Navratri 2026 Dates: All Four Navratris, Chaitra, Shardiya, Durga Puja
A complete calendar of all four Navratris in 2026 with day-by-day dates, Ghatasthapana muhurat, the nine daily colours, and Durga Puja 2026 schedule.
All four Navratri 2026 dates
There are four Navratris in the Hindu calendar every year. Two are public, widely celebrated festivals; two are Gupt (hidden) Navratris observed mainly in Tantric and Shakta traditions.
| Navratri | Dates 2026 | Navami | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magha Gupt Navratri 2026 | January 29 – February 6, 2026 | February 6, 2026 | First of the two hidden Navratris; observed mainly for Tantric and Shakta sadhana |
| Chaitra Navratri 2026 | March 20 – March 28, 2026 | March 28, 2026 (Ram Navami) | Main spring Navratri; begins on Ugadi/Gudi Padwa day; ends on Ram Navami |
| Ashadha Gupt Navratri 2026 | July 1 – July 9, 2026 | July 9, 2026 | Second hidden Navratri; falls during Chaturmas but still observed for Devi worship |
| Shardiya Navratri 2026 | October 13 – October 21, 2026 | October 21, 2026 (Maha Navami) | The most widely celebrated Navratri; Durga Puja culminates here; Dussehra October 22 |
Dates are approximate based on the Vikram Samvat 2083 panchang. Exact tithi start and end times vary by location.
Chaitra Navratri 2026: day-by-day dates and colours
Chaitra Navratri begins on the first day of the Hindu new year (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada) and ends on Ram Navami. In 2026, it falls in March. This is also the spring festival of Maa Durga and coincides with Ugadi and Gudi Padwa in many states.
| Day | Date | Deity | Colour | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | March 20 (Fri) | Shailputri | Red | Ghatasthapana; new moon phase begins |
| Day 2 | March 21 (Sat) | Brahmacharini | Royal Blue | Ugadi/Gudi Padwa falls on Day 1-2 in some regions |
| Day 3 | March 22 (Sun) | Chandraghanta | Yellow | Auspicious for new beginnings |
| Day 4 | March 23 (Mon) | Kushmanda | Green | Monday is associated with Moon; powerful for worship |
| Day 5 | March 24 (Tue) | Skandamata | Grey | Panchami; traditionally auspicious for Devi puja |
| Day 6 | March 25 (Wed) | Katyayani | Orange | Shashthi; Kanya Puja often done this day |
| Day 7 | March 26 (Thu) | Kalaratri | White | Saptami; Saptashati reading traditionally done over 3 days from here |
| Day 8 | March 27 (Fri) | Mahagauri | Pink | Ashtami; Kanya Puja and Havan; major fasting day |
| Day 9 | March 28 (Sat) | Siddhidatri | Sky Blue | Navami; Ram Navami; Navami Havan and Visarjan |
Shardiya Navratri 2026 (October): day-by-day dates
Shardiya Navratri is the most widely celebrated of the four Navratris, observed with fasting, garba, dandiya, and large pandals across India. It falls in Ashwin month (September-October), specifically starting on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada. In 2026 this falls in mid-October.
| Day | Date | Deity | Colour | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Oct 13 (Tue) | Shailputri | Red | Ghatasthapana; Maa Durga is invoked |
| Day 2 | Oct 14 (Wed) | Brahmacharini | Royal Blue | Fasting; deity puja |
| Day 3 | Oct 15 (Thu) | Chandraghanta | Yellow | Sindoor and vermilion offerings |
| Day 4 | Oct 16 (Fri) | Kushmanda | Green | Kumari Puja in Bengal begins |
| Day 5 | Oct 17 (Sat) | Skandamata | Grey | Lalita Panchami in South India |
| Day 6 | Oct 18 (Sun) | Katyayani | Orange | Durga Shashthi; Durga Puja pandal worship begins |
| Day 7 | Oct 19 (Mon) | Kalaratri | White | Maha Saptami; Prana Pratishtha in Bengal pandals |
| Day 8 | Oct 20 (Tue) | Mahagauri | Pink | Maha Ashtami; Sandhi Puja; most important puja night |
| Day 9 | Oct 21 (Wed) | Siddhidatri | Sky Blue | Maha Navami; Havan; Kanya Puja; Navami fasting |
Durga Puja 2026 dates
Durga Puja is the culminating celebration of Shardiya Navratri, especially in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and the diaspora. The five main days of Durga Puja in 2026:
- Shashthi (October 18, 2026): Durga Bodhon; deity is unveiled and welcomed; pandals begin public worship
- Maha Saptami (October 19, 2026): Navapattrika Snan (bathing of nine-plant bundle); morning rituals
- Maha Ashtami (October 20, 2026): Sandhi Puja at the junction of Ashtami and Navami; Pushpanjali; most intense puja day
- Maha Navami (October 21, 2026): Havan and Kumari Puja; last day of the full Durga form
- Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra (October 22, 2026): Sindoor Khela; immersion procession (Visarjan); Ravan Dahan in North India
Gupt Navratri 2026 dates and significance
The two Gupt Navratris are lesser-known but significant in Shakta tradition. "Gupt" means hidden: these Navratris are said to be especially powerful for sadhana (spiritual practice) of the Dasha Mahavidyas, the ten tantric forms of the Goddess.
