Chaitra Navratri 2026: Dates, Complete Calendar & Ghatasthapana Muhurat

In the Hindu calendar Chaitra Navratri 2026 is considered one of the most sacred beginnings of the year, when the new Samvatsara is welcomed with the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga in an atmosphere of devotion, strength and balance. During this Navratri the auspicious observance of Rama Navami also falls, so the period becomes a beautiful meeting of Shakti and Dharma in daily life. Chaitra Navratri begins every year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra. On this Tithi Kalash Sthapana, also called Ghatasthapana, is performed and the nine day cycle of fasting and worship starts. Because of the nature of lunar Tithis, Navratri sometimes spans 8 days, sometimes 9 and occasionally 10 days, yet in 2026 Chaitra Navratri will continue for a complete period of 9 days and will end with Maha Navami and the Parana of Navratri.

Chaitra Navratri 2026 date and Tithi timings

According to the Drik Panchang, in the year 2026 Chaitra Shukla Pratipada begins on 19 March and from this point the sequence of Chaitra Navratri fasts is counted.

Summary of Chaitra Navratri 2026 dates

Detail	Information
Festival	Chaitra Navratri 2026
Starting date	Thursday, 19 March 2026
Ending date	Friday, 27 March 2026
Month and Paksha	Chaitra month, Shukla Paksha
Tithi span	From Pratipada to Navami
Start of Pratipada	19 March 2026, around 06:52 AM
End of Pratipada	20 March 2026, around 04:52 AM
Total duration	9 days of continuous Devi worship

Chaitra Navratri 2026 will begin on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The Pratipada Tithi will start at about 06:52 AM on 19 March and will continue until about 04:52 AM on 20 March. The first fast of Navratri will be undertaken on this Pratipada and Kalash Sthapana will be performed on the same day. Navratri will conclude on Friday, 27 March 2026, with Navami Tithi and the formal Parana of the festival.

Chaitra Navratri 2026 Ghatasthapana Muhurat and Rahu Kalam

In Chaitra Navratri Ghatasthapana is seen as the foundation for all nine days of practice. For this reason scriptures recommend performing it within an auspicious morning Muhurat. In 2026 two principal windows are available for Kalash Sthapana and householders may choose either according to their situation.

Auspicious Muhurats for Ghatasthapana in 2026

Detail	Time
First Ghatasthapana Muhurat	From 06:52 AM to 07:43 AM
Second Ghatasthapana Muhurat	From 12:05 PM to 12:53 PM

Those who are able to rise early and prepare for worship will find the first Muhurat especially favourable. If morning worship is not practically possible, Kalash Sthapana may also be carried out between 12:05 PM and 12:53 PM. Both periods fall within the auspicious influence of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and are well suited to family observance.

Rahu Kalam on the first day of Chaitra Navratri 2026

Detail	Time
Rahu Kalam	From 02:00 PM to 03:30 PM

On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, Rahu Kalam will occur from 2 PM to 3:30 PM. It is considered better to avoid Kalash Sthapana, new beginnings and major auspicious activities during this period. Devotees who perform Ghatasthapana in the morning or midday Muhurats naturally remain outside the influence of Rahu Kalam.

Auspicious yogas on Pratipada and their influence

Several auspicious yogas will be present on the opening day of Chaitra Navratri 2026, supporting spiritual effort. On this Pratipada Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, Shukla Yoga and Brahma Yoga will combine. Scriptural descriptions indicate that Shukla Yoga will remain in effect from morning until about 01:17 AM at night, after which Brahma Yoga will begin. Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga will influence the early hours of 20 March from about 04:05 AM to 06:25 AM. Kalash Sthapana is particularly recommended during the period of Shukla Yoga, as undertakings begun in this Yoga are believed to have a greater likelihood of success. Together these yogas suggest that the first day of Chaitra Navratri 2026 will be supportive at the levels of Tithi, yoga and subtle energy.

Complete Chaitra Navratri 2026 calendar and nine days of worship

During Chaitra Navratri the nine forms of the Goddess are worshipped in sequence. Each day’s Tithi, weekday and form carries its own devotional meaning. In 2026 the nine day pattern will be as follows.

