Chaitra Navratri 2026 Date — Thursday, March 19, 2026

Chaitra Navratri 2026 calendar — nine days, Devi forms & colours

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 2026 — full list of dates

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

1. Ghatasthapana (Day 1): establish kalash, invoke Durga, sow barley/jowar.
2. Daily: lamp, Devi stotram, offer flowers and naivedyam.
3. Color-coded dress optional per day; visit temples for alankaram darshan.
4. Kanya puja (invite young girls as Devi) on Ashtami or Navami in many homes.
5. Ayudha puja / Saraswati puja on Mahanavami in several regions.
6. Vijayadashami: visarjan, sindoor khela, and new beginnings.

Chaitra Navratri dates by year