Chaitra Navratri 2026: 9 Days, 9 Colors, 9 Goddess Forms - Complete Guide
Navratri 2026 dates, Navratri colors 2026, and the 9 forms of Durga. Complete day-wise puja rituals, what to wear, and fasting food guide.
As spring arrives and nature begins to bloom, a powerful spiritual energy awakens across India - it is time for Chaitra Navratri 2026.
For nine divine days, homes glow with diyas, temples echo with mantras, and hearts fill with devotion as devotees worship the 9 forms of Maa Durga. This is not just a festival. It is a spiritual reset - a chance to cleanse the mind, strengthen faith, and invite abundance into your life.
Beginning on March 19, 2026, and culminating on March 27, 2026 (Ram Navami), Chaitra Navratri marks the start of the Hindu New Year in many regions and symbolizes the eternal victory of good over evil.
But Navratri is more than rituals.
It is about:
Wearing the Navratri colors 2026 that align with each day’s divine energy
Observing meaningful fasts that purify the body
Understanding the deeper symbolism behind the 9 forms of Durga
Performing daily puja with devotion and intention
Whether you are observing Navratri for the first time or continuing a cherished family tradition, this complete guide will help you celebrate every day with clarity, faith, and spiritual connection.
Let’s begin this sacred journey - one day, one Goddess, one blessing at a time.
Navratri 2026 Dates (Chaitra Navratri)
In 2026, Chaitra Navratri begins on Thursday, March 19, 2026, and ends on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The ninth day coincides with Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Rama.
The festival begins with Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) - the sacred ritual of installing a Kalash symbolizing the presence of Goddess Durga in the home. This ritual sets the spiritual tone for the nine days.
Navratri Colors 2026 (Day-Wise)
Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific color. Devotees wear these colors to align with the energy of the Goddess worshipped that day. The color sequence depends on the weekday the festival begins. Since Navratri 2026 starts on a Thursday, the traditional color cycle for that year follows accordingly.
The commonly observed color sequence for 2026 is:
Day 1 – Yellow
Day 2 – Green
Day 3 – Grey
Day 4 – Orange
Day 5 – White
Day 6 – Red
Day 7 – Royal Blue
Day 8 – Pink
Day 9 – Purple
Wearing the color of the day is believed to attract positivity, spiritual energy, and divine blessings.
The 9 Forms of Durga (Navadurga) – Meaning & Significance
Each of the nine days is dedicated to one powerful manifestation of Goddess Durga. Together, they represent the complete spiritual journey — from grounding and discipline to enlightenment and divine fulfillment.
Day 1 – Maa Shailaputri (March 19, 2026)
Meaning: Daughter of the Mountains
She represents strength, purity, and a fresh beginning.
Puja Focus:
Perform Ghatasthapana. Offer pure ghee and white flowers. Chant her mantra to seek stability in life.
What to Wear: Yellow
Yellow symbolizes happiness, positivity, and divine blessings.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Fruits, milk, coconut water, soaked almonds, and light sattvic meals.
Day 2 – Maa Brahmacharini (March 20, 2026)
Meaning: The Goddess of Penance and Devotion
She symbolizes determination and spiritual discipline.
Puja Focus:
Offer sugar and fruits. Pray for strength and endurance in difficult times.
What to Wear: Green
Green represents growth, peace, and harmony.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Sabudana khichdi, fruit salad, yogurt, roasted makhana.
Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta (March 21, 2026)
Meaning: The Warrior Goddess
She represents courage and grace under pressure.
Puja Focus:
Offer milk or kheer. Ring bells during aarti to invoke positive vibrations.
What to Wear: Grey
Grey symbolizes balance and calmness.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Sweet potatoes, milk, banana smoothies, samak rice.
Day 4 – Maa Kushmanda (March 22, 2026)
Meaning: Creator of the Universe
She radiates cosmic energy and vitality.
Puja Focus:
Offer malpua or honey-based sweets. Light diyas to welcome prosperity.
What to Wear: Orange
Orange represents enthusiasm and spiritual power.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Kuttu roti, lauki sabzi, coconut-based dishes.
Day 5 – Maa Skandamata (March 23, 2026)
Meaning: Mother of Lord Skanda
She symbolizes motherhood, compassion, and protection.
Puja Focus:
Offer bananas and yellow flowers. Seek blessings for family and children.
What to Wear: White
White signifies purity and inner peace.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Singhare puri, fruit chaat, curd, boiled potatoes with rock salt.
