Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October and ends with Maha Navami on Monday, 19 October; Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday, 20 October. Each of the nine days is dedicated to one form of Goddess Durga, and many devotees wear a different colour every day. The 9 Navratri colours for 2026 are Orange, White, Red, Royal Blue, Yellow, Green, Grey, Purple and Peacock Green.
Below you will find the day-wise Navratri colours list with dates, the goddess and meaning of each colour, and outfit ideas for women and girls: chaniya choli for garba, sarees for puja, and the colour combinations that work best for each day.
Note: puja muhurat and some colour lists vary slightly by city and family tradition. Check your local panchang or temple for timings.
Navratri 2026 colours list at a glance
| Day | Date | Colour | Goddess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sunday, 11 October | Orange | Maa Shailaputri |
| Day 2 | Monday, 12 October | White | Maa Brahmacharini |
| Day 3 | Tuesday, 13 October | Red | Maa Chandraghanta |
| Day 4 | Wednesday, 14 October | Royal Blue | Maa Kushmanda |
| Day 5 | Thursday, 15 October | Yellow | Maa Skandamata |
| Day 6 | Friday, 16 October | Green | Maa Katyayani |
| Day 7 | Saturday, 17 October | Grey | Maa Kalaratri |
| Day 8 | Sunday, 18 October | Purple | Maa Mahagauri |
| Day 9 | Monday, 19 October | Peacock Green | Maa Siddhidatri |
Explore the 10 daily Navratri & Dussehra dressing guides
For complete dressing guides with authentic handloom fabric recommendations, puja saree draping, chaniya choli flare cuts, jewellery styling, and Kanya Pujan tips, explore our dedicated daily guides:
- Day 1 (Orange): Maa Shailaputri Puja & Orange Dressing Guide
- Day 2 (White): Maa Brahmacharini Puja & White / Ivory Dressing Guide
- Day 3 (Red): Maa Chandraghanta Puja & Crimson Red Dressing Guide
- Day 4 (Royal Blue): Maa Kushmanda Puja & Royal Blue Dressing Guide
- Day 5 (Yellow): Maa Skandamata Puja & Radiant Yellow Dressing Guide
- Day 6 (Green): Maa Katyayani Puja & Emerald Green Dressing Guide
- Day 7 (Grey): Maa Kalaratri Puja & Slate Grey Dressing Guide
- Day 8 (Purple): Maa Mahagauri Durga Ashtami & Purple Dressing Guide
- Day 9 (Peacock Green): Maa Siddhidatri Maha Navami & Peacock Green Dressing Guide
- Day 10 (Dussehra): Vijayadashami Dussehra Victory Red & Gold Dressing Guide
Day 1 (Sunday, 11 October): Orange · Maa Shailaputri
Colour: Orange · Goddess: Maa Shailaputri · Ghatasthapana
Day 1 begins the festival with Ghatasthapana and the worship of Maa Shailaputri, daughter of the mountains. Orange stands for energy, warmth and happiness, a bright way to start nine days of celebration.
What women can wear
An orange Bandhani or mirror-work chaniya choli for garba, or an orange silk saree with gold zari for the Ghatasthapana puja. A saffron Leheriya saree also works well for daytime.
What girls can wear
An orange-and-yellow Leheriya chaniya choli or a light orange lehenga with gota patti.
Best colour combinations
- Orange with fuchsia pink
- Orange with parrot green
- Orange with royal blue
- Orange with gold
Styling tip: Orange looks richest with gold jewellery for puja and with oxidised silver for garba.
Day 2 (Monday, 12 October): White · Maa Brahmacharini
Colour: White · Goddess: Maa Brahmacharini
Day 2 honours Maa Brahmacharini, the Goddess of devotion and discipline. White stands for peace, purity and calm.
What women can wear
A white Chikankari kurta or off-white saree with a red Bandhani dupatta, or a white chaniya choli with multicolour mirror work for garba.
What girls can wear
A white cotton chaniya choli with colourful embroidery, which is easy to style and stays cool.
Best colour combinations
- White with red
- White with gold
- White with multicolour
- White with silver
Styling tip: White shows sweat and dust, so choose lined cotton and keep a colourful dupatta to add contrast.
Day 3 (Tuesday, 13 October): Red · Maa Chandraghanta
Colour: Red · Goddess: Maa Chandraghanta
Day 3 is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the fierce yet graceful form of Durga. Red stands for strength, courage and passion, and red chunris are often offered to the Goddess.
