{"id":"f-993d06a2ab-1f2e02b0-e6a8-5a3b-9785-75b0e0dc897d","title":"Chaitra Navratri 2026: Dates, Ghatasthapana muhurat, 9-day Goddess calendar, colours and fasting rules","description":"Chaitra Navratri 2026 will be observed from March 19 to March 27, ending with Ram Navami, marking a period of prayer, fasting and spiritual renewal. The festival begins with Ghatasthapana during the morning muhurat and continues with nine days dedicated to different forms of Goddess Durga.","timestamp":1773753131,"category":"food_and_health","headline":"Chaitra Navratri 2026: Dates, Ghatasthapana muhurat, 9-day Goddess calendar, colours and fasting rules","modifiedHeadline":"Navratri 2026: Dates & Ritual Guide","subCategories":["scid_6bda76c2"],"subcategoriesName":["Top Story"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"7b48871c-c993-4956-b43d-6f46f8e1b036","bundleTitle":"Today In India","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"460","iabCategoryName":"Hinduism","fcSummary":"chaitra navratri, a nine-day festival starting march 19, 2026, marks a spiritual new year for many in india. the ghatasthapana, a crucial ritual, has specific timings (6:20-10:15 am or 12:05-12:55 pm). each day honors a different goddess, with associated colors and fasting guidelines (no grains, onion, or garlic). kanya puja, honoring young girls, is a cherished tradition. the festival culminates on march 27, coinciding with ram navami.","summary":"Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins March 19, featuring 9 days of devotion, fasting & rituals. Ghatasthapana muhurat: 6:20 AM - 10:15 AM.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/India_News/IN/en/et-now/f-993d06a2ab-1f2e02b0-e6a8-5a3b-9785-75b0e0dc897d","sourceUrl":"https://www.etnownews.com/news/chaitra-navratri-2026-dates-ghatasthapana-muhurat-9-day-goddess-calendar-colours-and-fasting-rules-article-153854366","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/qItZ0JcYVK-0.webp","content":"

\n $\"chaitra$ \n

The countdown to Chaitra Navratri has begun, and this year, the nine-day festival will take place from March 19 to March 27, 2026, concluding with Ram

\n\n\n

Navami. For many across India, this isn’t just another festival - it marks the spiritual start of a new year, a time to reset, reflect and begin again. For those who have been celebrating this festival for years, the drill is familiar. Wake up early on Day 1, get the kalash ready, and don't miss the muhurat. For first-timers, here is everything broken down.

\n\n

The Ghatasthapana Timing

This is the one thing you cannot get wrong on March 19. The kalash — a pot filled with water, a coconut on top, mango leaves around the rim — has to be placed during the right window.\n
\n
\nThis year that window is 6:20 AM to 10:15 AM. Slept in? There is still a second chance between 12:05 PM and 12:55 PM. After that, you have missed it for the day.\n
\n
\nCheck your local panchang though. Timings shift a little depending on where you live.\n
\n
\n

Nine Days, Nine Goddesses

Day 1 — March 19 — Shailputri. The mountain's daughter. Grounded, steady, strong.\n
\n
\nDay 2 — March 20 — Brahmacharini. Discipline and devotion. She walks barefoot and does not complain.\n
\n
\nDay 3 — March 21 — Chandraghanta. Half moon on her forehead. She handles fear so you don't have to.\n
\n
\nDay 4 — March 22 — Kushmanda. Creation and sunlight. Pray for good health today.\n
\n
\nDay 5 — March 23 — Skandamata. A mother first. This day is for families.\n
\n
\nDay 6 — March 24 — Katyayani. Fierce and direct. Young women have prayed to her for centuries.\n
\n
\nDay 7 — March 25 — Kalaratri. The hardest day. Sit with whatever you have been avoiding.\n
\n
\nDay 8 — March 26 — Mahagauri. Peace returns. Ashtami puja happens in most homes today.\n
\n
\nDay 9 — March 27 — Siddhidatri. Last day, biggest blessings. Also Ram Navami. A good day to end on.\n
\n
\n

Colours to Wear

Colours play a big role in Navratri celebrations, with each day carrying its own shade:\n
\n
\nDay 1 – March 19 - Yellow\n
\n
\nDay 2 – March 20 - Green\n
\n
\nDay 3 – March 21 - Grey\n
\n
\nDay 4 – March 22 - Orange\n
\n
\nDay 5 – March 23 - White\n
\n
\nDay 6 – March 24 - Red\n
\n
\nDay 7 – March 25 - Blue\n
\n
\nDay 8 – March 26 - Pink\n
\n
\nDay 9 – March 27 - Purple\n
\n
\n

Eating During the Fast

No grains. No onion. No garlic. No meat. That is the basic rule most households follow.\n
\n
What you can eat — sabudana, kuttu flour, singhara flour, fruits, dairy, and rock salt. Plenty of people actually enjoy the food more during Navratri than the rest of the year. Sabudana khichdi cooked right beats regular lunch on most days.\n
\n

Kanya Puja — Don't Skip This

On Ashtami or Navami, young girls — usually between ages 2 and 10 — are invited home, fed a full meal, and given small gifts before leaving. It is not just ritual. Ask anyone who grew up being the kanya at someone's puja, and they will tell you it is one of those memories that sticks around.\n
\n
\n

One Last Thing

\n
\nMarch 27 is both Navami and Ram Navami this year. Two major occasions landing on the same Friday. Temples will be packed. If you are planning to visit one, go early or go late. Midday will be chaos.\n
\nNine days. Starts Thursday March 19. First muhurat at 6:20 in the morning.\n
\nDon't oversleep.\n

","readDurationInMinutes":"6","author":{"name":"ET Now","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/jpeg/7aec3c7f-0d5c-4772-be2b-8a2314586551.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[{"measurementId":"G-FHL4HKFC2Z","type":"GA"},{"measurementId":"26200502","type":"COMSCORE","partnerName":"glance"}],"pointerSummary":["Chaitra Navratri begins March 19, 2026, marking a spiritual new year for many Indians.","Ghatasthapana (kalash placement) timings are 6:20-10:15 AM or 12:05-12:55 PM; check local timings.","The nine-day festival features nine goddesses, colour-coded days, and culminates in Ram Navami."],"tags":["ChaitraNavratri2026","HinduFestival","Ghatasthapana","RamNavami","GoddessDurga","SpiritualRenewal","FastingRules","NavratriColors","KanyaPuja","IndianCulture"],"redirectionEnabled":false,"consent":true}

Chaitra Navratri 2026: Dates, Ghatasthapana muhurat, 9-day Goddess calendar, colours and fasting rules

SUMMARY