People searching for the Navratri 2026 start date often get conflicting answers about whether the festival begins on October 10 or October 11. The official Hindu calendar Drik Panchang specifies that Shardiya Navratri starts on Sunday, October 11th 2026.
This confusion about whether Navratri starts on October 10 or 11 in 2026 happens because of how the traditional Indian calendar measures time compared to a standard clock.
The first lunar day in Hindi calender is referred to as Pratipada Tithi which commences at 9:19 PM on Saturday October 10 and comes to an end at 9:30 PM on Sunday October 11.
But, according to global calendar conventions, a day of celebration begins with the day that exists when the sun rises which is referred to as Udaya Tithi. Consequently, as the sun rises on October 11, it marks the Day 1 of Navratri in 2026.
Why is Navratri Starting on October 11 Instead of October 10?
The beginning of any new festival day in India does not take place at midnight but rather at sunrise.
As Pratipada Tithi falls later at night on Saturday, October 10, it is called Sarva Pitru Amavasya which is also the last day of Pitru Paksha. Hence, celebrations for Navratri festival will automatically start on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
What are Navratri Dates and Colours in October 2026?
Here are the day by day dates and traditional colours for the nine days of Navratri, ending with Dussehra for a reference:
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Date
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Day and Festival Phase of Navratri 2026
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Traditional Colour
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October 11
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Day 1: Pratipada Tithi
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Orange
|
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October 12
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Day 2: Dwitiya Tithi
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White
|
|
October 13
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Day 3: Tritiya Tithi
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Red
|
|
October 14
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Day 4: Chaturthi Tithi
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Royal Blue
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|
October 15
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Day 5: Panchami Tithi
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Yellow
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|
October 16
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Day 6: Shashthi Tithi
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Green
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October 17
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Day 7: Saptami Tithi
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Grey
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October 18
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Day 8: Saptami ends and Ashtami starts in morning
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Purple
|
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October 19
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Day 9: Durga Ashtami & Maha Navami
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Peacock Green
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|
October 20
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Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
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When is Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Dussehra 2026?
Another interesting change in the 2026 calendar is when Ashtami and Maha Navami coincide. In the 2026 calendar, the Saptami tithi will conclude at 12:00 PM, and Ashtami tithi will commence at 8:27 AM on October 18.
Consequently, Monday, October 19, 2026, is celebrated as both Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami. The festival concludes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra).
Knowledge of how the timing of sunrise influences dates is one way to simplify the Hindu calendar. The application of the Udaya Tithi makes it possible for everyone to note that Sunday, October 11, marks the first day of Navratri 2026.