What women can wear
A red Bandhani saree, a red Banarasi for puja, or a red chaniya choli with mirror work and gota for garba.
What girls can wear
A red ghagra choli with gota work or a red Bandhani frock.
Best colour combinations
- Red with gold
- Red with green
- Red with white
- Red with mustard yellow
Styling tip: Red is the most photographed colour of Navratri. Let one outfit piece be heavy and keep the rest simple.
Day 4 (Wednesday, 14 October): Royal Blue · Maa Kushmanda
Colour: Royal Blue · Goddess: Maa Kushmanda
Day 4 worships Maa Kushmanda, believed to have created the universe with her smile. Royal blue stands for richness, depth and calm strength.
What women can wear
A royal blue silk saree, a Patola-patterned saree or a blue Ajrakh chaniya choli with silver mirror work.
What girls can wear
A royal blue lehenga with pink or orange accents, or a blue cotton chaniya choli.
Best colour combinations
- Royal blue with pink
- Royal blue with gold
- Royal blue with silver
- Royal blue with orange
Styling tip: Silver and oxidised jewellery look especially good with royal blue.
Day 5 (Thursday, 15 October): Yellow · Maa Skandamata
Colour: Yellow · Goddess: Maa Skandamata
Day 5 honours Maa Skandamata, mother of Lord Kartikeya. Yellow stands for joy, brightness and optimism.
What women can wear
A yellow Leheriya or Bandhani chaniya choli, a mustard Chanderi saree, or a yellow cotton saree with a contrast border.
What girls can wear
A yellow-and-pink chaniya choli or a yellow cotton lehenga, cheerful and easy to wear.
Best colour combinations
- Yellow with pink
- Yellow with green
- Yellow with maroon
- Yellow with white
Styling tip: Mustard and turmeric shades suit most skin tones better than lemon yellow.
Day 6 (Friday, 16 October): Green · Maa Katyayani
Colour: Green · Goddess: Maa Katyayani
Day 6 is dedicated to Maa Katyayani, the warrior form of Durga. Green stands for growth, nature and new beginnings.
What women can wear
A parrot-green or emerald Bandhani chaniya choli, a green Kanjivaram or Paithani saree for puja, or a green Ajrakh outfit.
What girls can wear
A parrot-green lehenga with pink borders or a green pattu pavadai.
Best colour combinations
- Green with pink
- Green with red
- Green with yellow
- Green with gold
Styling tip: Parrot green suits garba nights; bottle and emerald green look elegant for puja.
Day 7 (Saturday, 17 October): Grey · Maa Kalaratri
Colour: Grey · Goddess: Maa Kalaratri
Day 7 worships Maa Kalaratri, the fiercest form of Durga who destroys evil and fear. Grey stands for balance and inner strength.
What women can wear
A silver-grey chaniya choli with mirror work, a grey Ajrakh or indigo-grey outfit, or a grey saree lifted with a bright pink or yellow dupatta.
What girls can wear
A grey lehenga with neon pink or yellow accents so it stays festive.
Best colour combinations
- Grey with hot pink
- Grey with yellow
- Grey with red
- Grey with silver
Styling tip: Grey is the hardest colour of Navratri. Choose silver-grey or charcoal with mirror work so it does not look dull.
Day 8 (Sunday, 18 October): Purple · Maa Mahagauri
Colour: Purple · Goddess: Maa Mahagauri · Durga Ashtami
Day 8 is Durga Ashtami, dedicated to Maa Mahagauri. Many families perform Kanya Pujan today. Purple stands for ambition, power and grace.
What women can wear
A purple or wine silk saree for Ashtami puja, or a purple chaniya choli with gold mirror work. Lavender suits daytime and deep purple suits evening garba.
What girls can wear
A purple or lavender lehenga, pavadai or salwar suit for Kanya Pujan, soft and comfortable.
Best colour combinations
- Purple with gold
- Purple with green
- Purple with orange
- Purple with pink
Styling tip: Gold jewellery and a gold-zari border make purple look royal for Ashtami.
Day 9 (Monday, 19 October): Peacock Green · Maa Siddhidatri
Colour: Peacock Green · Goddess: Maa Siddhidatri · Maha Navami
Day 9, Maha Navami, honours Maa Siddhidatri, the giver of wisdom and fulfilment. Peacock green stands for compassion, uniqueness and good fortune.
What women can wear
A peacock-green Kanjivaram or Paithani saree with peacock motifs, or a teal chaniya choli with mirror work for the last garba night.
