When is Navratri 2026: Know Date, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, 9 Days of Navratri, Colours, Puja Timings and Significance

Shardiya Navratri 2026 will begin on Sunday, October 11, and continue for nine days until Monday, October 19, with Vijayadashami/Dussehra falling on Tuesday, October 20. The festival begins with Ghatasthapana and the worship of Maa Shailputri and concludes with the worship of Maa Siddhidatri.

Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms, collectively known as Navdurga. During these nine nights, devotees observe fasting, perform daily puja, chant mantras and visit temples to seek the Goddess's blessings for strength, prosperity, protection and spiritual growth.

For those planning their Navratri rituals, here is the complete Navratri 2026 calendar, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, nine colours, Navdurga schedule, important puja timings and significance.


Also Read: October 2026 Hindu Festival Calendar: Indira Ekadashi, Navratri, Dussehra, Sharad Purnima, Karwa Chauth Dates

When Is Navratri 2026?

Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11. The Pratipada Tithi begins at 9:19 PM on October 10 and ends at 9:30 PM on October 11, making October 11 the first day of Navratri according to the sunrise-based Hindu calendar. The nine-day worship period runs from October 11 to October 19. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami will be observed on October 19, while Vijayadashami will be celebrated on October 20.

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Navratri 2026 Key Dates

Event	Date
Navratri Begins	October 11, 2026, Sunday
Ghatasthapana	October 11, 2026
Durga Ashtami	October 19, 2026
Maha Navami	October 19, 2026
Vijayadashami/Dussehra	October 20, 2026, Tuesday

Navratri 2026 Ghatasthapana Muhurat

Ghatasthapana, also called Kalash Sthapana, marks the formal beginning of Navratri worship. During this ritual, a sacred kalash is established and Goddess Shakti is invoked. For Delhi and nearby North Indian locations, the main Ghatasthapana Muhurat on October 11 is: 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM. The duration of the primary muhurat is about 3 hours and 52 minutes. An Abhijit Muhurat from 11:44 AM to 12:31 PM is also available as an alternative window.

Since Hindu Panchang timings depend on location, the exact Ghatasthapana window can differ slightly from one city to another. Devotees should therefore check their local Panchang before performing the ritual.

What Is Ghatasthapana?

Ghatasthapana involves establishing a sacred pot or kalash, usually filled with water and decorated with mango leaves and a coconut. Barley or other auspicious grains may also be sown near the kalash as part of the traditional setup. The ritual symbolises invoking divine feminine energy into the home and beginning the nine-day worship of Goddess Durga. It is traditionally performed during the prescribed Pratipada muhurat rather than at an arbitrary time.

Navratri 2026: 9 Days, 9 Goddesses and Colours

Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga. The traditional colour associated with each day also changes according to the weekday sequence.

Day	Date	Goddess	Navratri Colour
Day 1	October 11	Maa Shailputri	Orange
Day 2	October 12	Maa Brahmacharini	White
Day 3	October 13	Maa Chandraghanta	Red
Day 4	October 14	Maa Kushmanda	Royal Blue
Day 5	October 15	Maa Skandamata	Yellow
Day 6	October 16	Maa Katyayani	Green
Day 7	October 17	Maa Kalaratri	Grey
Day 8	October 18	Maa Mahagauri	Purple
Day 9	October 19	Maa Siddhidatri	Peacock Green

The 2026 colour sequence begins with orange because the first day falls on a Sunday, after which the traditional colour cycle continues through the remaining eight days.

Day 1 – Maa Shailputri

October 11 | Orange

The first day is dedicated to Maa Shailputri, regarded as the daughter of the Himalayas. Devotees begin Navratri with Ghatasthapana and prayers to the Goddess. Orange is associated with warmth, enthusiasm and positive energy.

Day 2 – Maa Brahmacharini

October 12 | White

Maa Brahmacharini represents devotion, penance and spiritual discipline. Devotees seek patience and inner strength through her worship. White is traditionally associated with purity, peace and innocence.

Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta

October 13 | Red

The third day is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, whose worship is associated with courage and protection. Red symbolises energy, passion and strength and is also widely associated with offerings made to Goddess Durga.

Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda

October 14 | Royal Blue

Maa Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day. She is traditionally associated with creative energy and the sustaining force of the universe. Royal blue represents richness, tranquillity and dignity.

Day 5 – Maa Skandamata

October 15 | Yellow

The fifth day honours Maa Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya. Devotees pray for happiness, wisdom and family wellbeing. Yellow is associated with optimism, joy and auspiciousness.

Day 6 – Maa Katyayani

October 16 | Green

Maa Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day. She represents the powerful warrior aspect of the Goddess. Green is associated with growth, harmony, nature and new beginnings.

Day 7 – Maa Kalaratri

October 17 | Grey

The seventh day is dedicated to Maa Kalaratri, a fierce manifestation of Goddess Durga. Devotees seek protection from negativity and fear. Grey represents balance and grounded energy.

Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri

October 18 | Purple

Maa Mahagauri represents purity and spiritual transformation. Ashtami worship is particularly important for many devotees. Purple is associated with grandeur, nobility and spiritual richness.

Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri

October 19 | Peacock Green

The ninth day is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri. She is traditionally worshipped as the Goddess associated with spiritual accomplishments and divine blessings. Peacock green combines the qualities associated with blue and green and is traditionally linked with freshness and individuality.

Navratri 2026 Puja Timings and Important Rituals

There is no single fixed daily puja time applicable to every city throughout Navratri. Local sunrise, sunset, tithi and Panchang calculations can affect the appropriate timing. However, devotees commonly perform morning puja after bathing and cleaning the worship area, followed by an evening prayer or aarti.

The major rituals observed during Navratri include:

• Ghatasthapana/Kalash Sthapana on Day 1
• Daily worship of the respective Navdurga form
• Lighting a diya during morning and evening prayers
• Recitation of Durga Saptashati or Devi-related mantras
• Navratri fasting or a sattvik diet
• Offering flowers, fruits, bhog and prasad
• Kanya Puja/Kanjak around Ashtami or Navami
• Sandhi Puja and other regional rituals
• Navami Homa in traditions where it is observed
• Vijayadashami and Durga Visarjan on October 20

Navratri customs vary considerably across regions and communities. For example, Durga Puja traditions in West Bengal have their own distinct sequence and rituals, while Gujarat and Maharashtra are particularly known for Navratri Garba and Dandiya celebrations.

Navratri 2026: Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami

One important calendar point for 2026 is that Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall on the same date, October 19, because of the way the lunar tithis overlap. The ninth day is therefore particularly significant for devotees completing their Navratri worship. Kanya Puja is also commonly performed on Ashtami or Navami. Young girls are traditionally invited, worshipped as manifestations of the Goddess and offered food and gifts.

When Is Dussehra 2026?

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. It follows the nine-day Navratri worship period. In the Devi tradition, Vijayadashami marks the culmination of Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura. In other Hindu traditions, the day is associated with Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. Thus, the festival broadly represents the triumph of dharma and good over evil.