Chaitra Navratri 2026: Dates, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, 9 Colors, Puja Vidhi & Significance
Chaitra Navratri 2026 dates, Ghatasthapana muhurat, 9 colors, puja vidhi, mantras & Ram Navami details. Book Pandit online with Panditji On Way. Chaitra Navratri 2026 will be celebrated from March 19 to March 27, marking the Hindu New Year and honoring Goddess Durga’s nine forms, ending with Ram Navami. Chaitra Navratri is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms (Navadurga). Celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March–April), this Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat 2083) and culminates with Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Rama.
During these nine auspicious days, devotees perform Ghatasthapana, Durga Saptashati Path, Chandi Homa, Navratri Vrat, and Kanya Pujan to seek health, prosperity, protection, and spiritual upliftment. Chaitra Navratri in 2026 will be celebrated from Thursday, March 19th, to Friday, March 27th, 2026, marking the beginning of the Hindu New Year and honoring Goddess Durga’s nine forms, culminating in Ram Navami on the final day (March 27th). Key Dates: Start Date: March 19, 2026 (Thursday) End Date (Ram Navami): March 27, 2026 (Friday)
Table of Contents
- What is Chaitra Navratri?
- When is Chaitra Navratri 2026?
- Chaitra Navratri 2026 Calendar & 9 Colors (Table)
- Ghatasthapana Muhurat 2026
- 9 Forms of Goddess Durga: Significance & Mantras
- How to Perform Chaitra Navratri Puja at Home (Step-by-Step)
- Kanya Pujan: Ashtami & Navami Rituals
- Chaitra Navratri Do’s and Don’ts
- Why Book a Pandit from Panditji On Way?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Planning Chaitra Navratri Puja at Home?
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- Ghatasthapana Puja
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- Ram Navami Puja
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When is Chaitra Navratri 2026?
Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins on Thursday, 19 March 2026 and ends on Friday, 27 March 2026 (Ram Navami).
Chaitra Navratri 2026 Calendar & 9 Colors
| Day | Date (2026) | Tithi | Goddess | Navratri Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | March 19 (Thu) | Pratipada | Maa Shailputri | Yellow |
| Day 2 | March 20 (Fri) | Dwitiya | Maa Brahmacharini | Green |
| Day 3 | March 21 (Sat) | Tritiya | Maa Chandraghanta | Grey |
| Day 4 | March 22 (Sun) | Chaturthi | Maa Kushmanda | Orange |
| Day 5 | March 23 (Mon) | Panchami | Maa Skandamata | White |
| Day 6 | March 24 (Tue) | Shashti | Maa Katyayani | Red |
| Day 7 | March 25 (Wed) | Saptami | Maa Kalaratri | Royal Blue |
| Day 8 | March 26 (Thu) | Ashtami | Maa Mahagauri | Pink |
| Day 9 | March 27 (Fri) | Navami (Ram Navami) | Maa Siddhidatri | Purple |
Ghatasthapana Muhurat 2026 (Kalash Sthapana)
Ghatasthapana is the most important ritual of Navratri, invoking Goddess Durga into the home.
Date: Thursday, 19 March 2026
Shubh Muhurat (Morning):
06:10 AM – 08:35 AM
Abhijit Muhurat:
12:05 PM – 12:53 PM
SEO Locations Covered:
Ghatasthapana Muhurat in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Noida, Gurugram, USA, Canada, UK, Australia
Note: Exact timings may vary based on location. Book a local Pandit for precise muhurat.
