Navratri 2026: 9 Days, Colors, Goddess Names, Puja & Significance

Quick answer: Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11 and runs through Monday, October 19, followed by Vijayadashami/Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20. Each of the nine nights honours a form of Goddess Durga and, by popular tradition, a daily color. Tithi and muhurat vary by location — use a local panchang for Ghatasthapana and Sandhi Puja.

During these nine nights, devotees worship the nine forms of Devi (Navadurga) with prayers, fasting, puja, Garba and Dandiya. This guide covers the Navratri 2026 dates, nine Goddess forms, the daily colors, puja, fasting and the significance of each day. For the community-events and NRI angle, see our Navratri 2026 USA guide.

Navratri 2026 dates

The nine forms of Devi (Navadurga)

1. Shailputri — daughter of the mountains; the journey begins with Ghatasthapana.
2. Brahmacharini — devotion, austerity and spiritual discipline.
3. Chandraghanta — the crescent-moon form, worshipped for courage and peace.
4. Kushmanda — the cosmic creative energy.
5. Skandamata — mother of Skanda (Kartikeya); motherhood and protection.
6. Katyayani — the warrior form of Devi.
7. Kalaratri — the fierce, protective aspect.
8. Mahagauri — serene and pure; commonly observed as Durga Ashtami.
9. Siddhidatri — giver of siddhis; observed as Maha Navami.

Names and sequence can vary between regional traditions and calendars.

Navratri 2026 colors (commonly published)

Many families enjoy dressing in a daily Navratri color:

The color tradition is not universal — different regional calendars may publish different sequences, and the day-to-color mapping shifts with the weekday each year.

Ghatasthapana and daily puja

Ghatasthapana (kalash installation) marks the start of worship. A simple home observance: clean the puja space, place a Devi image or murti, light a diya, offer flowers and fruits or naivedyam, recite Devi stotras, perform aarti, and observe fasting if appropriate. Muhurat timings differ by city — do not copy Indian times abroad; use a local panchang, especially for Ghatasthapana and Sandhi Puja.

Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami & Vijayadashami

• Durga Ashtami (Oct 18) — Ashtami/Mahagauri puja, Kanya Puja, Sandhi Puja and Devi offerings.
• Maha Navami (Oct 19) — Navami homa, Kanya Puja and, in many traditions, Ayudha Puja.
• Vijayadashami / Dussehra (Oct 20) — Rama's victory over Ravana and Durga's victory over Mahishasura; Shami Puja, Ayudha Puja and new beginnings. See our Dussehra 2026 USA guide.

Navratri fasting

Fasting practices differ by family and region and may include fruits, milk, yogurt, nuts, potatoes, sabudana and specific fasting grains. Fasting is a religious tradition, not medical advice — those with medical conditions, children, older adults and pregnant women should seek professional guidance before restrictive fasting.

Frequently asked questions

When does Navratri start in 2026?

Sharad Navratri begins October 11, 2026 and runs through October 19, with Vijayadashami on October 20.

What are the nine forms of Goddess Durga?

Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

What color should I wear on Navratri 2026?

A commonly published 2026 sequence runs orange, white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green — but color traditions vary by region.

When are Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami 2026?

Durga Ashtami is October 18 and Maha Navami is October 19, 2026 in the commonly used sequence.

Explore more

• Navratri 2026 USA — dates, Garba, Dandiya & NRI guide
• Navratri 2026 — complete NRI/diaspora guide
• Dussehra 2026 in the USA — state by state

Festival dates and colors follow commonly published panchang sources; tithi and muhurat can be location-sensitive — verify with a local panchang.