2026 Chaitra Navratri - The Navratri is made of words ‘Nav’ means nine and 'Raatri’ means night, and when combined it means nine nights 'Navratri’. Navaratri is known with distinct names like Nauratri, Navarathri, Navratam, or Nauratam is an Indian (Hindu) festival which is celebrated for nine nights honouring the Goddess Durga.

Navratri festival is usually celebrated twice in the month of first 9 days of the Ashwini or Kaar month in Shukla paksha and from Chaitra Sudi Pratipada to Navami in which Navadurga is fasted and prayed.

During Navaratri Goddess Durga who is also known as Shakti who is a symbol of ‘Power’ or ‘Energy’.

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Chaitra Navratri Meaning

Chaitra Navratri is also known by the name Vasant Navratri or Spring Navratri. It is a 9-day festival observed by Hindus during the month of Chaitra, ie, March and April. On the occasion, the Hindus observe the Hindu New Year and the arrival of the New Season. Goddess Durga and her 9 different forms are worshiped by devotees during this occasion. The fest is also a reminder of cleaning the mind and soul, the victory of good over evil, happiness, and success. The 9th day of the occasion is marked by the birthday of Lord Rama, ie, Rama Navami.

2026 Chaitra Navratri

Navratri is one festival which is celebrated in different states with and people celebrate it little different from others. If we talk in context to some ancient Hindu texts from the Shakta and Vaishnava Puranas, Navaratri falls twice or four times a year, and out of these four Sharada Navaratri (Ashwin Navratri) which falls in the nearing months between September-October is known as the most auspicious and most celebrated, the next most celebrated is the Chaitra Navratri (Vasanta Navratri) which is observed near spring (March-April).Devotees often check free online kundli to understand the spiritual influence of these Navratri periods on their zodiac signs and rituals based on their date of birth and time.

Significance of Chaitra Navratri

2026 Chaitra Navratri has a lot of significance in the beginning of the Hindu New Year. This is also called Vasant Navratri or Rama Navratri. The nine days are devoted to Goddess Durga, which comprises nine different forms known as Navadurga. These days of festivity are a time for new beginnings, mind and soul purification, victory of good over evil, and gaining new energy through prayer, fasting, and meditation. People introspect to elevate themselves and pray for ultimate happiness and prosperity.

When is Chaitra Navratri in 2026 ?

2026 Chaitra Navratri / Vasant Navratri - 18th March 2026 Friday, to 27th March 2026 Friday

Ashwin (Shardiya) Maha Navratri - 22 September 2025 Monday to 2 October 2025 Thursday

The dates for Navratri festival are not fixed as they are calculated as per the Muhurats and the Nakshatras every year and hence the dates vary from year to year. The other two are Magha Navaratri & Ashada Navratri are observed individually or regionally.

Months of Navratris apart from Sharada Navaratri & Chaitra (Vasanta) Navaratri

1. Magha Navaratri:  in Magha months falling from January till February, which is usually in the winter season. 

2. Ashada Navaratri:  in Ashadha months falling from June till July, which also the beginning months of the monsoon season.

The Shakti Swaroop (form) is worshipped all over India and devotion culminates during the 9-day festival of Navaratri.

Goddess shakti has different forms/reincarnations resembling diverse characteristics: and identified with different names Like goddess Parvati, Durga, Kali, Saraswati knows she can be Parvati, the benevolent goddess of harmony, Durga, the goddess which is correlated with tenacity and determination. Kali as the goddess of destruction or Saraswati as the goddess of literature and philosophy. These divine forms are deeply connected with spiritual energies, and many devotees take guidance from Astrology predictions while performing different rituals of Navratri.

2026 Chaitra Navratri Date - The Nine Forms of Maa Durga

Pratipada (19 March 2026) - Shailputri Mata - Navratri First Day

Shailaputri also is known as Pratipada, the first day of Navaratri is associated with Shailaputri the name means "Daughter of Mountain"), Shailputri is an incarnation of Devi Parvati. Goddess as Shailaputri is worshipped as the companion of Lord Shiva; depicted as riding the Nandi (bull), with a Trishula on her right and lotus in her left hand. Shailaputri is regarded as the primary incarnation of Mahakali.

Colour of the day: Red, which symbolises life and vitality.

Dwitiya (20 March 2026) - Maa Brahmacharini - Navratri Second Day

Goddess Brahmacharini, who is another incarnation of goddess Parvati, is worshipped on the second day of Navratras. It is stated that when Parvati became Sati she was reincarnated in this form, which was her unmarried self. Brahmacharini is worshipped for achieving liberty or Moksha (Nirvana) and gaining peace and prosperity. Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted as carrying a Japamala and Kamandal (a utensil to hold holy water of Ganges) in her hands with a posture of walking barefoot, she the symbol of joy and peace.

Colour of the day: Blue, Blue colour represents serenity and yet being strong.

