Chaitra Navratri 2026: Complete Dates, Puja Vidhi & Significance

Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins on March 29 (Sunday) and ends on April 6 (Monday) with Ram Navami. This nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Vikram Samvat calendar.

Ghatasthapana, the ritual that initiates Navratri, should be performed during the Pratipada Tithi on March 29. The most auspicious muhurat for Ghatasthapana is between 6:15 AM and 10:30 AM IST. Setting up the Kalash during this window ensures maximum divine blessings.

Unlike Sharad Navratri in October, Chaitra Navratri falls during spring and holds special significance for new beginnings, property purchases, and starting new ventures.

Day 1 (March 29): Goddess Shailputri — Wear red, offer jasmine flowers. Governs the Moon. Day 2 (March 30): Goddess Brahmacharini — Wear royal blue, offer sugar to gain patience and wisdom.

Day 3 (March 31): Goddess Chandraghanta — Wear yellow, offer milk sweets. Day 4 (April 1): Goddess Kushmanda — Wear green, offer Malpua. She governs the Sun and grants health.

Day 5 (April 2): Goddess Skandamata — Wear grey, offer bananas. Day 6 (April 3): Goddess Katyayani — Wear orange, offer honey for marriage blessings. Day 7 (April 4): Goddess Kaalratri — Wear white, offer jaggery.

Day 8 (April 5): Goddess Mahagauri — Wear pink, offer coconut. Perform Kanya Pujan and Ashtami Havan. Day 9 (April 6): Goddess Siddhidatri — Wear purple, offer sesame seeds. This is also Ram Navami.

During Chaitra Navratri, devotees observe strict fasting. Allowed foods include fruits, milk, sabudana (sago), kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), singhara atta (water chestnut flour), and rock salt (sendha namak). Regular salt, grains, onion, and garlic are avoided.

Those unable to fast all nine days can observe fasts on the first day (Pratipada), eighth day (Ashtami), and ninth day (Navami). Breaking the fast is done after performing Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami.