When is Navratri 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026 with Ghatasthapana on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, and runs for nine nights. Maha Navami falls on 19 October, and the festival culminates in Dussehra (Vijayadashami) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Dates follow the Drik Panchang; regional panjika may shift a tithi by a day.
Navratri 2026 — nine days, nine goddesses & colours
| Day & Tithi | Date | Goddess | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 · Pratipada | 11 Oct | Maa Shailaputri | White |
| Day 2 · Dwitiya | 12 Oct | Maa Brahmacharini | Red |
| Day 3 · Tritiya | 13 Oct | Maa Chandraghanta | Royal Blue |
| Day 4 · Chaturthi | 14 Oct | Maa Kushmanda | Yellow |
| Day 5 · Panchami | 15 Oct | Maa Skandamata | Green |
| Day 6 · Shashthi | 16 Oct | Maa Katyayani | Grey |
| Day 7 · Saptami | 17 Oct | Maa Kalaratri | Orange |
| Day 8 · Ashtami | 18 Oct | Maa Mahagauri | Peacock Green |
| Day 9 · Navami | 19 Oct | Maa Siddhidatri | Pink |
What is Navratri?
Navratri — literally "nine nights" — honours the divine feminine in her nine forms as Goddess Durga. Sharad (autumn) Navratri is the most widely celebrated of the year, marking Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. Across India it takes on regional colour: Garba and Dandiya Raas in Gujarat, grand Durga Puja pandals in Bengal, and Golu doll displays in the South.
Rituals, fasting & puja vidhi
- Ghatasthapana — a consecrated kalash and barley sowing on day one invokes the Goddess.
- Nine-day fast (Vrat) — many keep a satvik fast on fruit, sabudana and kuttu, avoiding grains, onion and garlic.
- Daily colours — devotees dress in the day's colour to honour each form of Durga.
- Kanya Pujan — young girls are worshipped as embodiments of the Goddess on Ashtami or Navami.
- Garba & Dandiya — nightly devotional folk dance, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Navratri across the regional calendars
Navratri leads into Dussehra 2026 and, in Bengal, overlaps with Durga Puja 2026. Track every tithi and festival on the Hindi Panchang 2026 and Gujarati Calendar 2026, or see all celebrations on the 2026 Festivals hub.
Frequently asked questions
When is Navratri 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October 2026 and runs nine nights, ending on Maha Navami, Monday, 19 October. Dussehra follows on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
What is Ghatasthapana?
Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) is the opening ritual on day one — a consecrated pot with barley seeds invokes Goddess Durga for the nine days. In 2026 it falls on 11 October.
What are the nine colours of Navratri 2026?
White, Red, Royal Blue, Yellow, Green, Grey, Orange, Peacock Green and Pink — one for each day, each tied to a form of Durga.
When is Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami 2026?
Durga Ashtami (Mahagauri) is on 18 October and Maha Navami (Siddhidatri) on 19 October 2026. Kanya Pujan is commonly performed on these days.