Navratri 2026: Dates and the Nine Colours to Wear, Day by Day
Sharad Navratri begins on Sunday, October 11. A practical guide to this year's colour calendar, with Vijayadashami expected on October 20.
The festive season begins in earnest this weekend. Sharad Navratri, the nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms, starts on Sunday, October 11 and runs until Monday, October 19, according to most calendars. Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, follows on Tuesday, October 20.
Because Hindu festival dates are set by the lunar calendar and the exact timing of the tithi, a few calendars place the start a day later, on October 12. If you are planning Ghatasthapana or other rituals, it is worth checking your local panchang or family priest.
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; 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 — and, in Bengal and across eastern India, the season of Durga Puja. Whatever the tradition, the nine nights end in the same spirit on Vijayadashami: the celebration of good over evil, and the start of a festive season that runs on towards Diwali.
Sources
This article draws on the following reporting. Dates are when each source was originally published.
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