Navratri 2026 begins Sunday, 11 October
Navratri 2026: dates, colours and your Garba plan.
Everything you need before the first beat: when the nine nights fall, what colour to wear each day, the steps worth practising, and how to make a Garba night with someone new feel easy.
Navratri 2026 at a glance
- First night
- Ninth night
- Dussehra
Navratri 2026 begins Sunday, 11 October
Nine nights. Nine colours. Plenty of chances.
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October, with Dussehra on 20 October. Plan your looks, your grounds and your dance partner early.
- 1 Sunday Orange Shailputri
- 2 Monday White Brahmacharini
- 3 Tuesday Red Chandraghanta
- 4 Wednesday Royal blue Kushmanda
- 5 Thursday Yellow Skandamata
- 6 Friday Green Katyayani
- 7 Saturday Grey Kalaratri
- 8 Sunday Purple Mahagauri
- 9 Monday Peacock green Siddhidatri
Colour guide as commonly followed for Sharad Navratri 2026. Customs vary by family and region.
Navratri 2026 day by day
Each day of Navratri honours one of the nine forms of Maa Durga. Many people wear the colour of the day, and a lot of Garba groups coordinate their outfits around it.
| Day | Date | Goddess | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maa Shailputri | Orange | |
| 2 | Maa Brahmacharini | White | |
| 3 | Maa Chandraghanta | Red | |
| 4 | Maa Kushmanda | Royal blue | |
| 5 | Maa Skandamata | Yellow | |
| 6 | Maa Katyayani | Green | |
| 7 | Maa Kalaratri | Grey | |
| 8 | Maa Mahagauri | Purple | |
| 9 | Maa Siddhidatri | Peacock green |
Garba steps worth practising
You do not need to be an expert. Knowing two or three steps is enough to join almost any circle, and it makes finding a partner who matches your pace a lot more fun.
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Be Taali બે તાળી
The two-clap step most people learn first. Step, step, clap, clap, and keep moving with the circle. If you know only one step, know this one.
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Tran Taali ત્રણ તાળી
Three claps per cycle, a little quicker and bouncier. Once the music picks up, most of the circle switches to this.
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Dodhiyu દોઢિયું
A faster, springier step with a sway and a turn. It looks effortless on the good dancers, and it is where a partner who matches your pace really helps.
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Dandiya Raas દાંડિયા રાસ
Danced with a pair of decorated sticks, facing a partner who changes as the lines move. Bring your own dandiya, and a partner who will not miss a beat.
Going to Garba with someone new
Meeting a Garba partner from an app for the first time? A few simple habits keep the night relaxed for both of you.
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Meet at the entrance
Choose a named gate or the main entrance as your meeting point, not somewhere quiet.
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Tell a friend
Share the ground, the time and the name of the person you are meeting with someone you trust.
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Your own ride, both ways
Arrive on your own and leave on your own, at least the first time.
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Respect the intent
If they chose “Just a Garba partner”, the night is about dancing. Let the chemistry decide the rest.
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Keep your phone charged
Garba nights run late. Carry a small power bank so you can always reach your people.
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Leave if it feels off
You never owe anyone a full night. Block or report in the app, and ask the venue staff for help.
Read more on how Garba keeps you safe.
What to carry on a Garba night
- Comfortable footwear, or a plan for dancing barefoot
- Safety pins for dupattas and a spare hair tie
- Water, and a little cash for the food stalls
- Your entry pass and a photo ID
- A small power bank
- Your dandiya sticks, if it is a raas night
Navratri 2026, answered.
When does Navratri start in 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026 with Ghatasthapana, and the ninth night is Monday, 19 October 2026.
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
What are the nine colours of Navratri 2026?
Day 1 (Sunday, 11 October): Orange. Day 2 (Monday, 12 October): White. Day 3 (Tuesday, 13 October): Red. Day 4 (Wednesday, 14 October): Royal blue. Day 5 (Thursday, 15 October): Yellow. Day 6 (Friday, 16 October): Green. Day 7 (Saturday, 17 October): Grey. Day 8 (Sunday, 18 October): Purple. Day 9 (Monday, 19 October): Peacock green.
What is the colour for day 1 of Navratri 2026?
Orange is the colour commonly followed for the first day, Sunday 11 October 2026, when Maa Shailputri is worshipped.
How many Garba nights are there in Navratri 2026?
There are nine nights of Garba, from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October 2026. Many grounds also host events on the weekends around them.
How can I find a Garba partner for Navratri 2026?
Use Garba. Make a free profile, choose whether you want just a Garba partner or are open to dating, save your grounds, and match with people dancing on the same nights in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara and Surat.
Nine nights. One circle. Maybe your person.
Make your profile tonight, and walk into the first Garba night already knowing who you are meeting at the entrance.
Going with friends? Get them on it too.
No app store needed. Open Garba in your browser and add it to your home screen.