The most awaited part of the year — when the whole country is immersed in celebration, devotion and dressing — is almost upon us. Sharad Navratri, which takes place in the autumn season, brings joy into the ambience across nine days, where each day is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga, honouring a different aspect of Shakti. During the celebration, devotees offer their respect by performing rituals and celebrate the occasion through Garba in traditional ethnic wear.
Each day of Navratri is associated with its own auspicious colour that represents the values of that particular day, and dressing accordingly can further enhance the meaning and experience of the celebration. For that, we have brought a comprehensive guide with a day-wise colour and outfit breakdown that will make your Navratri 2026 both devotional and fashionable.
When Is Navratri in 2026 — Date and Calendar
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on 11th October and ends on 19th October. Each day is dedicated to a particular form of Goddess Durga. During this period, devotees indulge in morning and evening puja ceremonies and observe fasting, followed by Dandiya nights where they joyfully perform Garba.
Navratri 2026 — Auspicious Colour for Each Day
Day Date Goddess Colour
Day 1 11 October Shailputri Orange
Day 2 12 October Brahmacharini White
Day 3 13 October Chandraghanta Red
Day 4 14 October Kushmanda Royal Blue
Day 5 15 October Skandamata Yellow
Day 6 16 October Katyayani Green
Day 7 17 October Kaalratri Grey
Day 8 18 October Mahagauri Purple
Day 9 19 October Siddhidatri Peacock Green
How to Style and What to Wear During the Celebration
1st Day of Navratri 2026 — 11th October
The first day of Navratri begins with Goddess Shailputri and orange is considered the auspicious colour of the day. It represents warmth, joy and freshness with which we begin the celebration.
Dressing in orange feels both thoughtful and elegant due to its brightness and celebratory energy. It pairs well with ensembles like an Anarkali or kurta set in a comfortable fabric with Chikankari embroidery, or a Chaniya Choli with mirror work.
For accessories, keep jewellery minimal if your outfit carries heavy embellishment — otherwise, a statement earring or necklace works beautifully. Dark silver or gold jewellery looks perfect against an orange backdrop, while flat footwear is suitable for the mobility Garba demands.
2nd Day of Navratri 2026 — 12th October
On the 2nd day of Navratri, devotees honour Goddess Brahmacharini and white is the auspicious colour of the day. The colour represents purity, calmness and peace that anchor both the puja ceremony and the Garba dance.
Dressing in white with a Chikankari Anarkali offers a timeless and understated elegance, while opting for a Lehenga Choli with mirror work on the border feels simple yet festive.
Combining this with pearl jewellery adds fluency to the ensemble, while pairing with a colourful dupatta and bangles brings contrast and a celebratory touch to the look.
3rd Day of Navratri 2026 — 13th October
On the 3rd day of Navratri, Goddess Chandraghanta blesses her devotees with her arrival. Red takes over the day for its deeply auspicious value.
A heavily favoured colour in festive dressing, red represents bravery, courage and strength. Go for an ensemble like a Lehenga Choli, Anarkali or kurta set with minimal mirror work and pair with gold jewellery to complement the look. If dressing minimally, feature a statement gold piece, or opt for different shades of red to add depth and uplift the overall outfit.
4th Day of Navratri 2026 — 14th October
Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on the 4th day of Navratri, and royal blue is the auspicious colour of the day. It represents health, wealth and confidence that reflect in your energy during the celebration.
For the outfit, opt for a flared lehenga with a minimally embroidered choli featuring either a floral design or mirror work, paired with a similar-palette dupatta with a silver-thread embellished border.
A rustic silver choker looks particularly striking against royal blue, and silver earrings accentuate the overall look without competing with the richness of the colour.
5th Day of Navratri 2026 — 15th October
Goddess Skandamata is praised on the 5th day of Navratri. This day is associated with yellow, which symbolises warmth and joy through its bright, cheerful and sunshine qualities.
Dressing in yellow for Navratri allows you to move from a simple Bandhani kurta set or Anarkali to a full Lehenga Choli with multicolour thread work around the border and an embroidered choli.
Combine the ensemble with a red dupatta, colourful bangles and rustic silver jewellery — this adds colour contrast to the look that amplifies the overall outfit beautifully.
6th Day of Navratri 2026 — 16th October
The 6th day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, and green is the auspicious colour of the day. It represents nature, prosperity and new beginnings — qualities that align with the growing energy of the celebration as it reaches its midpoint.
Green is one of the most versatile colours in the festive palette. A green Bandhani Lehenga Choli or a silk Anarkali with gold zari detailing both translate beautifully for Garba nights. For a more casual daytime puja look, a green cotton kurta set with minimal embroidery works equally well.
Pair with gold temple jewellery — a long necklace, jhumkas and gold bangles — to complement the richness of the green. A contrasting dupatta in deep red or mustard yellow adds a festive dimension to the overall look.
7th Day of Navratri 2026 — 17th October
Goddess Kaalratri is honoured on the 7th day, and grey is the auspicious colour assigned to this day. While grey may seem like a quieter choice for a festive occasion, this is precisely what makes it the most elegant option of the nine nights.
A grey embroidered Anarkali with silver threadwork, or a grey Chaniya Choli with mirror-work detailing, channels a refined and sophisticated Navratri look. The key with grey is in the accessories and contrast — pair with silver oxidised jewellery, a vibrant pink or purple dupatta, and colourful bangles that bring the look to life without overwhelming the calm of the grey base.
8th Day of Navratri 2026 — 18th October
The 8th day of Navratri — Maha Ashtami — is one of the most significant of all nine nights, dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. Purple is the colour of the day, representing wisdom, dignity and spiritual power.
Deep aubergine, wine and rich plum all fall within the purple palette and each works beautifully for festive dressing. A purple silk Lehenga Choli with heavy embroidery or a Bandhani Anarkali in a deep violet shade are both strong choices for what is one of the most celebrated evenings of Navratri.
For jewellery, gold with polki or kundan stones complements the depth of purple exceptionally well. Keep the hair adorned with mogra flowers or a traditional maang tikka to complete the festive look for this special night.
9th Day of Navratri 2026 — 19th October
The 9th and final night of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri, and peacock green — a blue-leaning teal — is the auspicious colour to close the celebration. It represents fulfilment, completeness and the culmination of the divine energy worshipped across nine days.
Peacock green in a tissue silk or organza Lehenga Choli with gold or silver embellishment is among the most striking festive looks of the season. An Anarkali in peacock green with a contrast dupatta in gold or ivory also works beautifully for both the morning puja and the final Garba night.
Pair with gold kundan jewellery, statement jhumkas and a maang tikka. Let the final night be the most dressed — it is the close of nine days of celebration, and your outfit should reflect that.
Final Thought
Navratri is not just nine days of dressing up — it is nine days of showing up with intention, for both the celebration and yourself. Each colour carries meaning, each outfit tells a story, and each night of Garba is a chance to honour tradition while expressing your own sense of style. Whether you follow the colour guide strictly or interpret it through your own wardrobe, the spirit of Navratri lives in how you wear it. Dress thoughtfully, dance freely and make this year's celebration one to remember.
