Day 1 ·
Maa Shailputri
The first form of Durga, worshipped on the opening day of Navratri right after Ghatasthapana.
- Colour
- Orange
- Bhog
- Pure desi ghee
- Vahan
- Bull (Nandi)
Shardiya Navratri · Ashwin Shukla Paksha
Navratri 2026
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Nine nights, nine forms of Maa Durga. This guide brings together the 2026 dates and panchang, a page for each Devi with her mantra, aarti and bhog, the colour for each day, the Ghatasthapana muhurat, Durga Puja, Vijayadashami and the Garba nights that fill the season.
Ghatasthapana begins in
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Your Navratri guide
Everything for the nine nights, in one place
Start with the dates, then read about each Devi, the puja steps and the celebrations that follow.
Navratri 2026What Navratri is, how India celebrates it and fasting rulesDates and PanchangDay-by-day tithi, sunrise, moonrise and Rahu KaalThe nine DeviStory, mantra, aarti and bhog for each formNavratri puja guideSankalpa, Ghatasthapana, daily puja and Sandhi PujaNavratri coloursThe colour to wear on each of the nine daysNavratri prasadBhog for each Devi and simple vrat foodGarba and DandiyaGarba, Dandiya Raas, rangoli and tips for the nightsDurga PujaBengal dates, Sandhi Puja and Durga VisarjanVijayadashami (Dussehra)Vijay Muhurat, Aparahna puja and Ravan DahanAyudha PujaWorship of tools, books and vehicles on Navami
Navratri 2026 dates
When is Navratri in 2026?
Shardiya Navratri starts on Sunday, 11 October with Ghatasthapana on Pratipada tithi and continues for nine nights until Monday, 19 October. Vijayadashami (Dussehra) follows on Tuesday, 20 October.
- StartsPratipada · Ghatasthapana & Maa Shailputri
- Muhurat6:19 AM – 10:11 AMKalash sthapana window, New Delhi. Abhijit: 11:44 AM – 12:30 PM
- Ashtami & NavamiDurga Ashtami, Sandhi Puja (10:28 AM – 11:16 AM), Maha Navami and Kanya Pujan
- DussehraVijayadashami, Ravan Dahan and Durga Visarjan. Vijay Muhurat 1:59 PM – 2:44 PM
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11Day 1 | 12Day 2 | 13Day 3 | 14Day 4 | 15Day 5 | 16Day 6 | 17Day 7 |
| 18Day 8 | 19Day 9 | 20Dussehra | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Timings are for New Delhi. Muhurat and tithi can shift by a few minutes, and sometimes by a day, in other cities and regional panchangs.
Day-wise schedule
The nine days of Navratri
Each day is dedicated to one form of the Goddess, together known as Navadurga. In 2026 Saptami tithi runs across two sunrises, 17 and 18 October, so Ashtami and Navami are both observed on 19 October. Swipe through the journey from Shailputri to Siddhidatri.
- Day 1Maa ShailputriPratipada · GhatasthapanaOrange
- Day 2Maa BrahmachariniDwitiyaWhite
- Day 3Maa ChandraghantaTritiyaRed
- Day 4Maa KushmandaChaturthiRoyal Blue
- Day 5Maa SkandamataPanchamiYellow
- Day 6Maa KatyayaniShashthiGreen
- Day 7Maa KalaratriSaptamiGrey
- Day 8Maa MahagauriSaptami (continues)Purple
- Day 9Maa SiddhidatriAshtami → Navami · Kanya PujanPeacock Green
Navadurga
The nine forms of Goddess Durga
Meet each Devi worshipped during Navratri. Open a card for her full story, puja steps, mantra, aarti and the timings for her day.
Day 2 ·
Maa Brahmacharini
Parvati as a young ascetic, worshipped on the second day for patience and self-discipline.
- Colour
- White
- Bhog
- Sugar and mishri
- Vahan
- None, she walks barefoot
Day 3 ·
Maa Chandraghanta
The ten-armed form with a bell-shaped half moon on her forehead, worshipped for courage.
- Colour
- Red
- Bhog
- Kheer and milk sweets
- Vahan
- Tigress
Day 4 ·
Maa Kushmanda
The goddess who is said to have created the universe with her smile, worshipped on the fourth day.
- Colour
- Royal Blue
- Bhog
- Malpua
- Vahan
- Lion
Day 5 ·
Maa Skandamata
The mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), worshipped on the fifth day for the well-being of children and family.
- Colour
- Yellow
- Bhog
- Bananas
- Vahan
- Lion
Day 6 ·
Maa Katyayani
The warrior form of Durga who defeated Mahishasura, worshipped on the sixth day.
- Colour
- Green
- Bhog
- Honey
- Vahan
- Lion
Day 7 ·
Maa Kalaratri
The fiercest of the nine forms, who destroys fear and darkness. She is worshipped on Saptami.
