Read time: 6 minutes
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins Sunday, October 11, which means we're now 11 days out. If you've been meaning to sort outfits, gifts or a fresh mala for the nine nights, this is the point where it genuinely helps to stop planning and start finalising.
Quick answer: Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, October 11 to Monday, October 19, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on October 20. With 11 days left, the practical priority now is finalising anything that needs delivery time, especially gifts going to another city, and settling your day-by-day colour outfits so you're not scrambling the night before each one.
Table of Contents
- Key Dates, One More Time
- What's Different at 11 Days Out
- Thinking About Delivery Timing
- The Nine-Colour Calendar, Quick Recap
- Kanya Pujan: Worth Sorting Early
- Garba and Dandiya Night Pieces
- FAQ
Key Dates, One More Time
Ghatasthapana is Sunday, October 11. Durga Ashtami falls on Sunday, October 18, Maha Navami on Monday, October 19, and Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, October 20. That's the full nine nights, back to back, which is exactly why the planning window matters more than it might for a single-day festival.
What's Different at 11 Days Out
Three weeks out, as we covered in our earlier Navratri planning guide, the priority was simply starting to think about it. At 11 days out, the priority shifts to actually finalising choices, since anything that still needs to be ordered, delivered or altered has a genuinely tighter window now than it did a couple of weeks ago.
Thinking About Delivery Timing
If you're sending a gift to family in another city, or ordering something for yourself that needs to arrive before October 11, this is the sensible point to place that order rather than wait further. Standard shipping timelines mean an order placed in the next few days comfortably arrives before the festival begins; waiting into the final week narrows that margin considerably.
The Nine-Colour Calendar, Quick Recap
Since 2026's Navratri opens on a Sunday, the sequence runs orange, white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green across the nine nights, as covered in full, day by day, in our Navratri dates and colours guide. Worth a quick check now if you haven't already matched pieces to each day.
Kanya Pujan: Worth Sorting Early
If your household observes Kanya Pujan, typically on Ashtami or Navami, this is a good time to sort any small gifts for the young girls being honoured, rather than leaving it to the morning of. A simple, comfortable piece is a common choice alongside the more customary food and money offerings.
Garba and Dandiya Night Pieces
If you're planning to attend garba or dandiya over the nine nights, bolder, more visible jewellery tends to suit the energy of the dancing better than the quieter pieces favoured for daytime puja. Worth deciding now whether you want one statement piece to wear across multiple nights or a few different looks, since that decision affects what you still need to source.
FAQ
How many days until Navratri 2026?
As of this post, 11 days. Navratri begins Sunday, October 11, and runs through Monday, October 19.
Is it too late to order gifts for Navratri?
Not yet, but the window is tightening. Ordering within the next few days comfortably allows for standard delivery before October 11; waiting into the final week leaves less margin.
What are the Navratri 2026 colours in order?
Starting with orange on day one (since Navratri begins on a Sunday), the sequence runs white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green.
When is Kanya Pujan in 2026?
Typically observed on Ashtami (October 18) or Navami (October 19), depending on family tradition.
What should I wear to garba or dandiya nights?
Bolder, more visible jewellery generally suits the energy of dancing better than the understated pieces favoured for daytime puja.
When does Navratri end in 2026?
The nine nights conclude Monday, October 19, followed by Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, October 20.
The Takeaway
Eleven days out is the moment to move from planning to finalising, especially anything that needs to travel or be delivered. Sort what you can this week, and the nine nights themselves stay about the festival, not the scramble.
Explore Rudriva's Malas and Energy Stones & Gemstone Bracelets collections for the nine nights ahead.
