The Navratri 2026 colours for all nine days, 11 to 19 October, with the goddess for each day and which saree to wear in each colour.
What are the Navratri colours for 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). Each day honours one form of the goddess.
The list changes every year because it is set by the weekday Navratri begins on. In 2026 the first day falls on a Sunday, which is why the sequence opens with orange. Always check the current year's list rather than reusing last year's.
| Day | Date | Colour | Goddess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sun, 11 Oct | Orange | Maa Shailaputri |
| Day 2 | Mon, 12 Oct | White | Maa Brahmacharini |
| Day 3 | Tue, 13 Oct | Red | Maa Chandraghanta |
| Day 4 | Wed, 14 Oct | Royal Blue | Maa Kushmanda |
| Day 5 | Thu, 15 Oct | Yellow | Maa Skandamata |
| Day 6 | Fri, 16 Oct | Green | Maa Katyayani |
| Day 7 | Sat, 17 Oct | Grey | Maa Kalaratri |
| Day 8 (Ashtami) | Sun, 18 Oct | Purple | Maa Mahagauri |
| Day 9 (Navami) | Mon, 19 Oct | Peacock Green | Maa Siddhidatri |
Which saree should I wear for each Navratri colour?
Pick from the colour family rather than chasing an exact shade. Saffron and rust count as orange, ivory and cream as white, maroon as red, navy as royal blue, mustard as yellow, and teal or firozi as peacock green.
For days you will spend at the pandal or at work, a light printed or art silk saree is easier to carry through a long day. Keep heavier zari butti pieces for Ashtami and Navami, when most families dress up most.
Red, white and peacock green are the easiest days to dress for — there is plenty of choice in every price band. Grey is the hardest; a grey-and-silver border on an ivory or white saree is a common way around it.
Can I wear a saree to garba?
Yes, if it is light. Choose georgette, art silk or a soft blend, pin the pleats and pallu securely, and skip heavy zari that drags when you turn. For hours of fast dancing many people switch to a chaniya choli for the later nights.
Wear the pleats a little shorter than usual so they clear your feet, and use two safety pins at the shoulder rather than one. A fitted blouse matters more than usual — garba is the one occasion where a loose blouse becomes a real problem.
When do Ashtami and Navami fall in 2026?
Ashtami, the eighth day, is Sunday 18 October and its colour is purple. Navami, the ninth day, is Monday 19 October in peacock green. Dussehra (Vijayadashami) follows on Tuesday 20 October.
These are the two days most families plan their best outfits around, so if you are buying only one or two new sarees for Navratri, buy for these.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the colour of day 1 of Navratri 2026?
Orange. Day 1 is Sunday 11 October 2026 and is dedicated to Maa Shailaputri. Saffron and rust also work if you do not own a true orange.
What colour is Ashtami in Navratri 2026?
Purple. Ashtami falls on Sunday 18 October 2026, the day of Maa Mahagauri. Wine and violet sit in the same family.
What colour should I wear on Navami 2026?
Peacock green. Navami is Monday 19 October 2026, dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri. Teal and firozi are close enough for most people.
Do I have to wear the exact shade each day?
No. The colour of the day is a tradition, not a rule, and most people wear something from the same colour family. What matters is that you are comfortable through a long day.
Why are the Navratri colours different every year?
The sequence depends on the weekday Navratri begins on, so it shifts from year to year. That is why a list from last year will be wrong this year.
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