Chaitra Navratri 2016 Date — Friday, April 8, 2016
When is Chaitra Navratri in 2016? Chaitra Navratri 2016 falls on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Observance: Chaitra Navratri Ghatasthapana. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Chaitra Navratri 2016 calendar — nine days, Devi forms & colours
| Night | Date & day | Devi | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fri, 8 April 2016 | Shailputri | Green |
| Day 2 | Sat, 9 April 2016 | Brahmacharini | Grey |
| Day 3 | Sat, 9 April 2016 | Chandraghanta | Grey |
| Day 4 | Sun, 10 April 2016 | Kushmanda | Orange |
| Day 5 | Mon, 11 April 2016 | Skandamata | White |
| Day 6 | Tue, 12 April 2016 | Katyayani | Red |
| Day 7 | Wed, 13 April 2016 | Kaalratri | Royal Blue |
| Day 8 | Thu, 14 April 2016 | Mahagauri | Yellow |
| Day 9 | Fri, 15 April 2016 | Siddhidatri | Green |
Navratri colours follow the weekday each night falls on, which is why the list changes every year. Some regional lists swap the last two colours for pink and purple — follow the one your community uses. When a tithi is doubled or dropped, two nights can share a date or a night can be skipped.
Chaitra Navratri 2016 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (Day 1) | Fri, 8 April 2016 | |
| Durga Ashtami (Day 8) | Thu, 14 April 2016 | |
| Ram Navami (Day 9) | Fri, 15 April 2016 | Concludes Chaitra Navratri |
Why we celebrate
Beginning of nine nights of Devi — installation of sacred kalash invoking Durga.
How it is celebrated
Daily Devi puja, golu/kolu display in South India, garba/dandiya in Gujarat, Durga puja in Bengal. Fasting or sattvic diet through nine days.
Puja timing
Morning and evening puja; Ghatasthapana on Day 1 during Shubh muhurta. Sandhya arati each night.
Foods & offerings
Fasting foods: sabudana, kuttu, fruits, milk. South India: sundal prasadam daily. Bengal: bhog to Ma Durga.
Rituals
- Ghatasthapana (Day 1): establish kalash, invoke Durga, sow barley/jowar.
- Daily: lamp, Devi stotram, offer flowers and naivedyam.
- Color-coded dress optional per day; visit temples for alankaram darshan.
- Kanya puja (invite young girls as Devi) on Ashtami or Navami in many homes.
- Ayudha puja / Saraswati puja on Mahanavami in several regions.
- Vijayadashami: visarjan, sindoor khela, and new beginnings.
Chaitra Navratri dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Sat, 21 March 2015 |
| 2016 | Fri, 8 April 2016 |
| 2017 | Tue, 28 March 2017 |
| 2018 | Sun, 18 March 2018 |
| 2019 | Sat, 6 April 2019 |
Hindu festivals around Chaitra Navratri 2016
- Ugadi 2016 date — Fri, 8 April 2016
- Gudi Padwa 2016 date — Fri, 8 April 2016
- Vishu 2016 date — Wed, 13 April 2016
- Baisakhi 2016 date — Wed, 13 April 2016
- Tamil Puthandu 2016 date — Wed, 13 April 2016
- Ram Navami 2016 date — Fri, 15 April 2016
- Hanuman Jayanti 2016 date — Fri, 22 April 2016
- Holi 2016 date — Thu, 24 March 2016
- Holika Dahan 2016 date — Wed, 23 March 2016
- Akshaya Tritiya 2016 date — Mon, 9 May 2016
- Maha Shivaratri 2016 date — Mon, 7 March 2016
- Buddha Purnima 2016 date — Sat, 21 May 2016