The 9 Forms of Goddess Durga: Significance & Mantras
- Maa Shailputri – Stability & Strength
Mantra: Om Shaam Sheem Shoom Shailputrayi Namah - Maa Brahmacharini – Tapasya & Emotional Balance
Mantra: Om Braam Breem Broom Brahmachariniyai Namah - Maa Chandraghanta – Protection & Courage
Mantra: Om Hreem Kleem Sheem Chandraghantayai Namah - Maa Kushmanda – Health & Wealth
Mantra: Om Hreem Kushmandayi Jagatprasootyai Namah - Maa Skandamata – Wisdom & Moksha
Mantra: Om Hreem Saha Skandmatrayi Namah - Maa Katyayani – Marriage & Obstacles Removal
Mantra: Om Hreem Sheem Katyayanayi Namah - Maa Kalaratri – Dosha & Fear Removal
Mantra: Om Aim Hreem Shreem Kaalratriyai Namah - Maa Mahagauri – Peace & Purity
Mantra: Om Hreem Shreem Glaum Gam Gauri Geem Namah - Maa Siddhidatri – Siddhis & Spiritual Power
Mantra: Om Hreem Saha Siddhidatrayi Namah
How to Perform Chaitra Navratri Puja at Home
Step 1: Kalash Sthapana
- Use a clay pot with barley seeds
- Place a copper/silver Kalash with water, coin & supari
- Cover with mango leaves & coconut wrapped in red cloth
Step 2: Daily Navratri Puja
- Light Akhand Jyot for 9 days
- Offer flowers, fruits, bhog
- Chant Durga Mantras or Durga Saptashati
Step 3: Kanya Pujan
- Perform on Ashtami or Navami
- Worship 9 girls
- Offer Halwa, Poori & Chana
Chaitra Navratri Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Follow sattvic diet
- Maintain cleanliness
- Chant mantras daily
Don’t
- Consume alcohol or non-veg
- Cut hair or nails
- Leave Akhand Jyot unattended
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External Reference:
For scriptural significance of Navratri, refer to Durga Saptashati – Sanskrit Text at
https://vedpuran.net (Hindu Scripture Portal)
Frequently Asked Questions – Chaitra Navratri 2026
1. When is Chaitra Navratri in 2026?
Chaitra Navratri in 2026 will be celebrated from Thursday, March 19, to Friday, March 27, 2026. The nine-day festival begins with Pratipada Tithi and concludes with Ram Navami, marking the birth of Lord Rama.
2. What are the exact dates of Chaitra Navratri 2026?
The exact dates of Chaitra Navratri 2026 are March 19 to March 27. The festival starts on Thursday, March 19, 2026, and ends on Friday, March 27, 2026, which is observed as Ram Navami.
3. Why is Chaitra Navratri important in Hinduism?
Chaitra Navratri marks the Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat 2083) and honors Goddess Durga’s nine divine forms (Navadurga). It symbolizes spiritual renewal, victory of good over evil, and divine feminine energy.
4. Which Goddess is worshipped during Chaitra Navratri?
During Chaitra Navratri, devotees worship Goddess Durga in her nine forms, including Maa Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
5. What is the significance of Ram Navami during Chaitra Navratri?
Ram Navami, observed on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It signifies dharma, righteousness, and the conclusion of Navratri worship.
6. Is Ghatasthapana compulsory for Chaitra Navratri?
Yes, Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) is an essential ritual performed on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. It symbolically invokes Goddess Durga’s presence and should be done during an auspicious morning muhurat.
7. Can Chaitra Navratri fasting be done at home?
Yes, Chaitra Navratri fasting can be observed at home by following a sattvic diet, avoiding onion, garlic, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food, while performing daily prayers and mantra chanting.
8. What is the difference between Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri?
Chaitra Navratri occurs in March–April and marks the Hindu New Year, ending with Ram Navami, while Sharad Navratri occurs in September–October and ends with Dussehra (Vijayadashami).
9. How many days is Chaitra Navratri celebrated?
Chaitra Navratri is celebrated for nine consecutive days, dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, starting from Pratipada Tithi and ending on Navami Tithi.
10. Can working professionals perform Chaitra Navratri Puja daily?
Yes, working professionals can perform a simple Navratri Puja by lighting a diya, offering flowers, chanting Durga mantras, and observing partial fasting according to their schedule.
11. Is Chaitra Navratri observed all over India?
Yes, Chaitra Navratri is observed across India, Nepal, and by Hindu communities worldwide, especially in North India, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and South India.
12. What is the best way to get accurate Chaitra Navratri Puja timings?
The best way to get accurate Ghatasthapana and Puja Muhurat timings is by consulting a qualified Vedic Pandit, as timings vary based on geographic location and sunrise calculations.
