Chaitra Navratri 2026 Date — Thursday, March 19, 2026
When is Chaitra Navratri in 2026? Chaitra Navratri 2026 falls on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Observance: Chaitra Navratri Ghatasthapana. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Other years: Chaitra Navratri 2025 date · Chaitra Navratri 2027 date
Chaitra Navratri 2026 calendar — nine days, Devi forms & colours
| Night | Date & day | Devi | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Thu, 19 March 2026 | Shailputri | Yellow |
| Day 2 | Fri, 20 March 2026 | Brahmacharini | Green |
| Day 3 | Sat, 21 March 2026 | Chandraghanta | Grey |
| Day 4 | Sun, 22 March 2026 | Kushmanda | Orange |
| Day 5 | Mon, 23 March 2026 | Skandamata | White |
| Day 6 | Tue, 24 March 2026 | Katyayani | Red |
| Day 7 | Wed, 25 March 2026 | Kaalratri | Royal Blue |
| Day 8 | Thu, 26 March 2026 | Mahagauri | Yellow |
| Day 9 | Fri, 27 March 2026 | 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 2026 muhurat & timings — Delhi
| Sunrise | 06:26 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 06:31 pm |
| Moonrise | 06:24 am |
| Brahma Muhurat | 04:51 am – 05:38 am |
| Abhijit Muhurat | 12:05 pm – 12:53 pm |
| Rahu Kaal (avoid) | 01:59 pm – 03:30 pm |
| Tithi at sunrise | Krishna Amavasya |
| Nakshatra | Uttara Bhadrapada |
These are the day’s general muhurats and Rahu Kaal for Delhi, computed from the AllMandir panchang. Festival puja timings vary by tradition and city — open the full panchang for Thu, 19 March 2026 or ask your local mandir.
Chaitra Navratri 2026 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (Day 1) | Thu, 19 March 2026 | |
| Durga Ashtami (Day 8) | Thu, 26 March 2026 | |
| Ram Navami (Day 9) | Fri, 27 March 2026 | 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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Chaitra Navratri 2025 date |
| 2026 | Thu, 19 March 2026 |
| 2027 | Chaitra Navratri 2027 date |
| 2028 | Chaitra Navratri 2028 date |
Hindu festivals around Chaitra Navratri 2026
- Ugadi 2026 date — Thu, 19 March 2026
- Gudi Padwa 2026 date — Thu, 19 March 2026
- Ram Navami 2026 date — Fri, 27 March 2026
- Hanuman Jayanti 2026 date — Thu, 2 April 2026
- Holi 2026 date — Wed, 4 March 2026
- Holika Dahan 2026 date — Tue, 3 March 2026
- Vishu 2026 date — Tue, 14 April 2026
- Baisakhi 2026 date — Tue, 14 April 2026
- Tamil Puthandu 2026 date — Tue, 14 April 2026
- Maha Shivaratri 2026 date — Sun, 15 February 2026
- Akshaya Tritiya 2026 date — Mon, 20 April 2026
- Buddha Purnima 2026 date — Fri, 1 May 2026
Chaitra Navratri 2026 puja & muhurat timings in major cities
| City | Abhijit Muhurat | Rahu Kaal (avoid) | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 12:05 pm – 12:53 pm | 01:59 pm – 03:30 pm | 06:26 am | 06:31 pm |
| Mumbai | 12:22 pm – 01:10 pm | 02:17 pm – 03:47 pm | 06:43 am | 06:49 pm |
| Bengaluru | 12:03 pm – 12:51 pm | 01:58 pm – 03:28 pm | 06:24 am | 06:30 pm |
| Chennai | 11:52 am – 12:40 pm | 01:47 pm – 03:18 pm | 06:13 am | 06:19 pm |
| Hyderabad | 11:59 am – 12:48 pm | 01:54 pm – 03:25 pm | 06:21 am | 06:26 pm |
| Kolkata | 11:20 am – 12:08 pm | 01:15 pm – 02:45 pm | 05:41 am | 05:47 pm |
Times come from each city’s own sunrise, sunset and panchang for Thu, 19 March 2026.
Chaitra Navratri 2026 FAQ
What time is Abhijit Muhurat on Chaitra Navratri 2026 in Delhi?
Abhijit Muhurat in Delhi on Thu, 19 March 2026 is 12:05 pm – 12:53 pm (local time, AllMandir panchang). See the table for other cities.
