Bhadrakali Navaratri, Day 1: Bala Tripurasundari Alankaram

Navaratri begins at Bhadrakali: dhwajarohanam, kalasha sthapana and the start of the Navaratri vratam, with the goddess as Bala Tripurasundari (Shailaputri). Vrishabha vahana seva at 11 am; Mriga (deer) vahana seva at 7 pm. Nityahnikam at 4 am every day. Darshan 4 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 8 pm (madhyahna puja 12 to 1). Part of the Sri Bhadrakali Devi Sharannavaratri (Dasara) Mahotsavam, 11 to 21 October 2026.

Significance: Bala Tripurasundari is the goddess as a young girl, the gentle, innocent form in which Navaratri begins. The Navadurga form of the day, Shailaputri, is the daughter of the mountain (Parvati), the first of the nine Durgas. Raising the flag (dhwajarohanam) and setting up the kalasham invite the goddess to stay for the nine nights.