1. Is Chaitra Navratri the Hindu New Year?
Yes. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat 2083) in many regions of India, especially North and Central India.
2. On which day should Ghatasthapana be performed in 2026?
Ghatasthapana should be performed on Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the morning muhurat after sunrise, which is considered the most auspicious time.
3. What happens if Ghatasthapana is done at the wrong time?
Performing Ghatasthapana outside the prescribed muhurat may reduce the spiritual benefits of Navratri. Scriptures recommend avoiding night-time or inauspicious tithis.
4. Can Chaitra Navratri Puja be done without fasting?
Yes. Fasting is optional. Devotees may perform Navratri Puja without fasting by maintaining a sattvic lifestyle, purity, and regular prayer.
5. Which food is allowed during Chaitra Navratri fasting?
Allowed foods include fruits, milk, curd, sabudana, singhara flour, kuttu flour, makhana, potatoes, peanuts, and rock salt (sendha namak).
6. Can married women perform Kanya Pujan?
Yes. Married women can perform Kanya Pujan during Ashtami or Navami. The ritual is open to all devotees regardless of marital status.
7. What is the spiritual benefit of observing all nine days of Navratri?
Observing all nine days helps purify the mind, body, and karma, enhances discipline, removes negative energies, and invites Goddess Durga’s complete blessings.
8. Is Chandi Path mandatory during Chaitra Navratri?
No. Chandi Path is optional but highly beneficial. Even simple Durga mantra chanting or lighting a diya daily brings spiritual merit.
9. Can Navratri Puja be performed in flats or apartments?
Yes. Navratri Puja can be performed in flats and apartments. Only a clean, peaceful corner with proper setup is required.
10. Is Akhand Jyot compulsory during Chaitra Navratri?
Akhand Jyot is not compulsory but recommended. If lighting one, ensure it remains continuously lit throughout the Navratri period.
11. What is the best mantra to chant daily during Chaitra Navratri in 2026?
A universally accepted mantra is:
“Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche”
It invokes all forms of Goddess Durga.
12. Can Chaitra Navratri Puja be done online or remotely?
Yes. Many devotees opt for online or proxy puja, where a Vedic Pandit performs rituals on their behalf while they join via video call.
13. Is Chaitra Navratri celebrated differently from Sharad Navratri?
Yes. Chaitra Navratri emphasizes spiritual renewal and new beginnings, while Sharad Navratri focuses on victory over evil, ending with Dussehra.
14. Can children and elderly people observe Navratri fasts?
Yes, but fasting should be done as per health conditions. Partial fasting or only avoiding certain foods is acceptable.
15. Which regions celebrate Chaitra Navratri more prominently?
Chaitra Navratri is widely observed in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and parts of South India.
16. Is Chaitra Navratri 2026 auspicious for starting new work?
Yes. It is considered highly auspicious for new ventures, housewarming, naming ceremonies, and spiritual practices.
17. Can Navratri Puja remove planetary doshas?
Yes. Worship of Maa Kalaratri and Maa Katyayani during Navratri is believed to reduce Shani, Rahu, and Ketu doshas.
18. What should be donated during Chaitra Navratri?
Donations of food grains, clothes, sweets, coconut, and dakshina on Ashtami or Navami are considered very auspicious.
19. Is it mandatory to worship all nine forms daily?
No. Devotees may worship one form daily or focus on one chosen form throughout Navratri with full devotion.
20. Why is Chaitra Navratri ideal for spiritual sadhana?
The Chaitra month is believed to have high spiritual energy, making it ideal for mantra chanting, meditation, and self-purification.
Conclusion
Chaitra Navratri 2026 is a powerful spiritual period to invoke Goddess Durga’s blessings for health, prosperity, and protection. Performing rituals like Ghatasthapana, Durga Saptashati Path, and Ram Navami Puja with correct Vedic procedures enhances positive energy at home.
For a hassle-free, authentic, and spiritually rewarding Navratri Puja, trust Panditji On Way—India’s most reliable puja booking platform.