Nine day calendar for Chaitra Navratri 2026

Navratri day	Date	Weekday	Tithi	Main worship
Day 1	19 March 2026	Thursday	Amavasya or Pratipada	Ghatasthapana and worship of Shailaputri
Day 2	20 March 2026	Friday	Dwitiya	Worship of Brahmacharini
Day 3	21 March 2026	Saturday	Tritiya	Worship of Chandraghanta
Day 4	22 March 2026	Sunday	Chaturthi	Worship of Kushmanda
Day 5	23 March 2026	Monday	Panchami	Worship of Skandamata
Day 6	24 March 2026	Tuesday	Shashthi	Worship of Katyayani
Day 7	25 March 2026	Wednesday	Saptami	Worship of Kalaratri, Maha Saptami
Day 8	26 March 2026	Thursday	Ashtami	Worship of Mahagauri, Durga Ashtami
Day 9	27 March 2026	Friday	Navami	Navratri Parana and closing of the festival

Within this progression, the seventh day with Maha Saptami, the eighth with Durga Ashtami and the ninth with Maha Navami and Parana are especially revered.

What is Chaitra Navratri and why is it especially valued

Chaitra Navratri is a period of focused practice that appears at the beginning of the year and can deeply shape the tone of the months that follow. The month of Chaitra itself suggests new leaves, fresh buds and the freshness of spring in the natural world. Chaitra Navratri invites the devotee to allow a similar renewal to take place in the inner world. Over nine days the worship of different forms of Goddess Durga gives the devotee a chance to awaken patience, strength, discernment, self control and surrender. The fasts, recitations and observances are not only for the fulfilment of desires. They also act as disciplines for the purification of the mind and the building of character. A further feature of Chaitra Navratri is that Maha Navami is closely associated with Rama Navami, bringing the presence of Shakti and the example of Shri Rama together as a reminder to balance power with righteousness.

Spiritual meaning of Ghatasthapana and points of care

Ghatasthapana can be regarded as the heart of Chaitra Navratri. The Kalash filled with water, topped with a coconut and surrounded by mango or Ashoka leaves is treated as a special seat of the Goddess. The daily Puja of all nine days centres on this Kalash, with the understanding that the Divine Mother is present there. During Ghatasthapana attention needs to be given to the purity of the place, the orientation of the Puja, the selection of an auspicious Muhurat and the calmness of mind. The person observing the fast is encouraged to bathe in the early morning, wear clean clothes and perform Kalash Sthapana in one of the recommended Muhurats while avoiding Rahu Kalam. Throughout the Puja the effort is to keep the mind as peaceful, prayerful and positive as possible, because this inner state is considered the core of Navratri sadhana.

Life guidance from Chaitra Navratri 2026

The dates, Muhurats, yogas and complete calendar of Chaitra Navratri 2026 together suggest that the year can be begun with strength, purity and balance. If a devotee uses these nine days to organise thoughts and habits, make a sincere attempt to let go of certain negative patterns and reserve daily time for japa, recitation or silent meditation, then Navratri becomes more than a festival. It becomes a spiritual foundation for the entire year. Chaitra Navratri 2026 may be especially fruitful for those who wish to invite the grace of the Goddess while also awakening inner steadiness, courage and peace.

Common questions

When will Chaitra Navratri 2026 begin and when will it end
Chaitra Navratri 2026 will begin on Thursday, 19 March 2026, with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and will end on Friday, 27 March 2026, with Navami and Navratri Parana. In this year the festival will span a full nine days.

Which Muhurats in 2026 are most suitable for Ghatasthapana
Two main Muhurats are indicated for Ghatasthapana. The first is from 06:52 AM to 07:43 AM and the second from 12:05 PM to 12:53 PM. Kalash Sthapana may be performed in either of these periods.

What is the Rahu Kalam on the first day of Chaitra Navratri and why should it be avoided
On the first day Rahu Kalam will fall between 02:00 PM and 03:30 PM. It is traditionally considered advisable to avoid Kalash Sthapana and major auspicious undertakings during this time because Rahu Kalam is viewed as unfavourable.

Which forms of the Goddess will be worshipped during Chaitra Navratri 2026
On the first day Shailaputri will be worshipped, followed by Brahmacharini on the second, Chandraghanta on the third, Kushmanda on the fourth, Skandamata on the fifth, Katyayani on the sixth, Kalaratri on the seventh and Mahagauri on the eighth. On the ninth day Navratri will conclude with Navami and Parana.

How can Chaitra Navratri 2026 be made more meaningful in one’s life
Chaitra Navratri 2026 can become more meaningful if the devotee keeps a clear and positive intention at the time of Ghatasthapana, maintains some form of fast or regular recitation through the nine days, consciously withdraws from negative thinking and introduces helpful changes in routine up to Rama Navami. In this way the festival can support spiritual growth, mental calm and a more balanced way of living.