Chaitra Navratri 2026

Thu, 19 March 2026 · Varanasi time (IST)

1. Day 1·Thu, 19 MarchMain muhurat · 6:53 – 10:05 am

   Ghatasthapana

   Colour YellowMaa Shailputri

   The first form of Goddess Durga. Daughter of the Himalayas, she rides the bull Nandi and carries a trident and lotus.

   Prasadam: Pure Desi Ghee

   ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   6:03 am

   Sunset

   6:08 pm

   Abhijit

   11:41 am – 12:30 pm

   That day's panchang: Thu, 19 March

2. Day 2·Fri, 20 March

   Dwitiya

   Colour GreenMaa Brahmacharini

   The ascetic form of the Goddess who practiced intense penance to win Lord Shiva as her husband.

   Prasadam: Sugar

   ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   6:02 am

   Sunset

   6:09 pm

   Abhijit

   11:41 am – 12:30 pm

   That day's panchang: Fri, 20 March

3. Day 3·Sat, 21 March

   Tritiya

   Colour GreyMaa Chandraghanta

   The warrior form adorned with a crescent moon on her forehead. She rides a tiger and has ten arms.

   Prasadam: Milk

   ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः

   Sunrise

   6:01 am

   Sunset

   6:09 pm

   Abhijit

   11:41 am – 12:29 pm

   That day's panchang: Sat, 21 March

4. Day 4·Sun, 22 March

   Chaturthi

   Colour OrangeMaa Kushmanda

   The creator of the universe with her divine smile. Her name means 'cosmic egg' — she created the world with her laughter.

   Prasadam: Malpua

   ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः

   Sunrise

   6:00 am

   Sunset

   6:10 pm

   Abhijit

   11:40 am – 12:29 pm

   That day's panchang: Sun, 22 March

5. Day 5·Mon, 23 March

   Panchami

   Colour WhiteMaa Skandamata

   Mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda). She sits on a lotus with her son in her lap, symbolizing motherly love.

   Prasadam: Banana

   ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:59 am

   Sunset

   6:10 pm

   Abhijit

   11:40 am – 12:29 pm

   That day's panchang: Mon, 23 March

6. Day 6·Tue, 24 March

   Shashthi

   Colour RedMaa Katyayani

   Born to sage Katyayana, she is the warrior form who slayed the demon Mahishasura.

   Prasadam: Honey

   ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:58 am

   Sunset

   6:10 pm

   Abhijit

   11:40 am – 12:29 pm

   That day's panchang: Tue, 24 March

7. Day 7·Wed, 25 March

   Saptami

   Colour Royal BlueMaa Kaalratri

   The fiercest form of Durga — dark-complexioned with wild hair. She destroys ignorance and darkness.

   Prasadam: Jaggery

   ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:57 am

   Sunset

   6:11 pm

   That day's panchang: Wed, 25 March

8. Day 8·Thu, 26 March·at sunrise

   Ashtami

   Colour PinkMaa Mahagauri

   The extremely fair and radiant form. After severe penance, Lord Shiva cleansed her with Ganga water, making her brilliantly white.

   Prasadam: Coconut

   ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः

   Sunrise

   5:56 am

   Sunset

   6:11 pm

   Abhijit

   11:39 am – 12:28 pm

   That day's panchang: Thu, 26 March

9. Day 9·Thu, 26 March·midday

   Navami

   Colour PurpleMaa Siddhidatri

   The granter of all siddhis (supernatural powers). Even Lord Shiva attained his powers through her grace.

   Prasadam: Sesame Seeds

   ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः

Tithi

Amavasya, then Pratipada

Nakshatra

Uttara Bhadrapada

Yoga

Shukla

Karana

Naga

Paksha

Krishna

Masa

Chaitra

Tithi

AmavasyaFrom 18 March, 8:25 amUntil 19 March, 6:53 amThen Pratipada · until 20 March, 4:52 am

Nakshatra

Uttara BhadrapadaFrom 19 March, 5:21 amUntil 20 March, 4:04 am

It begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and culminates with Ram Navami on the ninth day.

Rituals

Perform Ghatasthapana on Day 1 in the morning's Ghatasthapana Muhurat (the first third of the day while Pratipada holds), or else at the Abhijit Muhurta. Observe fasting for 9 days. Worship one form of Devi each day with specific colors, offerings, and mantras. Conclude with Kanya Puja and havan on Navami.

Fasting

Strict fasting for 9 days. Some observe nirjala (waterless) while others eat fruits and milk. Fasting is broken on Dashami after havan.

Varanasi celebrates Chaitra Navratri with special decorations at Durga Kund Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple. Kashi Vishwanath Temple hosts elaborate aarti. The ghats are illuminated with diyas and devotees take holy dips in the Ganga at dawn.