What girls can wear
A teal lehenga choli or peacock-green pattu pavadai for Navami Kanya Pujan.
Best colour combinations
- Peacock green with pink
- Peacock green with purple
- Peacock green with gold
- Peacock green with mustard
Styling tip: Peacock motifs in the pallu or border make this day's outfit special.
Why do the Navratri colours change every year?
The day-wise colour custom became popular in Maharashtra and is now followed across India. The colour of Day 1 depends on the weekday Navratri starts on, and the list runs on from there:
| Weekday | Colour |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Orange |
| Monday | White |
| Tuesday | Red |
| Wednesday | Royal Blue |
| Thursday | Yellow |
| Friday | Green |
| Saturday | Grey |
In 2026 Navratri starts on a Sunday, so Day 1 is orange. The last two days, Purple and Peacock Green, complete the nine-colour cycle. It is a modern custom rather than a scriptural rule, so it is fine to follow your own family's tradition.
Navratri outfit ideas for garba and dandiya
- Chaniya choli: the classic garba outfit. Choose a flared ghagra (6 to 9 metres of flare) so it twirls, in cotton, Bandhani, Ajrakh or mirror-work fabric. See this year's styles in our traditional wear trends 2026.
- Saree for puja and aarti: a silk saree in the day's colour is ideal for temple visits, Ashtami puja and Kanya Pujan. Our types of sarees guide lists the best regional weaves.
- Kurti, dhoti pants or sharara: comfortable for office days, college garba and long nights.
- Dupatta trick: if you cannot buy nine outfits, keep a neutral chaniya choli or saree and change the dupatta to the day's colour. Bandhani and Leheriya dupattas come in every Navratri shade.
Navratri dresses for girls and Kanya Pujan
On Ashtami and Navami many families hold Kanya Pujan, honouring young girls as forms of the Goddess. Dress girls in a light lehenga choli, pattu pavadai, frock-style chaniya choli or salwar suit in the day's colour (purple on Ashtami, peacock green on Navami in 2026), or in red or pink, which are always auspicious.
- Choose soft cotton or cotton-silk with a cotton lining.
- Avoid heavy zari or sharp mirror work at the neck and underarms.
- Keep the hem above the ankle for garba so girls do not trip.
- Pack a light dupatta that can be pinned, not one they must keep holding.
Garba comfort and outfit care tips
- Wear breathable fabric: cotton, Bandhani cotton and Chanderi are cooler than satin or heavy silk for nine nights of dancing.
- Pin smartly: secure the dupatta at the shoulder and waist with safety pins so it stays put during spins.
- Choose flat footwear: mojris, kolhapuris or garba shoes; many grounds do not allow heels.
- Use oxidised jewellery: oxidised silver, kodi (cowrie) and thread jewellery are light and suit chaniya choli.
- Air your outfit after every night: hang it in the shade, not in direct sun, and dry-clean silk only after the festival. More in our silk saree care guide.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the 9 colours of Navratri 2026?
The Navratri 2026 colours are Orange (11 Oct), White (12 Oct), Red (13 Oct), Royal Blue (14 Oct), Yellow (15 Oct), Green (16 Oct), Grey (17 Oct), Purple (18 Oct) and Peacock Green (19 Oct).
When does Navratri 2026 start and end?
Sharad Navratri 2026 starts with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October and ends with Maha Navami on Monday, 19 October. Dussehra is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
What is the colour of Day 1 of Navratri 2026?
Orange. Day 1, Sunday 11 October 2026, is dedicated to Maa Shailaputri, and orange stands for energy and warmth.
Which colour should I wear on Durga Ashtami 2026?
Purple. Durga Ashtami falls on Sunday, 18 October 2026, the eighth day, dedicated to Maa Mahagauri.
Why are Navratri colours different every year?
The colour of the first day depends on the weekday Navratri starts on, for example orange for Sunday and white for Monday, and the rest of the list follows from there. So the order changes every year.
Can we wear black during Navratri?
Black is not one of the nine Navratri colours and many families avoid it during the festival and puja. For garba nights it is a personal and family choice.
What should girls wear for Kanya Pujan?
A comfortable lehenga choli, pattu pavadai or salwar suit in the day's colour, or in red or pink, with a soft cotton lining and light embellishment.
What is the best outfit for garba?
A cotton or Bandhani chaniya choli with a wide flare, a pinned dupatta, oxidised jewellery and flat footwear is the most comfortable and traditional garba outfit.