- Colour
- Grey
- Bhog
- Jaggery (gud)
- Vahan
- Donkey
Day 8 ·
Maa Mahagauri
The radiant, fair form of Parvati, linked with purity and calm and with Durga Ashtami.
- Colour
- Purple
- Bhog
- Coconut
- Vahan
- White bull
Day 9 ·
Maa Siddhidatri
The giver of siddhis, worshipped on the last day of Navratri along with Kanya Pujan and havan.
- Colour
- Peacock Green
- Bhog
- Til (sesame), halwa-puri-chana
- Vahan
- Lion, seated on a lotus
Navratri colours 2026
What colour to wear each day
The popular colour sequence starts from the weekday on which Navratri begins. Since 2026 opens on a Sunday, Day 1 is orange. During the festival, today’s colour is highlighted for you.
Colour lists vary slightly between sources and regions. Wear what feels right to you; devotion matters more than the shade.
Ghatasthapana 2026
Kalash sthapana and muhurat
Ghatasthapana is the ritual that opens Navratri. A kalash filled with holy water is placed beside a bed of sown barley, inviting the Goddess into the home for all nine days. It is done on Pratipada, ideally in the morning muhurat.
Date
Ghatasthapana muhurat6:19 AM – 10:11 AM
Abhijit muhurat11:44 AM – 12:30 PM
New Delhi timings. Rahu Kaal on 11 October is 4:28 PM – 5:56 PM, well after the morning muhurat.
Navratri ritual
Khetri
Khetri is a traditional Navratri ritual in which barley seeds are sown and allowed to grow during the nine days of the festival. The green sprouts are kept as a symbol of growth, prosperity and new beginnings.
How Khetri is prepared
Barley seeds are sown in a small clay pot or vessel.
The seeds are watered lightly and kept in a suitable place.
The sprouts grow during the nine days of Navratri.
The grown Khetri is traditionally used during the Navratri worship.
Celebrations
Garba, Dandiya and the nights in between
After the evening aarti, the music starts. From Gujarat to every big city in India and abroad, Navratri nights belong to circles of dancers moving to the dhol.
Garba
The name comes from garbha, the womb. Dancers move in circles around a lamp or the Goddess's image, a reminder that life turns in cycles. Claps, spins and simple step patterns like do-taali and teen-taali make it easy for anyone to join.
Dandiya Raas
Played in pairs with decorated wooden sticks, Dandiya recreates the battle between Maa Durga and Mahishasura; the sticks stand for her sword. Lines of partners strike in rhythm, rotate and meet new partners, and the tempo climbs as the night goes on.
Plan your Garba nights
Most Garba and Dandiya events run on all nine evenings. The weekend nights, Sunday 11 October and 17–18 October, are usually the busiest.
- Dress for movementChaniya choli or kediyu with a light dupatta, and pin anything that can slip.
- Mind your feetSoft juttis or flat sandals. Many venues are barefoot around the central garbo.
- Match the day's colourWear the Navratri colour of the day and your group photos will look planned.
- Book and hydratePopular venues sell passes early. Carry water, especially if you are fasting.
Navratri prasad
Bhog for each of the nine days
Each form of the Goddess is offered a simple, sattvik bhog. After the puja it is shared as prasad with family and neighbours.
After the nine nights
Durga Puja, Vijayadashami and Ayudha Puja
The last days of Navratri bring the biggest celebrations of the season.
Durga Puja 2026
In Bengal and eastern India, the Goddess arrives in grand pandals for Shashthi to Dashami. In 2026 Sandhi Puja falls on 19 October at 10:28 AM – 11:16 AM, and Bengal's Bijoya Dashami and Durga Visarjan fall on 21 October.
Vijayadashami (Dussehra) 2026
Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday, 20 October. The Vijay Muhurat in New Delhi is 1:59 PM – 2:44 PM, and Ravan Dahan follows after sunset at 5:46 PM.
Ayudha Puja: on Maha Navami, tools, vehicles, books and instruments are cleaned and worshipped, especially in South India. Read about Ayudha Puja 2026
Quick answers
Common questions about Navratri 2026
When does Navratri start in 2026?
Shardiya Navratri 2026 starts on Sunday, 11 October with Ghatasthapana and ends on Monday, 19 October. Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is on Tuesday, 20 October.
What is the Ghatasthapana muhurat for 2026?
In New Delhi the Ghatasthapana muhurat on 11 October is 6:19 AM to 10:11 AM. The Abhijit muhurat, 11:44 AM to 12:30 PM, can be used if you miss the morning window.
When is Durga Ashtami in 2026?
Most North Indian calendars keep Durga Ashtami on Monday, 19 October. Ashtami tithi ends at 10:52 AM that day and Navami begins, so Maha Navami and Kanya Pujan are on the same day. In Bengal, Maha Ashtami is also 19 October.
What is the Sandhi Puja time in 2026?
Sandhi Puja is on 19 October from 10:28 AM to 11:16 AM IST, the 48 minutes around the change from Ashtami to Navami. Because it depends on the tithi, the time is the same across India.