. Yes if your family does it after kanya pujan on ashtami then do it on 19 october before 10:51 am.

4. What time should I break my fast?
Ans. After 12:50 pm on 20 october. This is the safe time for most homes.

5. What should I eat first?
Ans. Eat the puja prasad first then drink some water and eat a fruit. Eat your meal a little later.

6. When should I do the havan?
Ans. You can do it on 19 october after 10:51 am or you can do it on 20 october in the morning before 12:50 pm

7. What should I do with the jawara?
Ans. Keep a few green leaves in your puja room put the rest in a river or a clean plant pot. Do not throw it in the dustbin.

8. When is Dussehra in 2026?
Ans. Dussehra is on Tuesday 20 october 2026. It is the same day as parana.