Tritiya (21 March 2025) - Maa Chandraghanta Puja - Navratri Day 3

Known as the third form of goddess Durga, the name Chandraghanta or Chandra-Ghanta means "Someone who has a bell in shape of half-moon".

Colour of the day: Yellow, Blue colour represents liveliness and upscale anyone's mood.

Chaturthi (22 March 2025) - Maa Kushmanda Puja - Navratri Day 4

On the Chaturthi (fourth day) of Navaratri Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped, who is the source of the creative power of the universe, she linked with blessing earth with nature and vegetation on earth. Kushmanda is depicted sitting on a Tiger having eight arms.

Colour of the day: Green, Blue colour represents liveliness and upscale anyone's mood.

Panchami (23 March 2025)- Maa Skandamata Puja - Navratri Day 5

On the Panchami (Fifth day) of Navaratri, Goddess Skandamata is worshipped, she is known as the mother of Murugan (or Kartikeya).

Colour of the day: Grey, Grey represents the transformation of energy, vigour and fervour.

Shasthi (24 March 2025) - Maa Katyayani Puja - Navratri Day 6

On the Shasthi (sixth day) of Navaratri,  Goddess Katyayani is magnified she is the daughter of sage Katyayana and incarnation of Durga she is a supreme symbol of courage and power, she is the combatant goddess and she is one of the most violent reincarnations of Goddess Parvati. She rides a lion and has four hands.

Saptami (25 March 2025) - Maa Kalaratri Puja - Navratri Day 7

On the Saptami (seventh day) of Navaratri, Goddess Kalaratri (7th form of Goddess Durga) is worshipped she is one most stringent form of Goddess Durga, her appearances itself are panicking. However, she is believed to destroy all the negative energy and evil spirits.

Colour of the day: White, represents peace and typifies purity and prayer, vigour, and fervour.

Ashtami (26 March 2025) - Maa MahaGauri Puja - Navratri Day 8

On the Ashtami (eighth day) of Navaratri, Maa Mahgauri is worshipped who is the 8th form of Devi Durga, the word Maha+Gauri means something which is extremely white. She killed demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Colour of the day: Pink, represents optimism.

Navami (27 March 2025) - Maa Siddhidatri Puja - Navratri Day 9

On the Navami (ninth day) of Navaratri which is also the last day of the Navaratri festival is dedicated to Goddess Sidhidatri, the goddess sits on a lotus. Sidhidatri is the supreme of all the other 8 forms and known as the possessor of all the Siddhis (are spiritual, supernatural, or otherwise mystic powers, abilities, which are advanced through sādhanās one such is Yoga). Having four arms, she is also known with the name Saraswati Devi.

Colour of the day: Light Blue, this colour representation as a symbol of appreciation towards natures beauty.

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2026 Chaitra Navratri – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Que1. On which date is Chaitra Navratri in 2026?

2026 chaitra navratri date will start on Monday, March 19, 2026, and conclude on Tuesday, March 27, 2026.

Que2. What are the important dates of Chaitra Navratri 2026?

Day 1 (Pratipada): March 19, 2026 – Ghatasthapana, Shailputri Puja
Day 2 (Dwitiya): March 20, 2026 – Brahmacharini Puja
Day 3 (Tritiya): March 21, 2026 – Chandraghanta Puja
Day 4 (Chaturthi): March 22, 2026 - Kushmanda Puja
Day 5 (Panchami): March 23, 2026 - Skandamata Puja
Day 6 (Shashti): March 24, 2026 - Katyayani Puja
Day 7 (Saptami): March 25, 2026 - Kalaratri Puja
Day 8 (Ashtami): March 26, 2026 - Mahagauri Puja, Durga Ashtami, Sandhi Puja
Day 9 (Navami): March 27, 2026 - Siddhidatri Puja, Ram Navami

Que3. What is Ghatasthapana Muhurta in 2026?

The Ghatasthapana (navratri kalash sthapana puja) muhurta for Chaitra Navratri Start Date: March 19, 2026 (Thursday)
Muhurta Time: 6:11 AM to 10:23 AM (Duration: 4 hours 12 minutes)

Que4. Is Chaitra Navratri the same as Ram Navami?

No, Ram Navami (Lord Rama's birthday) is on the 9th day (Navami) of Chaitra Navratri. In 2026, Ram Navami is on March 27, 2026.

Que5. How is Chaitra Navratri different from Sharad Navratri?

Chaitra Navratri is in March-April (Hindu month Chaitra) and is the start of the Hindu New Year.
Sharad Navratri is in September-October (Hindu month Ashwin) and ends with Dussehra.

March 2026 is packed with powerful festivals and astrology events—check the complete list of important March festival here-: ram navami 2026/ mahavir jayanti 2026  / Papmochani Ekadashi 2026 / Holika Dahan Remedies / Holi 2026/Holi Festival Significance