Introduction
Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. For families planning prayers, fasting, traditional outfits, Garba, Dandiya and festive activities, having the correct navratri calendar makes preparation much easier.
In 2026, Sharad Navratri begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026, and the nine-day celebration continues through Monday, 19 October 2026. Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Drik Panchang
Each Navratri day is associated with a form of Goddess Durga. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, the tradition of wearing a particular color each day is especially popular, making the festival both spiritually meaningful and visually vibrant. Drik Panchang
This complete guide explains the navratri calendar 2026, including dates, colors, important days, goddess names, traditions, celebration ideas and frequently asked questions.
Table of Contents
- Navratri Calendar 2026 at a Glance
- Navratri 2026 Dates and Colors
- Day 1 – Maa Shailputri
- Day 2 – Maa Brahmacharini
- Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta
- Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda
- Day 5 – Maa Skandamata
- Day 6 – Maa Katyayani
- Day 7 – Maa Kalaratri
- Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri
- Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri
- Ashtami, Navami and Vijayadashami
- Importance of Navratri Colors
- How Families Can Prepare
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Navratri Calendar 2026 at a Glance
The 2026 Sharad Navratri schedule provides nine consecutive festival days followed by Vijayadashami. The official color sequence for 2026 is based on the weekday on which Navratri begins. Drik Panchang
| Day | Date | Day | Color | Goddess |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 11 October 2026 | Sunday | Orange | Maa Shailputri |
| Day 2 | 12 October 2026 | Monday | White | Maa Brahmacharini |
| Day 3 | 13 October 2026 | Tuesday | Red | Maa Chandraghanta |
| Day 4 | 14 October 2026 | Wednesday | Royal Blue | Maa Kushmanda |
| Day 5 | 15 October 2026 | Thursday | Yellow | Maa Skandamata |
| Day 6 | 16 October 2026 | Friday | Green | Maa Katyayani |
| Day 7 | 17 October 2026 | Saturday | Grey | Maa Kalaratri |
| Day 8 | 18 October 2026 | Sunday | Purple | Maa Mahagauri |
| Day 9 | 19 October 2026 | Monday | Peacock Green | Maa Siddhidatri |
| Vijayadashami | 20 October 2026 | Tuesday | — | Victory of Dharma |
The nine colors and their dates are confirmed by the 2026 Navratri color calendar. Drik Panchang
Navratri Calendar Day 1 – Maa Shailputri
Date: 11 October 2026
Day: Sunday
Color: Orange
Goddess: Maa Shailputri
Navratri begins with the worship of Maa Shailputri, the first form of Navdurga. The name Shailputri is associated with the daughter of the mountains.
Orange is the first color of the 2026 Navratri color sequence. It represents warmth, enthusiasm and positive energy. Drik Panchang
How to celebrate Day 1
Families can begin the festival with:
- Ghatasthapana according to local tradition
- Home temple decoration
- Lighting a diya
- Offering flowers and fruits
- Wearing orange clothing
- Reciting Durga prayers
- Sharing Navratri wishes with family and friends
Day 1 is also a good opportunity to create a simple festive routine that can continue throughout the nine days.
Navratri Calendar Day 2 – Maa Brahmacharini
Date: 12 October 2026
Day: Monday
Color: White
Goddess: Maa Brahmacharini
The second day is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini. She represents devotion, discipline and spiritual strength.
White is associated with purity, peace and innocence. According to the 2026 color schedule, Monday, 12 October is the white-color day. Drik Panchang
Simple Day 2 ideas
You can keep the celebration peaceful and traditional by:
- Wearing white
- Decorating the prayer area with white flowers
- Spending a few quiet minutes in prayer
- Preparing a suitable fasting meal
- Visiting a nearby temple
- Teaching children about the significance of Navratri
For working families, even a short evening prayer can become a meaningful daily tradition.
Navratri Calendar Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta
Date: 13 October 2026
Day: Tuesday
Color: Red
Goddess: Maa Chandraghanta
Day 3 is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta. She is traditionally represented as a powerful form of Goddess Durga associated with courage and protection.
Red is the third color of the 2026 sequence. It is traditionally connected with energy, passion and strength. Drik Panchang
Make Day 3 more festive
Try adding red flowers, red decorative elements or a red dupatta to your home temple.
If you are celebrating with friends, a simple red-themed social media post can also help capture the festive atmosphere.
Navratri Calendar Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda
Date: 14 October 2026
Day: Wednesday
Color: Royal Blue
Goddess: Maa Kushmanda
The fourth day honors Maa Kushmanda, one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
The 2026 Navratri color for Wednesday, 14 October is Royal Blue. The color is associated with elegance, richness and tranquillity. Drik Panchang
Royal Blue celebration ideas
You can incorporate the color into:
- Traditional clothing
- Dupattas and sarees
- Rangoli designs
- Flower arrangements
- Home decorations
- Social media creatives
A Royal Blue and gold combination can create a beautiful traditional festive appearance.
