Navratri & Garba 2026 in Torrance: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• Navratri 2026 runs October 11–19; Dussehra falls on October 20
• Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple And Religious Academy in Torrance hosts Navratri puja through all nine nights
• Major Garba and Dandiya events take place at venues across greater Los Angeles, with artists like Falguni Pathak headlining regional shows
• India Sweets & Groceries on Sepulveda Boulevard is the South Bay's go-to stop for puja supplies and Navratri fasting foods
• Book Garba event tickets well in advance — popular Saturday nights sell out weeks early

Navratri in the Torrance Indian Diaspora

Navratri — nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga and her forms — is one of the most emotionally significant festivals for Indian families in Torrance and the South Bay. Los Angeles has long been home to a large, established Indian community, and Torrance, at the southern edge of the South Bay, anchors a community that spans Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and other regional backgrounds.

For 2026, Sharad Navratri begins on Sunday, October 11 and concludes on Monday, October 19. Vijayadashami — Dussehra — follows on Tuesday, October 20. These nine days mark not only the high point of Devi puja and fasting for Hindu families but, for many Gujarati households in particular, the Garba dance season they have looked forward to all year.

The devotional calendar leading up to Navratri is already full: Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 14, Ekadashi on September 22, and Purnima on September 26. By the time October arrives, the Torrance Indian community's ritual rhythm is in full swing.

Navratri Puja in Torrance: Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple

The spiritual heart of Navratri for Torrance's Indian Hindu families is Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple And Religious Academy, located at 23805 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505. Established in 2014, this temple is home to the only 12-foot Panchamukha Hanuman idol of its kind in the United States. Beyond Hanuman, the temple houses Lord Ganesha, Lord Venkateswara, Shivalingam, and Sri Shirdi Sai Baba — making it a multi-tradition spiritual hub for Torrance's Indian community.

During Navratri, the temple holds special Devi puja on each of the nine evenings, with Durga Ashtami on October 18 and Navami on October 19 being the peak days. Devotees perform kumkumarchana, offer red flowers and fresh coconut, and participate in communal aarti. Kanya Puja — where young girls representing the nine forms of Durga are offered prasad and gifts — is a highlight on one of these final two days, especially for families with young daughters.

The temple has established itself as a key anchor for South Bay Indian families during every major Hindu festival, and Navratri is among the most attended.

Insider Tip: Arrive at Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple at least an hour before the Ashtami evening aarti. The queue for darshan on October 18 can run long, and parking along Hawthorne Boulevard fills up fast once the sun goes down.

Garba and Dandiya Nights for the South Bay

Navratri in Torrance extends well beyond the temple. Greater Los Angeles, with one of the largest Indian communities on the West Coast, hosts multiple Garba and Dandiya Raas events at convention halls, ballrooms, and event venues throughout the nine-night season.

In recent years, major Garba producers have brought top international artists to the LA area. Falguni Pathak, widely regarded as the queen of Garba, has headlined LA-area Navratri events and draws audiences from across Southern California — including families from the South Bay and Torrance who make the drive for a night of dancing. The largest productions cluster around the opening Sunday, October 11, and the peak Ashtami-Navami weekend of October 18-19.

Tickets for Saturday Garba nights sell fast. South Bay Indian community groups on social media, and event platforms covering the Indian diaspora, typically post listings several weeks before Navratri. Traditional attire is expected and celebrated at these events: chaniya choli in mirror-work fabric for women, kurta-pyjama or kediya-dhoti for men.

For those who prefer to stay closer to home, smaller community-organized Garba evenings are held by Indian cultural organizations in the Torrance and Carson area during Navratri.

Navratri Fasting and Festive Shopping in Torrance

Navratri fasting varies by family and regional tradition. Some households observe strict upvas through all nine days, eating only fruits, milk, and dishes made with sendha namak (rock salt). Others fast on the first day, the eighth, and the ninth. Either way, stocking the right supplies before Navratri begins is part of the preparation.

India Sweets & Groceries, at 3920 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, is the South Bay Indian community's longtime anchor for both everyday groceries and festive shopping. Family-owned and operated for about three decades, the store carries sabudana (tapioca pearls), kuttu atta (buckwheat flour), rajgira chikki, dried fruits, and rock salt for fasting households. For puja preparations, the store stocks kumkum, sindoor, incense sticks, camphor, and fresh flowers. The sweets counter — motichoor laddoo, kaju katli, and besan barfi — serves the festive prasad needs of the season.

For Diwali supplies purchased right after Navratri, the same store carries diyas, rangoli powders, and agarbatti in a variety of fragrances.

The Community Dimension of Navratri

For second-generation Indian families in Torrance, Navratri holds a particular place. It is one of the few festivals where Indian cultural identity is worn most publicly. Garba nights draw young Indian-Americans who may not observe daily puja but show up in traditional clothes to dance alongside grandparents and college friends. The intergenerational quality of the festival — grandmother teaching granddaughter the basic garba steps, older uncles competing to stay on the floor longest — is what gives it lasting warmth in diaspora communities like Torrance.

The season also connects Torrance families with the broader South Asian network across Los Angeles: Gujarati garba groups, North Indian pujas, and Tamil temple celebrations all converge in October, and many families move between communities during these nine days.

FAQ

When exactly is Navratri 2026? Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11 and ends on Monday, October 19. Dussehra falls on Tuesday, October 20.

Which Torrance temple celebrates Navratri? Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple And Religious Academy at 23805 Hawthorne Blvd holds Navratri pujas and cultural events through all nine nights.

Where can I buy Navratri puja supplies in Torrance? India Sweets & Groceries on Sepulveda Boulevard carries kumkum, sindoor, camphor, flowers, and a full range of Navratri fasting staples.

Where are Garba events held near Torrance? Major Garba and Dandiya events for the South Bay are at venues across greater Los Angeles. Indian community social media groups and diaspora event platforms list specific venues and ticket links.

Do I need to buy Garba tickets in advance? Yes — popular Garba nights, especially Saturday evenings and the Ashtami weekend, sell out weeks before Navratri begins.

Bottom Line

Navratri 2026 in Torrance offers the full arc of Indian festival culture: Devi puja at Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple And Religious Academy, Garba nights with the South Bay community at LA-area venues, and the everyday warmth of Indian grocery life at India Sweets & Groceries on Sepulveda. For Torrance's Indian diaspora families, these nine nights bring the spiritual weight of the goddess's victory and the particular joy of celebrating Indian identity together in Southern California.