Sharad Navratri 2026 will begin on Sunday, October 11, and continue for nine days until Monday, October 19. The festival will be followed by Vijayadashami or Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20.
People searching for Navratri 2026 dates, October Navratri calendar, 9 days of Navratri, Navratri colours, Ashtami, Navami and Dussehra can find the complete date-wise calendar below.
When does Navratri 2026 start and end?
In 2026, Shardiya Navratri starts on October 11 and ends on October 19. The first day is observed with Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja, while the ninth day is dedicated to Maha Navami.
The festival's tenth day is Vijayadashami/Dussehra on October 20, 2026.
Navratri 2026 at a glance
| Event | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Navratri Day 1 / Ghatasthapana | October 11, 2026 | Sunday |
| Day 2 | October 12 | Monday |
| Day 3 | October 13 | Tuesday |
| Day 4 | October 14 | Wednesday |
| Day 5 | October 15 | Thursday |
| Day 6 | October 16 | Friday |
| Day 7 | October 17 | Saturday |
| Durga Ashtami | October 18 | Sunday |
| Maha Navami | October 19 | Monday |
| Dussehra / Vijayadashami | October 20 | Tuesday |
The date sequence follows the 2026 Shardiya Navratri calendar for India/Delhi calculations; exact puja timings can vary by location.
What are the 9 days of Navratri in 2026?
The nine days of Navratri are associated with different forms of Goddess Durga. The 2026 calendar is:
| Day | Date | Goddess | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | October 11 | Maa Shailputri | Orange |
| Day 2 | October 12 | Maa Brahmacharini | White |
| Day 3 | October 13 | Maa Chandraghanta | Red |
| Day 4 | October 14 | Maa Kushmanda | Royal Blue |
| Day 5 | October 15 | Maa Skandamata | Yellow |
| Day 6 | October 16 | Maa Katyayani | Green |
| Day 7 | October 17 | Maa Kalaratri | Grey |
| Day 8 | October 18 | Maa Mahagauri | Purple |
| Day 9 | October 19 | Maa Siddhidatri | Peacock Green |
Drik Panchang lists these nine colours for October 11–19, with the colour sequence determined by the weekday on which Navratri begins.
What are the Navratri 2026 colours with dates?
The Navratri 2026 colour list starts with orange because the first day falls on Sunday. The sequence then continues with white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green.
Navratri Day 1 – October 11: Orange
The first day is associated with Maa Shailputri. Orange is the colour for the day.
Navratri Day 2 – October 12: White
The second day is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini, with white as the day's colour.
Navratri Day 3 – October 13: Red
The third day is associated with Maa Chandraghanta, and red is the designated colour.
Navratri Day 4 – October 14: Royal Blue
The fourth day honours Maa Kushmanda, with royal blue as the Navratri colour.
Navratri Day 5 – October 15: Yellow
The fifth day is dedicated to Maa Skandamata, and the colour is yellow.
Navratri Day 6 – October 16: Green
The sixth day honours Maa Katyayani, with green as the day's colour.
Navratri Day 7 – October 17: Grey
The seventh day is associated with Maa Kalaratri, and grey is the designated colour.
Navratri Day 8 – October 18: Purple
The eighth day is Durga Ashtami, dedicated to Maa Mahagauri. Purple is the colour for the day.
Navratri Day 9 – October 19: Peacock Green
The ninth day is Maha Navami, associated with Maa Siddhidatri. Peacock green is the colour for the day.
When is Navratri Ashtami in 2026?
Durga Ashtami will be observed on Sunday, October 18, 2026. It is the eighth day of Sharad Navratri and is associated with Maa Mahagauri.
Ashtami is also a major day for Navratri worship, fasting and other regional traditions.
When is Maha Navami in 2026?
Maha Navami falls on Monday, October 19, 2026. It marks the ninth day of Sharad Navratri and is associated with Maa Siddhidatri.
The exact rituals performed on Navami can vary according to regional traditions and family customs.
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. It follows the nine days of Sharad Navratri.
The festival is associated with the victory of good over evil and is traditionally linked with Lord Rama's victory over Ravana as well as Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.
Is Navratri in August 2026?
The Sharad Navratri that people generally search for with the October Navratri calendar is not in August. In 2026, Sharad Navratri begins on October 11.
There are multiple Navratris in the Hindu calendar, including Chaitra Navratri, which occurred earlier in 2026. Chaitra Navratri 2026 was observed from March 19 to March 27.
Is Navratri celebrated on October 11, 2026?
Yes. October 11, 2026 is the first day of Sharad Navratri. It falls on a Sunday and marks Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja. The Navratri colour for the day is orange.
How many Navratris are there in 2026?
The Hindu calendar has four Navratri observances: Chaitra Navratri, Ashadha/Gupt Navratri, Sharad Navratri and Magha/Gupt Navratri. Their religious importance and regional observance can differ.
For most general festival searches, Sharad Navratri is the Navratri associated with the September-October festive season and leads into Dussehra.
How many days are left for Navratri 2026?
Navratri 2026 begins on October 11. How many days are left depends on the date on which the search is made, so readers should use October 11 as the starting date for calculating the countdown.
This also makes the article useful for searches such as "Navratri 2026 days left," "Navratri countdown 2026" and "when is Navratri 2026."
Navratri 2026 and Diwali: Are they on the same date?
No. Navratri and Diwali are separate festivals. Sharad Navratri ends with Vijayadashami/Dussehra on October 20, while Diwali occurs later in the Hindu festive calendar.
Therefore, someone searching for Navratri 2026 Diwali should not treat the two festivals as being on the same date.
What is the significance of the nine days of Navratri?
Navratri is dedicated to the worship of the different forms of Goddess Shakti. During the nine days, devotees may observe fasting, perform prayers and visit temples, while celebrations such as Garba and Dandiya are particularly prominent in parts of western India.
The ninth day is followed by Vijayadashami, which marks the culmination of the festival period.
Navratri 2026 FAQs
What are the 9 days of Navratri in 2026?
The nine days run from October 11 to October 19, 2026, beginning with Shailputri Puja and ending with Maha Navami.
What date is Navratri in October 2026?
Sharad Navratri begins on October 11 and ends on October 19, 2026. Dussehra follows on October 20.
When is Ashtami in Navratri 2026?
Durga Ashtami is on October 18, 2026.
Is Navratri on October 11, 2026?
Yes. October 11 is the first day of Sharad Navratri 2026, with Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja.
When is Dussehra 2026?
Dussehra/Vijayadashami is on October 20, 2026.
What is the Navratri colour on October 18, 2026?
The Navratri colour for October 18 is purple. It is also Durga Ashtami.
What is the Navratri colour on October 19, 2026?
The colour for October 19 is peacock green, which is Maha Navami.