Navratri Calendar Day 5 – Maa Skandamata
Date: 15 October 2026
Day: Thursday
Color: Yellow
Goddess: Maa Skandamata
Day 5 is dedicated to Maa Skandamata.
Yellow is the color for Thursday in the 2026 Navratri sequence. It represents optimism, happiness and warmth. Drik Panchang
Celebrate Day 5 with positivity
Yellow can easily be introduced into your home through flowers, clothing and decorations.
Families can also use Day 5 as an opportunity to share positive messages with loved ones. A simple “Happy Navratri” greeting combined with the day’s color can make an attractive social media post.
Navratri Calendar Day 6 – Maa Katyayani
Date: 16 October 2026
Day: Friday
Color: Green
Goddess: Maa Katyayani
The sixth day is dedicated to Maa Katyayani, a powerful form of Goddess Durga.
Green is associated with nature, growth, peace and new beginnings. It is the designated color for Friday, 16 October 2026. Drik Panchang
Green-themed Navratri celebration
Consider adding:
- Green sarees or kurtas
- Green bangles
- Green flowers
- Green rangoli elements
- Green-themed festive graphics
Green is particularly easy to incorporate into a natural decoration theme using leaves, plants and fresh flowers.
Navratri Calendar Day 7 – Maa Kalaratri
Date: 17 October 2026
Day: Saturday
Color: Grey
Goddess: Maa Kalaratri
Day 7 is dedicated to Maa Kalaratri, traditionally regarded as a powerful form of Goddess Durga.
The color for Saturday is Grey. The 2026 color guide associates grey with balanced emotions and a grounded quality. Drik Panchang
Day 7 celebration ideas
Grey may be less common in traditional festive clothing, but it can be combined beautifully with:
- Gold
- Silver
- White
- Black
- Traditional jewellery
For a modern festive look, a grey outfit with gold accessories can create an elegant appearance.
Navratri Calendar Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri
Date: 18 October 2026
Day: Sunday
Color: Purple
Goddess: Maa Mahagauri
Day 8 is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri.
Purple is the designated color for Sunday, 18 October 2026. It is traditionally associated with grandeur, nobility and richness. Drik Panchang
Why Day 8 is special
Ashtami is an important day during Navratri. Many devotees perform special prayers, fasting and devotional activities.
In some traditions, Kanya Puja is also performed around Ashtami or Navami. Customs can vary between families and regions, so devotees may follow their family tradition.
Navratri Calendar Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri
Date: 19 October 2026
Day: Monday
Color: Peacock Green
Goddess: Maa Siddhidatri
The ninth and final Navratri day is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri.
The color for Day 9 is Peacock Green, a distinctive combination of blue and green. The 2026 color calendar describes this shade as representing uniqueness, individuality, compassion and freshness. Drik Panchang
Day 9 is an important moment for devotees because it completes the nine-day worship cycle.
How to celebrate Day 9
You can make the final day special with:
- Peacock-green traditional clothing
- A decorated home temple
- Flowers and diyas
- Family prayers
- Navratri prasad
- Devotional music
- Sharing blessings with relatives and friends
If you are creating a nine-day social media series, Day 9 is also the perfect day for a final Navratri 2026 recap post.
Important Dates After the Nine Days
One common source of confusion is the difference between the ninth Navratri day and Vijayadashami.
The nine-day celebration ends on 19 October 2026, while Vijayadashami is on 20 October 2026. Drik Panchang
October 19 – Day 9
The final Navratri day is associated with Maa Siddhidatri and Peacock Green.
October 20 – Vijayadashami
The following day is Vijayadashami, popularly known as Dussehra. It marks the conclusion of the Navratri period and is celebrated as a festival of victory.
Therefore, if you are creating a festival schedule, remember:
Navratri Days: 11–19 October 2026
Vijayadashami: 20 October 2026
This distinction is especially useful when planning office celebrations, school activities, community events and social media calendars.
Why Navratri Colors Are Important
The nine colors are one of the most recognizable modern traditions associated with Navratri celebrations.
The color sequence changes from year to year because the first day’s color is linked to the weekday on which Navratri begins, followed by the established sequence. Drik Panchang
The tradition is particularly popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where people often plan their outfits around the daily Navratri colors. Drik Panchang
The 9 colors of 2026
- Orange – 11 October
- White – 12 October
- Red – 13 October
- Royal Blue – 14 October
- Yellow – 15 October
- Green – 16 October
- Grey – 17 October
- Purple – 18 October
- Peacock Green – 19 October
This makes the festival easy to plan for families who want to coordinate clothing, decorations and social media content.