Day 6 – Maa Katyayani (March 24, 2026)
Meaning: The Warrior Goddess
She removes negativity and obstacles.
Puja Focus:
Offer honey and red flowers. Pray for courage and righteous strength.
What to Wear: Red
Red symbolizes power, passion, and devotion.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Kuttu paratha, sabudana vada, peanut chutney (without garlic).
Day 7 – Maa Kalaratri (March 25, 2026)
Meaning: Destroyer of Darkness
She removes fear and protects devotees from evil.
Puja Focus:
Offer jaggery and chant protective mantras in the evening.
What to Wear: Royal Blue
Royal Blue represents confidence and divine energy.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Samak rice khichdi, roasted potatoes, fruit juices.
Day 8 – Maa Mahagauri (March 26, 2026)
Meaning: Goddess of Purity
She blesses devotees with peace and wisdom.
Puja Focus:
Perform Kanya Puja (worship of young girls). Offer coconut and halwa.
What to Wear: Pink
Pink represents love and compassion.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Milk-based sweets, paneer dishes (without grains), dry fruits.
Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri (March 27, 2026)
Meaning: Bestower of Spiritual Powers
She grants wisdom, fulfillment, and divine grace.
This day also marks Ram Navami.
Puja Focus:
Complete Navratri fast. Perform havan if possible. Offer kheer and fruits.
What to Wear: Purple
Purple signifies ambition and spiritual accomplishment.
Fasting Food Suggestions:
Light kheer, fruit prasad, sattvic thali before breaking the fast.
Navratri Fasting Rules & Diet Guide
During Navratri, devotees usually avoid:
Wheat and regular grains
Onion and garlic
Non-vegetarian food
Alcohol
Allowed ingredients typically include:
Sabudana (tapioca)
Samak rice (barnyard millet)
Singhara and kuttu flour
Rock salt (sendha namak)
Milk, fruits, nuts
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Fasting during Navratri is not just about food restriction — it is about cleansing the body, calming the mind, and strengthening spiritual discipline.
Daily Puja Tips for Navratri 2026
Wake up early and take a bath before sunrise.
Keep the puja area clean and decorated with fresh flowers.
Light a ghee diya morning and evening.
Recite Durga Saptashati or simple Durga mantras.
Perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami.
Even simple devotion done with sincerity brings immense blessings.
Why Chaitra Navratri Is Spiritually Important
Chaitra Navratri represents:
New beginnings
Inner transformation
Feminine divine power
Victory of righteousness
It is a time to reset spiritually, build discipline, and invite prosperity and protection into life.
Chaitra Navratri 2026, from March 19 to March 27, is a sacred opportunity to reconnect with divine energy through prayer, fasting, and devotion. By following the day-wise puja rituals, wearing the Navratri colors 2026, and worshipping the 9 forms of Durga, devotees can experience deep spiritual growth and positivity.
May Maa Durga bless you with strength, wisdom, and abundance this Navratri.
Frequently Asked Questions – Navratri 2026
1. When is Chaitra Navratri in 2026?
Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins on March 19, 2026 (Thursday) and ends on March 27, 2026 (Friday). The ninth day is celebrated as Ram Navami.
2. What are the Navratri 2026 dates?
Navratri 2026 will be observed from March 19 to March 27, 2026, for nine days dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga.
3. What are the Navratri colors for 2026?
The Navratri colors 2026 are: Yellow, Green, Grey, Orange, White, Red, Royal Blue, Pink, and Purple. Devotees wear these colors day-wise during the nine days of Navratri.
4. What are the 9 forms of Durga worshipped during Navratri?
The nine forms of Durga (Navadurga) are:
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
5. Why do people wear different colors during Navratri?
Each Navratri color represents a specific energy and virtue of the Goddess worshipped that day. Wearing the color of the day is believed to attract positivity and divine blessings.
6. What foods are allowed during Navratri fasting?
Allowed foods during Navratri include fruits, milk, sabudana, samak rice, kuttu flour, singhara flour, potatoes, rock salt, nuts, and dairy products. Grains, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food are typically avoided.
7. What is the significance of the 9 days of Navratri?
The nine days symbolize the spiritual journey from discipline and devotion to enlightenment and divine fulfillment. Each day honors a different form of Goddess Durga.
8. Is Ram Navami part of Navratri 2026?
Yes, Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri 2026, which is March 27, 2026.