Navratri 2026 date and time: When does Navratri begin? Full 9-day colours and goddess list

Shardiya Navratri 2026 will begin on Sunday, October 11 and continue through Monday, October 19, with Vijayadashami or Dussehra falling on Tuesday, October 20. Since the festival begins on a Sunday, the nine-day colour sequence starts with orange and moves through white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green.

Each day of Navratri is associated with a particular colour and one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as the Navadurga. Wearing the colour assigned to the day is a popular festive tradition, particularly during garba, puja and other Navratri celebrations.

Navratri 2026 colours and dates

The complete Navratri 2026 colour chart, along with the corresponding day and goddess, is as follows:

Day	Date	Colour	Goddess
Day 1	October 11, Sunday	Orange	Maa Shailaputri
Day 2	October 12, Monday	White	Maa Brahmacharini
Day 3	October 13, Tuesday	Red	Maa Chandraghanta
Day 4	October 14, Wednesday	Royal blue	Maa Kushmanda
Day 5	October 15, Thursday	Yellow	Maa Skandamata
Day 6	October 16, Friday	Green	Maa Katyayani
Day 7	October 17, Saturday	Grey	Maa Kalaratri
Day 8	October 18, Sunday	Purple	Maa Mahagauri
Day 9	October 19, Monday	Peacock green	Maa Siddhidatri

Panchang sources list October 11 as the first day of Shardiya Navratri, with Ghatasthapana and Shailaputri Puja, while October 20 marks Vijayadashami.

Why the Navratri colours change every year

The sequence of Navratri colours is not identical every year. The starting colour is linked to the weekday on which the festival begins. The traditional weekday colour cycle is:

Weekday	Colour	Ruling planet
Sunday	Orange	Sun
Monday	White	Moon
Tuesday	Red	Mars
Wednesday	Royal blue	Mercury
Thursday	Yellow	Jupiter
Friday	Green	Venus
Saturday	Grey	Saturn

Because Navratri is observed over nine days, the sequence extends beyond the seven weekday colours. The remaining two shades are traditionally represented by purple and peacock green in the 2026 sequence.

This means devotees should check the colour chart for the particular year rather than assuming that the same colour will fall on the same festival date every year.

What the nine Navratri colours represent

The colours are associated with different qualities and symbolic meanings. Their significance can vary across traditions, but the commonly attributed associations include:

Orange: energy and positivity

Orange is associated with warmth, enthusiasm, brightness and energy. As the colour for the first day in 2026, it marks the beginning of the nine-day celebration.

White: peace and purity

White is commonly linked with purity, calmness, peace and simplicity. It is associated with the second day, when devotees worship Maa Brahmacharini.

Red: strength and auspiciousness

Red represents energy, passion, strength and auspiciousness. It is also strongly associated with Goddess Durga and is traditionally used in offerings and festive decorations.

Royal blue: depth and richness

Royal blue is associated with stability, depth, richness and a sense of divine power. It is the colour assigned to the fourth day of Navratri in 2026.

Yellow: joy and wisdom

Yellow is linked with happiness, optimism, warmth and brightness. It is also associated with learning and wisdom and falls on the fifth day in 2026.

Green: growth and renewal

Green represents nature, growth, freshness and new beginnings. It is the sixth day's colour in the 2026 Navratri sequence.

Grey: balance and stability

Grey is associated with balance, groundedness and composure. It is the colour for the seventh day, dedicated to Maa Kalaratri.

Purple: dignity and spiritual fulfilment

Purple is traditionally associated with dignity, ambition, richness and spiritual fulfilment. It appears on the eighth day of the 2026 sequence.

Peacock green: freshness and harmony

Peacock green combines blue and green and is associated with freshness, individuality and harmony. It is the colour assigned to the ninth day in 2026.

The nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped during Navratri

The nine colours are also connected with the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped across the festival.

• Day 1, Maa Shailaputri: Worshipped on Pratipada, Shailaputri is regarded as the daughter of the mountains.
• Day 2, Maa Brahmacharini: Associated with penance, devotion, discipline and spiritual strength.
• Day 3, Maa Chandraghanta: Known for the crescent moon on her forehead and associated with courage and protection.
• Day 4, Maa Kushmanda: Traditionally regarded as the creator associated with cosmic energy and light.
• Day 5, Maa Skandamata: The mother of Lord Kartikeya, worshipped as a nurturing and protective form.
• Day 6, Maa Katyayani: A powerful form of Durga associated with courage and the destruction of evil.
• Day 7, Maa Kalaratri: A fierce form of the Goddess associated with protection and the removal of fear.
• Day 8, Maa Mahagauri: A serene form associated with purity, peace and spiritual cleansing.
• Day 9, Maa Siddhidatri: Worshipped on Navami and associated with spiritual accomplishments and divine blessings.

How people use the Navratri colours

Wearing the day's colour is one of the most visible Navratri traditions. Devotees may choose an outfit, dupatta, kurta, saree or another accessory in the designated shade.

The colours can also be incorporated into Navratri celebrations at home. Flowers, fabrics, chunris, rangoli designs and other decorations can be coordinated with the colour of the day. Some families also use the day's shade while decorating their puja area.

These colour traditions are generally followed as part of the festive atmosphere rather than as a mandatory religious requirement. Practices can differ between families, communities and regions.

Ghatasthapana and the beginning of Navratri

Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of the Navratri worship in many households. In 2026, it falls on October 11, the first day of the festival. Panchang timings for rituals can vary according to location, so devotees should check a local panchang for the applicable muhurat.

The nine days conclude on October 19, while Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, will be observed on October 20.