Navratri 2026: Day-wise colours this year, significance, key dates, Navadurga celebrations and more

Sharad Navratri celebrates Goddess Durga and her nine forms, together known as Navadurga. The festival represents good defeating evil and honours divine feminine power, called Shakti.

It also offers devotees time for prayer, devotion and spiritual renewal. Celebrations span nine nights and ten days, bringing families and communities together. Navratri also welcomes the autumn.

In 2026, Navratri starts on Sunday, 11 October, with Ghatasthapana. This ceremony includes invoking the Goddess and establishing the sacred kalash.

Maha Shashthi falls on 16 October, followed by Maha Saptami on 17 October. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami observances fall on 19 October. Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, follows on Tuesday, 20 October.

The festival follows the Hindu calendar, so its dates change each year. Wearing different colours daily is a popular modern tradition. Each colour carries meanings connected with the Goddess and the spirit of celebration.

Navratri 2026: Day-wise colours

On 11 October, devotees worship Maa Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountains. Orange is the first day’s colour, representing warmth, enthusiasm and lively energy. Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of worship that morning.

On 12 October, Maa Brahmacharini, associated with penance and discipline, is celebrated. White, this day’s colour, represents peace, purity and quiet devotion. The colour reflects the gentle, prayerful mood of this day.

On 13 October, Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped as a protective warrior Goddess. Red, this day’s colour, symbolises courage, passion, love and protective power. Her form bears the image of a crescent-moon bell.

On 14 October, Maa Kushmanda, regarded as the creator of the universe, is celebrated. Royal blue, this day’s colour, represents depth, richness, calmness and divine wisdom.

On 15 October, devotees will worship Maa Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya. Yellow, this day’s colour, signifies joy, optimism and the caring warmth of motherhood.

On 16 October, the day is dedicated to Maa Katyayani, known for destroying evil forces. Green, this day’s colour, represents nature, growth, harmony, fertility and fresh beginnings.

On 17 October, Maa Kalaratri is worshipped as the fierce destroyer of fear. Grey, this day’s colour, symbolises balanced thinking and quiet inner strength during difficult times.

On 18 October, the day honours Maa Mahagauri, associated with purity and forgiveness. Purple represents ambition, dignity, luxury, and spiritual fulfilment.

On 19 October, devotees worship Maa Siddhidatri, who grants spiritual powers and aspirations. Peacock green celebrates fulfilment, individuality, freshness and compassion.

Want a smart way to remember the list of colours each day? Here’s an image you may save. Go on, forward it to your WhatsApp groups:

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Navratri celebrations across India

Across the country, households observe fasts, perform daily aartis and read sacred texts. Gujarat and Maharashtra celebrate with Garba and Dandiya-Raas around lamps or images of the Goddess.

In West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, celebrations centre on Durga Puja. Artistic pandals display clay idols showing Durga defeating Mahishasura.

Vijayadashami brings immersion processions. It completes celebrations that combine faith, community participation and rich regional traditions.

About the Author

Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.

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