Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October and ends on Monday, 19 October, with Dussehra (Vijayadashami) on Tuesday, 20 October. Many families, especially in Gujarat, follow a colour for each of the nine nights. Here is the commonly published colour sequence for 2026, with simple outfit ideas for garba and dandiya nights.
Navratri 2026 colours by day
- Day 1, Sunday 11 Oct: Orange. Energy and new beginnings. A marigold dupatta or orange mirror-work blouse looks great under garba lights.
- Day 2, Monday 12 Oct: White. Calm and purity. Pair a white chaniya choli with oxidised silver jewellery.
- Day 3, Tuesday 13 Oct: Red. Strength and passion. Red and gold is a classic that never fails.
- Day 4, Wednesday 14 Oct: Royal blue. Confidence and grace. Try a deep blue lehenga with bright embroidery.
- Day 5, Thursday 15 Oct: Yellow. Joy and brightness. Yellow with contrast borders photographs beautifully.
- Day 6, Friday 16 Oct: Green. Growth and harmony. Green bandhani is a natural choice.
- Day 7, Saturday 17 Oct: Grey. Balance and style. A modern Indo-western look suits this day.
- Day 8, Sunday 18 Oct: Purple. Royalty and ambition. Add a silver or antique-gold accessory set.
- Day 9, Monday 19 Oct: Peacock green. Elegance and celebration. A fitting colour for the final night.
Note: this is the commonly published weekday-based sequence. Some families and communities follow a different order, so please follow your own tradition.
Biggest garba nights in 2026
In Gujarat, the busiest nights are usually the opening night on 11 October and the weekend of 16 and 17 October, along with Sunday 18 October. Weeknights from 12 to 15 October tend to be quieter and more traditional. Check your venue's timings and entry rules in advance, because they can change.
How to plan nine looks without overspending
- Repeat smartly. Buy two or three statement pieces and change the dupatta, blouse or jewellery to match each day's colour.
- Rent or borrow. Rented chaniya cholis are popular and save money for nights you will wear only once.
- Break in your footwear. Nine nights of dancing is long, so comfort matters more than height.
- Set a budget early. Outfits, jewellery, makeup, passes and food add up quickly.
- Plan your ride home. Decide pick-up and drop points before you leave.
Plan all nine nights in one place
If you like writing things down, our printable Navratri 2026 Garba Planner and Outfit Guide has the 9-day colour calendar, outfit planner pages, a garba night packing checklist and a budget tracker. It is a digital PDF, so you can download it instantly and print it at home.
Frequently asked questions
When does Navratri 2026 start and end?
Sharad Navratri 2026 starts on 11 October and ends on 19 October. Dussehra is on 20 October.
What is the colour for the first day of Navratri 2026?
Orange, according to the commonly published sequence, because the first day falls on a Sunday.
Do I have to wear the colour of the day?
No. It is a popular tradition, not a rule. Wear what feels right for your family and community.
Shubh Navratri from all of us at KrishnaPriya.