Navratri 2026: Dates and the Nine Colours to Wear, Day by Day

IBTimes reports that the Pratipada tithi, the first lunar day, begins at 9:19 pm on October 10 and ends at 9:30 pm on October 11. Many Hindu calendars count a day by the tithi in force at sunrise, so October 11 is observed as day one.

The lunar days do not line up neatly with our calendar this year. According to IBTimes, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on October 19 because two tithis overlap. That is why some families will do their Ashtami rituals and Kanya Puja earlier or later than their neighbours.

Ghatasthapana: the first-day ritual

Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana, also called Kalash Sthapana. A pot is filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut, and placed at the family altar. Many households also sow barley or other grains beside it, which sprout over the nine days. The ritual invites the Goddess into the home.

For Delhi and nearby cities, IBTimes gives the main muhurat on October 11 as 6:19 am to 10:12 am, with the Abhijit Muhurat of 11:44 am to 12:31 pm as an alternative. Timings shift from city to city, so check a local panchang.

The nine forms of Durga

Each day of Navratri honours one of the nine forms of the Goddess, together called the Navdurga. IBTimes lists them in this order:

1. Shailaputri, October 11
2. Brahmacharini, October 12
3. Chandraghanta, October 13
4. Kushmanda, October 14
5. Skandamata, October 15
6. Katyayani, October 16
7. Kalaratri, October 17
8. Mahagauri, October 18
9. Siddhidatri, October 19

The nine colours

Wearing a different colour on each day of Navratri has become a joyful tradition in recent decades, especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat, and it has spread across offices, campuses and social media. Colour calendars vary slightly between publishers. IBTimes, for example, starts with orange instead of coral, because the first day falls on a Sunday. This year's list from Outlook Luxe is:

• Day 1, October 11 — Coral. A contemporary take on the traditional orange.
• Day 2, October 12 — White. For peace, purity and calm.
• Day 3, October 13 — Red. Bold and auspicious; a natural choice for evening aarti.
• Day 4, October 14 — Royal blue. Confident and elegant.
• Day 5, October 15 — Yellow. Warm and optimistic.
• Day 6, October 16 — Green. Growth, renewal and prosperity.
• Day 7, October 17 — Grey. Composed and understated.
• Day 8, October 18 — Purple. Dignified and spiritual, suited to Ashtami.
• Day 9, October 19 — Peacock green. A rich, celebratory shade for Navami.

Making it work

The colour calendar is meant to be fun, not a rulebook. A few practical ideas:

• Build around what you own. A white kurta or shirt can carry you through several days with a change of dupatta, stole or pocket square in the day's colour.
• Dress for the activity. If you are dancing garba or dandiya late into the night, choose breathable cottons and comfortable footwear over heavy fabrics.
• Think beyond clothes. Bangles, a bindi, a tie or even a phone cover in the day's shade lets you join in without buying a new outfit for every day.

Beyond the colours

For millions of families, Navratri is first a time of devotion: fasting, prayer and community worship. Many people keep a fast or eat only sattvik, pure vegetarian food for the nine days. Homes hold morning and evening aarti, light diyas and offer flowers and fruit. On Ashtami or Navami, many families perform Kanya Puja, inviting young girls home as forms of the Goddess and serving them a meal and gifts.

Customs change from region to region. Gujarat is famous for its garba and dandiya nights, while Bengal and much of eastern India celebrate the same days as Durga Puja.

Why Dussehra follows

Dussehra carries two well-known stories. In the Devi tradition, it marks Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. In another major tradition, it celebrates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, which is why Ravana effigies are burnt in many towns that evening. Whatever the tradition, the festival ends in the same spirit on Vijayadashami: the celebration of good over evil, and the start of a festive season that runs on towards Diwali.

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