Navratri 2026 Dates and Colours: Is It Starting on October 10 or 11? Check All 9 Colours With Dates; Dussehra Date and Festival Calendar

Navratri 2026: Is It October 10 or October 11?

The first Navratri is on October 11, 2026.

The confusion exists because Pratipada Tithi begins at 9:19 PM on October 10 and ends at 9:30 PM on October 11. Therefore, October 10 is important in the Panchang because the tithi begins that night, but Pehla Navratri and Ghatasthapana are observed on October 11.

The transition is:


October 10 - Pratipada Tithi begins at night

October 11 - Pehla Navratri and Ghatasthapana

Pehla Navratri 2026 Kab Hai?

Pehla Navratri 2026 is on Sunday, October 11.

The day marks Shukla Pratipada and the worship of Maa Shailputri, the first form of Navdurga.

Ghatasthapana is also performed on October 11.

Read More: Navratri 2026: Date, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, 9 Days of Navratri Puja Timings and Significance

Navratri 2026 Ghatasthapana Muhurat

For New Delhi, Ghatasthapana Muhurat on October 11 is:

• Ghatasthapana Muhurat: 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM
• Abhijit Muhurat: 11:44 AM to 12:31 PM
• Pratipada Tithi Begins: October 10 at 9:19 PM
• Pratipada Tithi Ends: October 11 at 9:30 PM

The Ghatasthapana timing is location-specific, so devotees in other cities should check their local Panchang.

Navratri 2026: Why October 18 And October 19 Are Confusing

The 2026 Navratri calendar has an unusual tithi sequence that can make searches for Navratri Day 8, Ashtami and Maha Navami confusing.

October 18 is the eighth calendar day of Navratri, but Saptami continues at sunrise.

Ashtami Tithi begins at 8:27 AM on October 18 and ends at 10:51 AM on October 19 in the New Delhi calculation.

This is why simply counting eight days from October 11 can produce a different answer from the festival observance based on the prevailing tithi.

So, Is October 18 Ashtami Or Saptami?

At sunrise on October 18, the relevant tithi is Saptami. Ashtami begins later that morning.

The main Durga Ashtami/Maha Ashtami observance is on October 19.

This distinction explains why some Navratri calendars can appear to show October 18 and October 19 differently.

Also Read: Navratri 2026 vs Durga Puja 2026: What's the Difference and Why Are Both Celebrated?

Navratri 2026 Colours: What Colour To Wear Each Day?

The Navratri colours 2026 sequence begins with Orange on October 11 because the first day of Sharad Navratri falls on a Sunday. The nine colours traditionally followed in the 2026 calendar are:

Date	Day	Navratri Colour
October 11	Sunday	Orange
October 12	Monday	White
October 13	Tuesday	Red
October 14	Wednesday	Royal Blue
October 15	Thursday	Yellow
October 16	Friday	Green
October 17	Saturday	Grey
October 18	Sunday	Purple
October 19	Monday	Peacock Green

Navratri 2026 Colours: Full Day-Wise List

October 11 - Orange

Day 1 colour: Orange

The first Navratri falls on Sunday, October 11. Orange is the first colour in the 2026 Navratri colour sequence.

October 12 - White

Day 2 colour: White

The second day falls on Monday, October 12, and the colour for the day is White.

October 13 - Red

Day 3 colour: Red

Tuesday, October 13, is associated with Red in the 2026 Navratri colour calendar.

October 14 - Royal Blue

Day 4 colour: Royal Blue

Wednesday, October 14, brings Royal Blue as the fourth Navratri colour.

October 15 - Yellow

Day 5 colour: Yellow

Yellow is the colour for Thursday, October 15.

October 16 - Green

Day 6 colour: Green

Green is the sixth colour in the 2026 sequence and falls on Friday, October 16.

October 17 - Grey

Day 7 colour: Grey

Saturday, October 17, is associated with Grey.

October 18 - Purple

Day 8 colour: Purple

Purple is listed for Sunday, October 18.

October 19 - Peacock Green

Day 9 colour: Peacock Green

The final colour in the 2026 nine-colour sequence is Peacock Green on Monday, October 19.

Durga Ashtami 2026: When Is Maha Ashtami?

Durga Ashtami 2026 will be observed on Monday, October 19.

Ashtami Tithi begins on October 18 and ends on October 19. In the New Delhi Panchang calculation, the major Ashtami observance falls on October 19.

The same date also carries Maha Navami observances, making October 19 an important day in the 2026 Navratri calendar.

Maha Navami 2026: When Is Navami?

Maha Navami 2026 will be observed on Monday, October 19.

Navami Tithi begins at 10:51 AM on October 19 and continues until 12:50 PM on October 20 in the New Delhi calculation. This overlap is one of the reasons the 2026 Navratri calendar looks different from a simple nine-day sequence.

Dussehra 2026 Date: When Is Vijayadashami?

Dussehra 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20.

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, follows the Ashtami and Navami observances and marks the culmination of the Navratri period. In the New Delhi Panchang, Dashami Tithi begins at 12:50 PM on October 20 and continues until 2:11 PM on October 21, while Vijayadashami is observed on October 20.

Why Is Dussehra After Navratri?

Dussehra comes immediately after the Navratri observances in the festival calendar.

The sequence in 2026 is:

October 17 - Navratri Day 7October 18 - Eighth calendar day; Saptami at sunriseOctober 19 - Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami observancesOctober 20 - Vijayadashami/Dussehra

The day is associated with the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and, in another major religious tradition, Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.

Dussehra 2026 Muhurat: Vijay Muhurat In Delhi

For New Delhi, the Vijay Muhurat on October 20 is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM.

The Dashami Tithi begins at 12:50 PM on October 20. Local timings can vary by city, so devotees should check the Panchang for their location before planning rituals.

Dussehra 2026 And Diwali 2026: How Many Days Apart?

For readers searching “when is Dussehra and Diwali in 2026”, Dussehra falls on October 20, while Diwali/Lakshmi Puja will be observed on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

This places the two major festivals 19 days apart in 2026.

Dussehra: October 20, 2026
Diwali: November 8, 2026

Last Shradh 2026: What Happens Before Navratri?

Pitru Paksha 2026 ends on October 10 with Sarva Pitru Amavasya.

Sharad Navratri begins the following day, October 11.

This creates a significant festival transition:

October 10 - Last Shradh / Sarva Pitru AmavasyaOctober 11 - Pehla Navratri / Ghatasthapana

The close timing also explains why searches for Pitru Paksha 2026 dates and first Navratri 2026 are rising together.

Navratri 2026: Key Dates To Remember

Instead of a day-by-day festival table, the most important dates are:

• October 10: Sarva Pitru Amavasya; Pratipada begins at night
• October 11: Pehla Navratri, Ghatasthapana, Orange colour
• October 17: Day 7, Grey colour
• October 18: Day 8, Purple colour; Ashtami Tithi begins
• October 19: Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, Peacock Green
• October 20: Vijayadashami/Dussehra

Navratri 2026 FAQs