Chaitra Navratri 2026: Dates, Ghatasthapana & Ram Navami Guide
Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins March 30, 2026 with Ghatasthapana and concludes April 7 (Mahanavami, also Ram Navami). This spring Navratri celebrates the nine forms of Goddess Durga and marks the start of the Hindu New Year with divine feminine energy.
Chaitra Navratri 2026 - Day by Day
| Date | Day | Goddess | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 30 | Day 1 - Pratipada | Shailputri | Ghatasthapana (kalash installation). Worship Shailputri Devi (daughter of mountains). Yellow/orange color. |
| March 31 | Day 2 - Dwitiya | Brahmacharini | Worship Brahmacharini Devi (one who practices brahmacharya/austerity). White color. |
| April 1 | Day 3 - Tritiya | Chandraghanta | Worship Chandraghanta Devi (Moon-bell, destroyer of evil). Grey color. |
| April 2 | Day 4 - Chaturthi | Kushmanda | Worship Kushmanda Devi (creator of the universe). Orange color. |
| April 3 | Day 5 - Panchami | Skandamata | Worship Skandamata (mother of Skanda/Kartikeya). White color. |
| April 4 | Day 6 - Shashthi | Katyayani | Worship Katyayani Devi. Red color. Saraswati Puja. |
| April 5 | Day 7 - Saptami | Kalaratri | Worship Kalaratri Devi. Blue color. Saraswati Puja in some traditions. |
| April 6 | Day 8 - Ashtami | Mahagauri | Mahashtami. Worship Mahagauri Devi. Pink color. Kanya Puja, Ashtami havan. |
| April 7 | Day 9 - Navami (Ram Navami) | Siddhidatri | Mahanavami and Ram Navami. Worship Siddhidatri Devi. Purple color. Havan, Kanya Puja. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chaitra Navratri 2026?
Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins on March 30, 2026 (Monday), Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, with Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana). The nine-day festival ends on April 7, 2026 (Tuesday, Navami), which also coincides with Ram Navami in 2026. The Durga Visarjan (Kanya Puja and havan) is performed on Navami, April 7.
What is the difference between Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri?
Chaitra Navratri (spring Navratri, March-April) celebrates the nine forms of Goddess Durga in spring, around the Hindu New Year. It culminates on Ram Navami (Lord Rama's birthday). Shardiya Navratri (autumn Navratri, September-October) is more widely and elaborately celebrated, culminating in Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami). Both follow the same 9-day format with the same 9 Durga forms. Chaitra Navratri is also called Vasant Navratri (spring Navratri).
What is Ghatasthapana and when is it in 2026?
Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) is the first ritual of Navratri, performed on Pratipada (Day 1). In 2026, it falls on March 30. A sacred clay or copper pot (kalash/ghata) is filled with water, coconut, and mango leaves, decorated with red cloth, and installed on a base of sand or clay where seeds are sown. The kalash represents the primordial energy of the goddess. The seeds grow into a mini garden (called Navratri seedlings or jyoti) over the nine days, symbolizing prosperity.
Which Navdurga is worshipped on each day of Chaitra Navratri 2026?
The 9 Durga forms (Navdurga) for Chaitra Navratri 2026: Day 1 (March 30): Shailputri. Day 2 (March 31): Brahmacharini. Day 3 (April 1): Chandraghanta. Day 4 (April 2): Kushmanda. Day 5 (April 3): Skandamata. Day 6 (April 4): Katyayani. Day 7 (April 5): Kalaratri. Day 8 (April 6): Mahagauri (Mahashtami). Day 9 (April 7): Siddhidatri (Mahanavami, also Ram Navami).
What is the Chaitra Navratri fast rule?
Chaitra Navratri fasting rules: Many devotees fast for all 9 days, others for Ashtami-Navami (Day 8-9) or only Pratipada and Navami. Fasting foods allowed: fruits, milk, sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat) flour, singhare ke aate (water chestnut flour), sendha namak (rock salt), potatoes, and dry fruits. Strictly avoided: regular grain (wheat, rice), regular salt, onion, garlic, non-vegetarian food, alcohol. The fast is broken on Navami (Kanya Puja) or Dashami morning.
What is Kanya Puja (Kumari Puja) in Navratri?
Kanya Puja (also called Kumari Puja or Kanjak) is performed on Ashtami or Navami (Day 8 or 9) of Navratri. Girls aged 2-10 are invited to the home and worshipped as manifestations of the nine Durga forms. Rituals: Wash their feet, apply alta (red dye), put tikka on their foreheads. Offer them halwa, puri, and kala chana (black chickpeas). Give gifts of fruits, new clothes, coins, or sweets. Take their blessings. In 2026, Kanya Puja falls on April 6 (Ashtami) or April 7 (Navami, Ram Navami).
What is Ram Navami and why does it coincide with Chaitra Navratri 2026?
Ram Navami is the birthday of Lord Rama, celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Navami (9th day of the bright fortnight in Chaitra month). This always coincides with the 9th and final day of Chaitra Navratri. In 2026, both Mahanavami (Day 9 of Navratri) and Ram Navami fall on April 7. On this day, devotees celebrate both the completion of Navratri with Durga Navami puja AND the celebration of Lord Rama's divine birth with Ram Navami puja and readings of the Ramayana.
Which goddess is associated with Chaitra Navratri?
Chaitra Navratri honors the same Navdurga (nine forms of Durga) as Shardiya Navratri, but the presiding deity of Chaitra Navratri is primarily Goddess Shakti in her spring manifestation. In the spring (Chaitra) season, the goddess is also associated with new beginnings, fertility, and the renewal of nature. The Chaitra Navratri celebration is connected to the beginning of the Hindu New Year (Ugadi/Gudi Padwa/Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), making it a festival of cosmic renewal.
How is Chaitra Navratri celebrated across India?
Chaitra Navratri celebrations vary by region: North India: Home-based puja of the nine Durga forms, Ghatasthapana, and Kanya Puja. Vaishno Devi temple sees massive pilgrimages. Himachal Pradesh (Kangra): Elaborate Navratri Mela with local customs. Gujarat and Maharashtra: Chaitra Navratri is less celebrated than Shardiya, but some families observe it. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Ugadi (Hindu New Year) coincides with Chaitra Pratipada, so the spring Navratri energy is also celebrated as the new year. Ram Navami celebrations mark the end everywhere.