Navratri 2026: Dates, nine days’ colours, puja timings and Mumbai celebrations

Navratri 2026 is set to bring nine nights of devotion dance and festivities to Mumbai with Shardiya Navratri beginning on Sunday October 11 and ending on Monday October 19 The festival will be followed by Vijayadashami or Dussehra on Tuesday October 20Dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga known as the Navadurga Navratri is celebrated across India with prayers fasting garba dandiya and cultural programmes In Mumbai and Maharashtra the festival is marked by largescale garba and dandiya nights alongside devotional celebrations at temples and community venuesNavratri 2026 dates When does Navratri start and endNavratri 2026 begins on October 11 and concludes on October 19 with each of the nine days dedicated to a different form of Goddess DurgaThe festival begins with Ghatasthapana on October 11According to Drik Panchang the Ghatasthapana muhurat is expected to fall between approximately 619 am and 1012 am An additional Abhijit Muhurat window is between 1201 pm and 1249 pmDurga Ashtami will be observed on October 18 while Maha Navami falls on October 19 The celebrations will culminate with VijayadashamiDussehra on October 20Exact puja timings and muhurats can vary according to the panchang and location so devotees are advised to verify timings with their local temple or preferred panchangNavratri 2026 colours 9 daysrsquo colours and Goddess Durga formsThe Navratri 2026 colours are traditionally associated with each day of the festival The colour sequence is particularly popular in western India including Mumbai and MaharashtraNavratri 2026 Day 1 Maa Shailputri and orange colourThe first day of Navratri 2026 October 11 is dedicated to Maa Shailputri regarded as the daughter of the mountains and associated with purity and strength The colour for the day is orange symbolising energy enthusiasm and new beginningsNavratri Day 2 Maa Brahmacharini and whiteOctober 12 is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini associated with penance devotion and knowledge White representing peace purity and calmness is the colour of the dayNavratri Day 3 Maa Chandraghanta and redOctober 13 honours Maa Chandraghanta who is associated with courage and bravery The colour for Day 3 is red symbolising passion love and powerNavratri Day 4 Maa Kushmanda and royal blueOctober 14 is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda who is traditionally believed to have created the universe with her divine smile Royal blue associated with richness royalty and stability is the colour for the fourth dayNavratri Day 5 Maa Skandamata and yellowOctober 15 honours Maa Skandamata the mother of Lord Skanda or Kartikeya Yellow representing happiness brightness and positivity is associated with Day 5Navratri Day 6 Maa Katyayani and greenOctober 16 is dedicated to Maa Katyayani regarded as a fierce warrior form of Goddess Durga The colour for the day is green symbolising growth harmony and new lifeNavratri Day 7 Maa Kalaratri and greyOctober 17 honours Maa Kalaratri considered one of the fiercest forms of Goddess Durga and associated with the destruction of darkness and evil Grey represents transformation and inner strengthNavratri Day 8 Durga Ashtami Maa Mahagauri and purpleDurga Ashtami 2026 falls on October 18 The day is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri who represents purity calm and forgiveness The associated colour is purple symbolising ambition luxury and spiritualityNavratri Day 9 Maha Navami Maa Siddhidatri and peacock greenMaha Navami 2026 falls on October 19 and marks the ninth day of Navratri The day is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri regarded as the bestower of supernatural powers and perfection Peacock green associated with individuality uniqueness and rejuvenation is the colour for Day 9The ninecolour sequence is a popular convention linked to the weekday on which Navratri begins each year It is not a fixed astrological rule and may vary across regions and communitiesMumbai Navratri 2026 Garba and dandiya celebrationsMumbai Navratri 2026 celebrations are expected to revolve around garba and dandiya events throughout the nineday festival from October 11 to 19The city is expected to host a mix of traditional community garba events and larger commercial celebrations including dandiya nights Garba Raas techno garba and Bollywoodthemed eventsSeveral venues are expected to feature live orchestras DJs and celebrity performers while community grounds and halls are likely to host familyoriented garba and dandiya events Food stalls parking facilities garba competitions and bestdressed contests are also commonly part of Mumbais Navratri celebrationsMumbai dandiya nights 2026 Timings and eventsGarba and dandiya events in Mumbai generally begin after sunset with many programmes starting between 7 pm and 9 pm and continuing late into the nightTickets and passes for several major Mumbai Navratri 2026 events are expected to be available online Event timings performers ticket prices and venue details can vary so attendees should check the official listing of the event organiser before making plansWith the festival combining religious observances with largescale cultural events Navratri 2026 in Mumbai is expected to bring together devotees families and garba enthusiasts across the city for nine nights of celebrations