As the spring season arrives, millions of devotees across India are preparing for the auspicious festival of Chaitra Navratri. According to a detailed report by the Hindustan Times, the nine-day festival is scheduled to commence on Thursday, March 19, 2026, and will conclude with the celebration of Ram Navami on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, the traditional invocation of Goddess Shakti. As highlighted by the Hindustan Times, each of the nine days is dedicated to a specific incarnation of Maa Durga, starting with Shailaputri on Day 1 and ending with Siddhidhatri on Day 9. Devotees observe strict vegetarian fasts, recite sacred hymns, and participate in community prayers to seek blessings for prosperity and health.
A unique aspect of Chaitra Navratri is the association of specific colors with each day, symbolizing different virtues. For 2026, the Hindustan Times notes that the color palette includes Yellow for Day 1, Green for Day 2, and Grey for Day 3, among others. These colors are traditionally worn by devotees to align their spiritual energy with the specific form of the Goddess being worshipped.
Let’s take a look at the 9 day calender of Navratri celebration along with its god, color and tithi.
| 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 | Thursday, March 26 | Durga Ashtami and Rama Navami | Ashtami | Pink |
| Day 9 | Friday, March 27 | Dashami, Navratri Parana | Navami | Purple |
The festival also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year in several regions, observed as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in South India. According to the Hindutshan Times, The chaitra Navratri period is considered one of the most spiritually potent times of the year. The concluding day, ram navami, commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, marking the end of the fasting period with grand procession and festival meals. Religious scholars and temple authorities across the county have issued guidelines to ensure that the rituals are performed within the auspicious muhurta timings to maximize spiritual benefits.
