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

TL;DR

• Navratri 2026 runs October 11–18 (Durga Ashtami), with Dussehra on October 20 🙏
• Four Indian temples serving the Yorba Linda area host events and special puja across the nine nights
• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills and Radha Raman Vedic Temple in Placentia are anchor venues for Navratri
• Garba and Dandiya events organized by Indian community associations bring hundreds of families together across Orange County
• Yorba Linda sits at the heart of the South OC–Inland Empire belt, making it easy to reach events in Placentia, Brea, Tustin, and Chino Hills 🎉

When Is Navratri 2026 in Yorba Linda?

Navratri 2026 begins on October 11 and runs through Durga Ashtami on October 18, with Dussehra (Vijayadashami) following on October 20. For the Indian community across Yorba Linda and greater Orange County, this nine-night festival is one of the year's biggest communal celebrations — a time when temples expand their programming, community halls book out early, and Dandiya-Raas music echoes through the evenings of mid-October.

The festive season actually kicks off well before Navratri. On September 4, Radha Raman Vedic Temple in neighboring Placentia holds its Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations — an event that sets the devotional tone for the autumn ahead. Ganesh Chaturthi follows on September 14, Purnima on September 26, and Sankashti Chaturthi on September 29, building a steady cadence of observance into October.

Key Dates for Navratri 2026

Indian Temples Near Yorba Linda for Navratri

The Yorba Linda area is well served by a cluster of Indian temples across the adjacent cities of Placentia, Brea, Chino Hills, and Tustin. Together, these form the devotional backbone of the Indian community's Navratri observance.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir — Chino Hills

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at 15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd, Chino Hills is among the most architecturally striking mandirs in Southern California. Built in the traditional shikharbaddha style with intricately carved marble and pink limestone, it is a pilgrimage destination in its own right. During Navratri, BAPS mandirs typically organize special Garba evenings that are family-oriented, well-organized, and open to the broader community — though the Chino Hills mandir's specific 2026 programming should be confirmed directly. The mandir's spiritual atmosphere during the nine nights is deeply felt.

Radha Raman Vedic Temple — Placentia

Radha Raman Vedic Temple at 1022 Bradford Ave, Placentia — reachable at radharamantemple.com — is one of the most active temples serving the Yorba Linda community. The temple already demonstrated its reach by hosting Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations on September 4; its Navratri programming is an eagerly anticipated annual fixture. The temple committee typically organizes morning puja, evening aarti, and Garba evenings across the nine days, with special arrangements on Ashtami. Community members from Yorba Linda, Placentia, Anaheim Hills, and Orange make this their Navratri home.

Bharat Sevashram Sangha West — Brea

Bharat Sevashram Sangha West at 5600 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea offers a more contemplative, retreat-like setting for Navratri worship. Founded on the teachings of Swami Pranavananda, the Sangha blends devotional practice with seva and is particularly welcoming to those seeking a spiritually intensive nine days rather than a primarily social Garba experience. Navratri here involves extended periods of chanting, havan (fire ritual), and study of the Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati).

Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles — Tustin

Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles at 14451 Franklin Ave, Tustin brings an educational and philosophical dimension to Navratri programming. The Mission typically hosts talks, satsangs, and cultural programs during the festival season, making it an ideal destination for families who want to deepen their understanding of the tradition alongside the celebratory aspects. The Tustin center is well within reach of Yorba Linda via the 55 and 91 freeways.

Garba Nights in Orange County

Beyond the temples, the Indian community associations of Orange County organize large-scale Garba and Dandiya-Raas events at convention halls and community centers across the region. These events — often ticketed, drawing anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand attendees — are the social centrepiece of Navratri for many Yorba Linda families.

Gujarati associations, Indian cultural organizations, and youth groups all run their own events, and the calendar typically stacks events across multiple nights during the first, fifth, and eighth evenings of Navratri. Venues in Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Irvine have historically hosted large Garba events that draw the South OC community.

Insider Tip: Tickets for the biggest Garba events in Orange County sell out well in advance — sometimes weeks before Navratri begins. Watch the event pages of Indian cultural associations and Hindu temples in the area from mid-September onward. Dresscode is typically enforced: chaniya choli for women and kurta-dhoti or kurta-churidar for men. Coming traditionally dressed transforms the experience for everyone on the floor.

What to Expect at the Temples on Ashtami

Durga Ashtami (October 18) is the most intensely devotional day of Navratri. At Radha Raman Vedic Temple and other area mandirs, Ashtami typically features extended puja, Kanya Puja (the ritual honoring young girls as manifestations of the goddess), and a special prasad meal of kala chana, halwa, and puri for the congregation.

For those observing the traditional Navratri fast, Ashtami is when many devotees break their nine-day vrat. Temples often arrange communal meal after the main puja, providing a rare opportunity to share prasad with hundreds of fellow worshippers.

BAPS mandirs observe Dussehra (October 20) with distinct devotional programming; check the BAPS website for Chino Hills's specific schedule as it approaches.

Getting Around from Yorba Linda During Navratri

Yorba Linda sits conveniently between the 57 and 91 freeways, putting the four main temple cities within 15–25 minutes:

• Placentia (Radha Raman Vedic Temple): ~10 minutes via Imperial Highway
• Brea (Bharat Sevashram Sangha West): ~12 minutes via Carbon Canyon Road
• Chino Hills (BAPS Mandir): ~20 minutes via the 71 freeway south
• Tustin (Chinmaya Mission): ~20 minutes via the 91 west to the 55

Parking at BAPS Chino Hills is typically ample. Radha Raman Vedic Temple's residential neighborhood location means street parking on busy Garba nights — arriving 30–45 minutes early is advised.

FAQ

Q: When is Navratri 2026 in Yorba Linda? A: Navratri 2026 runs from October 11 through Durga Ashtami on October 18, with Dussehra on October 20.

Q: Which temple near Yorba Linda is best for Navratri celebrations? A: Radha Raman Vedic Temple in nearby Placentia is the most community-focused option for Navratri, while BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills offers large-scale Garba evenings and a stunning temple setting.

Q: Are there Garba events specifically in Yorba Linda? A: Organized Garba events for the area are typically held in adjacent cities like Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, or Brea. Indian community associations announce event details from mid-September onward.

Q: Is Bharat Sevashram Sangha West open to all for Navratri? A: Yes. Bharat Sevashram Sangha West in Brea welcomes visitors from all backgrounds for its Navratri devotional programs. Contact the center directly for their 2026 schedule.

Q: What is Karva Chauth and when is it in 2026? A: Karva Chauth is a fasting tradition observed by married women praying for their husbands' longevity. In 2026, it falls on October 29 — about nine days after Dussehra.

Bottom Line

Navratri 2026 in Yorba Linda runs from October 11 through Dussehra on October 20, with the Indian community drawing on a rich network of temples and cultural organizations across the greater Orange County and Inland Empire area. From devotional Ashtami puja at Radha Raman Vedic Temple and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir to contemplative worship at Bharat Sevashram Sangha West and educational satsangs at Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles — and the high-energy Garba nights in between — the Navratri experience here is as full and varied as the community that celebrates it.