How to Use the Navratri Calendar for Family Planning
A little preparation can make all nine days easier and more enjoyable.
1. Plan your outfits early
Instead of searching for a different color every morning, prepare the nine outfits beforehand.
You do not necessarily need nine completely new outfits. Existing sarees, kurtas, dupattas, shirts, jewellery or accessories can be used to match the daily color.
2. Prepare your prayer space
Keep your puja area clean and organized before Navratri begins.
You can add flowers, diyas, a clean cloth and traditional decorative elements according to your family’s customs.
3. Create a food plan
If your family observes fasting, prepare a simple meal plan before the festival.
Common fasting practices differ from one household to another, so follow your family’s established customs rather than assuming that one menu applies to everyone.
4. Mark important dates
Save the dates on your phone or print a copy of the navratri calendar.
This is especially useful for people managing work, school, travel and family celebrations.
Navratri Celebration Ideas for Modern Families
Navratri does not have to mean complicated preparation.
A simple family routine can make the festival memorable.
Morning prayer
Begin the day with a short prayer or devotional song.
Color-of-the-day tradition
Ask everyone in the family to wear at least one item in the day’s color.
Evening diya
Light a diya together in the evening and spend a few peaceful minutes away from phones and other distractions.
Family photography
Take one family photograph each day using the designated color.
After nine days, you will have a beautiful visual record of the celebration.
Social media series
Businesses, creators and families can create a simple nine-post series featuring:
- Day number
- Date
- Goddess
- Color
- Short devotional message
This is an easy way to share useful festival information while keeping your content consistent.
Navratri Calendar for Social Media Planning
The festival is also a useful opportunity for businesses and creators to plan seasonal content.
A simple content calendar can include one post for each day.
For example:
Day 1: “Navratri begins – Orange”
Day 2: “Peace and purity – White”
Day 3: “Strength and energy – Red”
Day 4: “Royal Blue elegance”
Day 5: “Yellow positivity”
Day 6: “Green growth”
Day 7: “Grey balance”
Day 8: “Purple grandeur”
Day 9: “Peacock Green celebration”
You can turn the same information into Instagram posts, Stories, Reels, WhatsApp status updates and Facebook posts.
The key is to keep the information accurate and avoid overcrowding the design.
A Simple Real-Life Example
Consider a family in Pune preparing for Navratri.
Instead of buying nine new outfits, they check their wardrobes first. They already have orange, white, red and green clothes. For the remaining colors, they purchase only a few accessories.
They then print the dates from the navratri calendar and put them on the refrigerator.
Every evening, the family lights a diya, offers prayers and takes one photograph matching the day’s color.
By the end of Day 9, they have completed a simple nine-day family tradition without spending too much time or money.
This approach works because Navratri is ultimately about devotion, family participation and tradition—not just shopping or decoration.
Navratri Calendar Checklist for 2026
Before Navratri begins, check these items:
- Save the 2026 Navratri dates
- Note all nine colors
- Plan traditional outfits
- Prepare your puja area
- Purchase flowers and diyas
- Plan fasting meals if applicable
- Check temple or community event schedules
- Plan Garba or Dandiya events
- Prepare festive greetings
- Mark Vijayadashami on 20 October
A simple checklist can prevent last-minute confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Navratri Calendar 2026
1. When does Navratri start in 2026?
Sharad Navratri begins on 11 October 2026, Sunday. Drik Panchang
2. When is the last day of Navratri in 2026?
The ninth day is 19 October 2026, Monday, with Peacock Green as the day’s color. Drik Panchang
3. What is the Navratri color for Day 9 in 2026?
The Day 9 color is Peacock Green. It falls on Monday, 19 October 2026. Drik Panchang
4. When is Vijayadashami in 2026?
Vijayadashami is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, immediately after the nine Navratri days. Drik Panchang
5. What are the nine Navratri colors in 2026?
The nine colors are Orange, White, Red, Royal Blue, Yellow, Green, Grey, Purple and Peacock Green. Drik Panchang
Conclusion
The navratri calendar 2026 makes it easier to organize nine days of prayer, celebration, traditional clothing and family activities.
From Maa Shailputri on 11 October to Maa Siddhidatri on 19 October, each day brings a different color and devotional focus. The celebration then continues into Vijayadashami on 20 October 2026. Drik Panchang
Whether you are planning your family’s Navratri celebrations, preparing social media content or simply looking for the correct dates and colors, keep this guide saved for quick reference.
Plan your nine colors, celebrate your traditions and make Navratri 2026 memorable. शुभ नवरात्रि! 🙏🌺