Navratri means ‘nine nights’; it is a beautiful festival celebrated in India. There are two widely celebrated Navratri festivals, named Chaitra and Sharada Navratri. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the Hindu calendar months of Chaitra (March-April). It is also known as Vasanta Navratri. This holy festival of Navratri is dedicated to worshipping the Goddess Durga. In 2026, Chaitra Navratri will be observed from March 19 to March 27, 2026.
This Nine-day festival is celebrated with deep devotion across India. Chaitra Navratri is most popular in northern India. Here you will get detailed information on Chaitra Navratri dates, significance and more.
Chaitra Navratri starts from 19 to March 27, 2026. Throughout India, Rama Navami is widely celebrated on the last day of Navratri, which is the perfect mix of the spiritual importance of the festival. The list of Navratri with dates, rituals, tithi, goddesses worshipped and offerings.
| Day & Date (2026) | Rituals | Tithi | Offerings | Goddess Worshipped |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – March 19 | Ghatasthapana, Kalash Sthapana | Pratipada | Ghee, Cow Milk | Maa Shailputri |
| Day 2 – March 20 | Brahmacharini Puja, Fasting | Dwitiya | Sugar, Fruits | Maa Brahmacharini |
| Day 3 – March 21 | Chandraghanta Puja | Tritiya | Milk, Sweets | Maa Chandraghanta |
| Day 4 – March 22 | Kushmanda Puja | Chaturthi | Malpua, Fruits | Maa Kushmanda |
| Day 5 – March 23 | Skandamata Puja | Panchami | Bananas | Maa Skandamata |
| Day 6 – March 24 | Katyayani Puja | Shashti | Honey | Maa Katyayani |
| Day 7 – March 25 | Kalaratri Puja | Saptami | Jaggery (Gur) | Maa Kalaratri |
| Day 8 – March 26 | Durga Ashtami, Kanya Pujan | Ashtami | Coconut, Halwa-Puri-Chana | Maa Mahagauri |
| Day 9 – March 27 | Ram Navami, Havan, Kanya Pujan | Navami | Sesame Seeds, Fruits | Maa Siddhidatri |
Chaitra Navratri is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and is celebrated with great devotion across India. During these 9 days, devotees do puja, fasting and prayers to seek blessings for happiness, health and success.
If you want to perform the puja properly without any difficulty, you can easily book your Chaitra Navratri Puja through YatraDham.org and take part in the rituals from your home with full faith and convenience.
Chaitra Navratri is an important festival, as it is the beginning of the Hindu new year. During these nine days, people worship different forms of goddess Durga to seek her blessings for happiness, success and peace. The significance and importance of the festival lie in the battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. It is celebrated because no matter how difficult the battle is, the true side always wins.
The Navratri festival also ends with Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, which makes it even more special. This festival is more popular in northern India. In Maharashtra, the festival begins with Gudi Padwa, starting the new year. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it starts with Ugadi, the regional New Year festival. For the Sindhi community, this time is celebrated as Cheti Chand on the second day of Navratri, which is dedicated to Jhulelal Ji, their worshipped deity and is the New Year for the particular community.
Each day of Navratri is associated with specific colours, which symbolise different energies and blessings. Devotees can wear clothes of these colours to attract positive vibes. The list of Chaitra Navratri colours with dates is mentioned below:
| Day & Weekday | Date (2026) | Colour | Goddess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – Thursday | March 19 | Yellow | Maa Shailputri |
| Day 2 – Friday | March 20 | Green | Maa Brahmacharini |
| Day 3 – Saturday | March 21 | Grey | Maa Chandraghanta |
| Day 4 – Sunday | March 22 | Orange | Maa Kushmanda |
| Day 5 – Monday | March 23 | White | Maa Skandamata |
| Day 6 – Tuesday | March 24 | Red | Maa Katyayani |
| Day 7 – Wednesday | March 25 | Royal Blue | Maa Kalaratri |
| Day 8 – Thursday | March 26 | Pink | Maa Mahagauri |
| Day 9 – Friday | March 27 | Purple | Maa Siddhidatri |
Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. During this time, devotees pray, fast and follow special rituals to seek the Goddess’s blessings. Here are the main rituals of Navratri:
1. Kalash Sthapana (Ghatasthapana): First day
- This festival starts with Kalash Sthapana, where the pot or kalash is filled with water and placed in the puja area.
- Barley seeds are sown around the kalash, which grows during the nine days and it symbolises good luck.
2. Daily Pooja and Aarti
- Every day, people worship a different form of Goddess Durga.
- Aarti, bhajans and mantra chanting take place in homes and in temples.
- Devotees light a Diya (lamp) in front of the Goddess and keep it burning throughout Navratri, which is known as Akhand Jyoti.
3. Fasting (Vrat)
- Many devotees fast during these nine days. Some eat only fruits and milk, while others have one simple meal a day.
- Sattvic (pure) foods are commonly eaten during these days.
- The fasting methods include:
- Full fasting: Consuming only fruits, milk and water.
- Partial fasting: Eating once a day with simple sattvic (pure) food.
- Restricted diet: Avoiding onion, garlic, wheat and rice and only sattvic fruits.
The fasting is broken on the ninth day after performing Kanya Puja.
4. Reading of Holy Books and Mantras
Devotees read spiritual scriptures to seek the divine blessings:
- Durga Saptashati is chanted daily.
- Some people read the Devi Bhagavtam or the Ramayana, as Chaitra Navratri ends with Lord Rama’s birth (Ram Navami).
- Mantras like “Jai Mata Di” are chanted daily for spiritual energy.
5. Kanya Puja (Kanjak Puja): eighth or ninth day
One of the most significant rituals of Navratri is Kanya Pujan, performed on the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day.
- Young girls (Kanyas) of 2 to 10 years are invited into homes and worshipped as incarnations of the goddess Durga.
- Their feet are washed as a sign of respect and offered a special meal of Puri, Chana and halwa.
- They are also given bangles, clothes and small gifts as blessings.
This ritual brings happiness to the family.
6. Havan/Yajna on Navami
On the ninth day, many devotees perform a havan to conclude the Navratri prayers.
- Ghee, herbs and wood are offered into the fire while chanting mantras.
- It is believed that the smoke from the havan purifies the surroundings and removes the negative energy.
This is the end of the nine-day Durga worship.
7. Ram Navami Celebration: Ninth Day
Chaitra Navratri also ends with Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama.
- Devotees visit temples dedicated to Lord Rama and sing bhajans.
- Special Rama Katha and Ramayan readings are organised in the temples.
- Many people keep a fast on Ram Navami and break it after offering bhog to the goddess.
Also, check Ramnavami: History, Importance, Wishes & Images
8. Ending the Puja (Kalash Visarjan)
On the last day of Navratri, the kalash is removed and the barley sprouts that have grown in the nine days are either
- Dip in a holy river or water body, or
- Kept at home in the temple as a symbol of blessings.
This ritual symbolises the completion of the Navratri puja and devotees seek blessings for health, happiness and success.
Fasting Food List For Vasant Navratri
During Navratri, devotees observe fasting and follow a sattvic (pure) diet, avoiding grains, onions and garlic. Instead, they consume special fasting foods made from ingredients like sabudana (sago), kuttu, singhara and makhana.
These fasting foods are not just delicious but also nutritious, keeping you energised throughout the Navratri fast. They provide the required strength while ensuring that the vrat (fast) is observed traditionally and purely.
In conclusion, Chaitra Navratri 2026 is a wonderful time for devotion and has spiritual importance. Whether you fast, visit a temple or take part in pujas, the festival is a great way to connect with divine energy.
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