The Navratri 2026 colours are orange, white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green, from Day 1 on Sunday 11 October to Day 9 on Monday 19 October. Sharad Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana on 11 October, and Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The first colour follows the weekday on which Navratri begins: Sunday is orange, so this year starts with orange.
Navratri 2026 colours, day by day
| Day | Date | Colour | Form of Durga |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, 11 October | Orange | Shailaputri (Ghatasthapana) |
| 2 | Monday, 12 October | White | Brahmacharini |
| 3 | Tuesday, 13 October | Red | Chandraghanta |
| 4 | Wednesday, 14 October | Royal blue | Kushmanda |
| 5 | Thursday, 15 October | Yellow | Skandamata |
| 6 | Friday, 16 October | Green | Katyayani |
| 7 | Saturday, 17 October | Grey | Kalaratri |
| 8 | Sunday, 18 October | Purple | Mahagauri |
| 9 | Monday, 19 October | Peacock green | Siddhidatri |
| 10 | Tuesday, 20 October | — | Vijayadashami (Dussehra) |
Dates are for India (IST). Panchangs differ on Durga Ashtami this year: some list it on Sunday 18 October, others on Monday 19 October together with Maha Navami. Follow your local panchang for Ashtami and Navami puja.
Free PDF guide
Durga Saptashati Starter Guide
Navratri 2026 at a glance, the Saptashati in 3 parts, the right order of reading, the 7-day and 3-day plans, and one verse with its meaning: 7 phone-friendly pages. Enter your email and the download appears right here.
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How are the Navratri colours decided?
The colour of Day 1 is the colour of the weekday on which Navratri begins: Sunday orange, Monday white, Tuesday red, Wednesday royal blue, Thursday yellow, Friday green and Saturday grey. The remaining days follow in sequence, with purple and peacock green (or pink, in some years) completing the nine. That is why the order changes every year. The custom is a modern and much-loved tradition, popular especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat, rather than a scriptural rule; the nine forms of the Goddess, by contrast, are fixed.
What each colour means
- Orange: warmth, energy and a joyful beginning.
- White: purity and peace, fitting for Brahmacharini's austerity.
- Red: strength and devotion; the colour of the chunri offered to the Goddess.
- Royal blue: depth and calm.
- Yellow: brightness and cheer.
- Green: growth and new beginnings.
- Grey: balance and steadiness.
- Purple: dignity and grace.
- Peacock green: uniqueness and freshness.
You don't need a new outfit every day. A dupatta, flowers for the mandir or the colour of the day's rangoli carries the same spirit.
Key dates of Navratri 2026
- Ghatasthapana: Sunday 11 October. The morning muhurat in New Delhi is roughly 6:20 AM to 10:20 AM, with Abhijit muhurat around 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM as the alternative; check your city.
- Durga Ashtami: 18 or 19 October, depending on the panchang.
- Maha Navami: Monday 19 October.
- Vijayadashami (Dussehra): Tuesday 20 October.
Reading the Durga Saptashati through Navratri
Many families read the Durga Saptashati (Chandi Path) across the nine days. The traditional 7-day plan starting on Day 1 finishes before Ashtami. See our guide to reading the Durga Saptashati this Navratri.
The Complete Book of Durga Saptashati gives you all 700 verses in Sanskrit, transliteration and English meaning, with Kavach, Argala and Kilak, the Navratri 2026 calendar, Ghatasthapana and daily puja vidhi, and both reading plans. Instant PDF, ₹199. Planning for Karva Chauth and Diwali too? The Festival Season Pack has all three books for ₹449.
See every date this season in our Hindu Festival Calendar 2026–27.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Navratri 2026 colours?
Orange (11 Oct), white (12 Oct), red (13 Oct), royal blue (14 Oct), yellow (15 Oct), green (16 Oct), grey (17 Oct), purple (18 Oct) and peacock green (19 Oct).
Which colour should I wear on the first day of Navratri 2026?
Orange, on Sunday 11 October, because Navratri begins on a Sunday this year.
When does Navratri 2026 start and end?
Sharad Navratri runs from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October 2026, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday 20 October.
Why do Navratri colours change every year?
The first colour follows the weekday on which Navratri begins, and the rest follow in sequence, so the order shifts each year.
When is Durga Ashtami in 2026?
Panchangs differ: some list 18 October and others 19 October, together with Maha Navami. Check your local panchang.