The confusion around Sharad Navratri 2026 comes from one calendar detail: Pratipada Tithi begins on the night of October 10, but the festival starts after sunrise on October 11. For devotees planning Ghatasthapana, fasting or Garba nights, Sunday, October 11, 2026 is the date to mark.
According to the Drik Panchang New Delhi calendar, Pratipada begins at 9:19 pm on October 10 and ends at 9:30 pm on October 11. Because the relevant tithi is present after sunrise, Ghatasthapana falls on October 11. The nine-day colour sequence also begins that Sunday.
Key Highlights
- Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11, not October 10.
- Pratipada Tithi runs from 9:19 pm on October 10 to 9:30 pm on October 11.
- Delhi’s Ghatasthapana window is 6:19 am to 10:12 am; Abhijit Muhurat is 11:44 am to 12:31 pm.
- The colour sequence starts with orange, while Vijayadashami falls on October 20.
Why Navratri 2026 Starts On October 11, Not October 10
October 10 appears in searches because Pratipada begins that night at 9:19 pm. The next sunrise arrives while Pratipada is still running, so October 11 becomes the first day of Sharad Navratri.
The 2026 Sharad Navratri calendar lists Shailputri Puja and Ghatasthapana on October 11. Day 2, dedicated to Brahmacharini, follows on October 12. Reading only the lunar tithi start date can therefore lead to the wrong festival date.
There is another calendar wrinkle in 2026. Saptami stretches across October 17 and 18 in the Lucknow calendar, while Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami observances come together on October 19. Vijayadashami is listed for October 20.
Ghatasthapana 2026 Muhurat And What Devotees Should Check
Ghatasthapana marks the formal beginning of Navratri worship. Timing varies by city because sunrise differs across India. For New Delhi, the main muhurat is 6:19 am to 10:12 am on October 11. The Abhijit option runs from 11:44 am to 12:31 pm.
A short planning checklist can prevent date and timing mix-ups:
- Confirm the October 11 Ghatasthapana window for the city where the puja will be performed.
- Keep the kalash, coconut, leaves, sacred thread and grains ready before the chosen muhurat.
- Begin Shailputri worship after Ghatasthapana instead of treating October 10 night as Day 1.
The date remains October 11 across the references checked, but timings vary. Varanasi, for example, has a 5:54 am to 9:48 am Ghatasthapana window, showing why copying another city’s muhurat may give the wrong local timing.
Navratri 2026 Nine Colours From Orange To Peacock Green
The colour tradition follows the weekday sequence. Drik Panchang’s 2026 Navratri colours calendar notes that the order changes from one year to another according to the weekday sequence.
| Date | Day | Navratri Colour |
| October 11 | Sunday | Orange |
| October 12 | Monday | White |
| October 13 | Tuesday | Red |
| October 14 | Wednesday | Royal Blue |
| October 15 | Thursday | Yellow |
| October 16 | Friday | Green |
| October 17 | Saturday | Grey |
| October 18 | Sunday | Purple |
| October 19 | Monday | Peacock Green |
The colours now sit alongside a festival tradition with international recognition. Garba of Gujarat entered UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023, becoming India’s 15th inscription at the time.
What Is Different About Navratri 2026 And What Comes Next
For people planning travel, temple visits or community celebrations, three dates deserve separate attention:
- October 11: Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja begin Sharad Navratri.
- October 19: Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami observances overlap in the listed calendar.
- October 20: Vijayadashami, Navratri Parana and Durga Visarjan are listed.
The takeaway is simple: October 10 is the tithi-start date, while October 11 is the festival-start date. Those following a family or temple tradition should still check the city-specific panchang before fixing puja timings.
FAQs
What Is The Ghatasthapana Time On October 11, 2026?
For New Delhi, the main Ghatasthapana Muhurat runs from 6:19 am to 10:12 am. Local sunrise changes the timing, so devotees should check their city.
When Is Dussehra Or Vijayadashami In 2026?
Vijayadashami is listed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, alongside Navratri Parana and Durga Visarjan in the referenced North Indian Sharad Navratri calendar that year.
From Film Reviews to Big-Screen Buzz!
Is Sigma Worth Watching This Weekend?
Check out the story, performances, and rating of Sundeep Kishan’s latest film.
What Makes Verity So Intriguing?
Find out what Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson’s thriller is all about.
Can Kashmir Become A Cinema Hub?
Explore the first international film festival featuring 135 movies from 41 countries.
What Is Nagarjuna’s King100 About?
Uncover Nagarjuna’s first glimpse and details about his rags-to-riches role.
Can Toxic Deliver Another Blockbuster?
Dive into Yash’s first post-KGF film and its pan-India expectations.
