Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival devoted to worship, fasting, and spiritual introspection, honouring Maa Durga and her nine divine forms, the Navdurgas. The celebrations conclude with Ram Navami, which marks the birth of Lord Ram on Thursday 26 March 2026
Observed from the first day of the Chaitra month, it also marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar new year, making it a time of renewed energy and faith. If you’re gearing up to celebrate Navratri in 2026, here’s everything you need to know, from the start date and the significance of each of the nine days to the timing of Ashtami and Ram Navami.
Take a look at the festival calendar below for the exact dates of the nine days of Chaitra Navratri, along with the designated colours and the forms of Maa Durga to worship each day:
| Navratri Day | Date | Festival | Tithi | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Thrusday, March 19 | Ghatasthapana and Maa Shailputri Puja | Pratipada | Yellow |
| Day 2 | Friday, March 20 | Maa Brahmacharini Puja | Dwitiya | Green |
| Day 3 | Saturday, March 21 | Gauri Puja, Saubhagya Teej Chandraghanta Puja |
Tritiya | Grey |
| Day 4 | Sunday, March 22 | Kushmanda Puja, Vasudeva Chaturthi | Chaturthi | Orange |
| Day 5 | Monday, March 23 | Naag Puja, Lakshmi Panchami Skandamata Puja |
Panchami | White |
| Day 6 | Tuesday, March 24 | Skanda Sashti, Yamuna Chhath Katyayani Puja |
Shashthi | Red |
| Day 7 | Wednesday, March 25 | Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja | Saptami | Royal blue |
| Day 8 | Thrusday, March 26 | Durga Ashtami and Rama Navami |
Ashtami | Pink |
| Day 9 | Friday, March 27 | Dashami, Navratri Parana | Navami | Purple |
Chaitra Navratri 2026 date and time
Chaitra Navratri is observed during the Shukla Paksha (bright lunar phase) of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls between late March and April in the Gregorian calendar. As per Drik Panchang, the festival begins on the Pratipada Tithi of this auspicious phase.
- Chaitra Navratri begins: Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Ghatsthapana muhurat: 6:52 AM to 7:43 AM
- Abhijit Muhurat: 12:05 PM to 12:53 PM
- Chaitra Navratri ends: Friday, March 27, 2026
The festival spans nine days and concludes with Ram Navami, which marks the birth of Lord Ram. Since it falls on the ninth day of Navratri, it is also popularly referred to as Ram Navratri.
Nine days of fasting
During the sacred nine days of Navratri, devotees worship the nine divine forms of Maa Durga:
- Maa Shailputri
- Maa Brahmacharini
- Maa Chandraghanta
- Maa Kushmanda
- Skanda Mata
- Maa Katyayani
- Maa Kaalratri
- Maa Mahagauri
- Maa Siddhidatri
Each day is dedicated to one form, with devotees observing fasts, offering prayers, preparing special bhog at home, and visiting temples to seek blessings.
On the eighth day, known as Ashtami, young girls are worshipped as manifestations of the Goddess in her purest form. The ninth day marks Ram Navami, celebrating the birth of Lord Ram. Devotees observe the occasion with prayers, devotional songs, temple visits, and fasting to seek the blessings of both Lord Ram and Maa Durga.