Magha Gupt Navratri 2026 runs from January 29 to February 6. It falls during Magha month, which is itself considered auspicious. Practitioners observe fasting, mantra japa and Havan during these nine days.
Ashadha Gupt Navratri 2026 runs from July 1 to July 9, overlapping with the start of Chaturmas (the four-month period beginning around the same time). This Navratri is dedicated especially to Goddess Chamunda and other fierce forms.
Frequently asked questions
Navratri 2026 date kya hai?
2026 mein chaar Navratri hain. Chaitra Navratri: March 20 se March 28 tak. Ashadha Gupt Navratri: July 1 se July 9 tak. Shardiya Navratri: October 13 se October 21 tak. Magha Gupt Navratri: January 29 se February 6 tak. Sabse zyada celebrate ki jaane wali Shardiya Navratri October 2026 mein hai, aur Durga Puja October 19-22 ke aas paas hai.
Chaitra Navratri 2026 kab hai?
Chaitra Navratri 2026 March 20 (shukravaar) se shuru hokar March 28 (shanivaar) tak chalegi. March 20 ko Ghatasthapana hoga. March 28 Ram Navami hai, jo Navami ka din bhi hai. Yeh Navratri Ugadi aur Gudi Padwa (Hindu Naya Saal) ke saath milti hai.
Navratri 2026 date in October: when is Shardiya Navratri?
Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins on October 13 (Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, Ghatasthapana) and ends on October 21 (Maha Navami). Vijayadashami and Dussehra fall on October 22, 2026. Durga Puja celebrations (Saptami, Ashtami, Navami) run October 19 to 21.
When is Durga Puja 2026?
Durga Puja 2026 is observed during Shardiya Navratri. The main days are Maha Saptami (October 19), Maha Ashtami (October 20), Maha Navami (October 21), and Vijayadashami / Sindoor Khela (October 22). In West Bengal and other states, pandal decoration and large-scale celebrations begin from Shashthi (October 18).
Gupt Navratri 2026 kab hai?
2026 mein do Gupt Navratri hain. Magha Gupt Navratri January 29 se February 6, 2026 tak. Ashadha Gupt Navratri July 1 se July 9, 2026 tak. Gupt Navratri mainly Tantric aur Shakta traditions mein observe ki jaati hai; is dauran Dasha Mahavidyaon ki puja ki jaati hai.
Navratri mein kaunse rang pehnne chahiye? (Hindi)
Har Navratri ke nau din ka ek alag rang hota hai. Chaitra Navratri 2026 ke liye: Day 1 Red, Day 2 Royal Blue, Day 3 Yellow, Day 4 Green, Day 5 Grey, Day 6 Orange, Day 7 White, Day 8 Pink, Day 9 Sky Blue. Yeh rang Maa Durga ke nau roopon se jude hain aur is din woh rang pehenna shubh mana jata hai.
What is Ghatasthapana and when is it in 2026?
Ghatasthapana is the ritual that begins Navratri: a clay pot (kalash) is filled with water, seeds are sown in sand placed inside the pot, and an idol or image of Maa Durga is installed. The seeds sprouting during the nine days is a sign of blessings. In 2026, Ghatasthapana for Chaitra Navratri is March 20 and for Shardiya Navratri is October 13. The exact auspicious time (muhurat) for Ghatasthapana is calculated from the local panchang.
Want the exact Ghatasthapana muhurat for your city, or a personal puja consultation for Navratri 2026? A Vyom Vaani astrologer can calculate the precise timing from your local panchang on WhatsApp.
What is the difference between Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri?
Chaitra Navratri, March 20-28, 2026, marks the Hindu New Year (Ugadi) and the advent of spring. It is celebrated more prominently in North India. Shardiya Navratri, October 13-21, 2026, falls after the monsoon season and is the larger pan-India festival, culminating in Dussehra. Both honor the nine forms of Devi, but Shardiya Navratri has more elaborate public celebrations, dandiya and garba events, and the Ramlila cycle running concurrently in many places.
What should one eat or avoid during Navratri fasting?
The Navratri fast traditionally excludes grains (wheat, rice), pulses, meat, alcohol, onion, and garlic. Permitted foods include singhare ki atta (water chestnut flour), kuttu (buckwheat), rajgira (amaranth), sabudana (tapioca), fruits, milk, curd, sendha namak (rock salt), and non-grainy vegetables. Regional variations exist: some communities also avoid certain spices. The fast is observed for spiritual purification; its strictness is left to personal practice rather than fixed rules.