MAYIN Guides

Navratri Colours 2027: A Saree for Each of the Nine Days

By Nishita Nathani19 min read

Rouge Waves pink and purple leheriya print pure chiffon saree by MAYIN

The Navratri colours for 2027 are yellow, green, grey, orange, white, red, royal blue, pink and purple, one for each day from Thursday 30 September to Friday 8 October; the first seven follow a fixed weekday rule, and pink and purple come from the one list published so far, so check your local list nearer the time. Start with yellow for Ghatasthapana, wear pink on Durga Ashtami and purple on Maha Navami, and Dussehra follows on Saturday 9 October. This guide gives you the 2027 dates, a saree for every colour, why the list changes each year, which shades count, garba draping, office colour days, a five saree plan and regional customs. If you just want to shop, see our Navratri sarees.

At a glance
YellowDay 1, Thu 30 Sep
GreenDay 2, Fri 1 Oct
GreyDay 3, Sat 2 Oct
OrangeDay 4, Sun 3 Oct
WhiteDay 5, Mon 4 Oct
RedDay 6, Tue 5 Oct
Royal blueDay 7, Wed 6 Oct
PinkDay 8, Thu 7 Oct
PurpleDay 9, Fri 8 Oct
The Navratri 2027 colours. Days 1 to 7 follow the weekday rule; days 8 and 9 come from the one list published so far, so check again in September 2027.
In this guide

Navratri 2027 Dates

Sharad Navratri, the autumn Navratri, begins with Ghatasthapana on Thursday 30 September 2027. Its ninth day, Maha Navami, falls on Friday 8 October, and Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, is on Saturday 9 October in most calendars. These dates are for New Delhi; regional calendars can differ by a day, so check your local panchang.

Sharad Navratri 2027
Thu 30 SepGhatasthapanaDay 1; the kalash is set up in the morning
Thu 7 OctDurga AshtamiDay 8; kanya pujan in many homes
Fri 8 OctMaha NavamiDay 9; the last day of the colour list
Sat 9 OctDussehraVijayadashami in most calendars
Sun 10 OctBijoya DashamiIn Bengali calendars; Sindoor Khela

The 2027 calendar has two quirks you will see in panchangs. The first lunar day, Pratipada, begins after sunrise on 30 September and ends before sunrise on 1 October, so it never touches a sunrise; panchangs call this a kshaya tithi. Ghatasthapana is still performed on Thursday 30 September. Ashtami, the eighth lunar day, then spans two sunrises, on 7 and 8 October. The two balance out, so the nine days still run from 30 September to 8 October.

Good to know
The Ghatasthapana muhurat differs between panchangs in 2027, and the window starts at different times in different sources. Most place it in the morning of 30 September; ask your family priest or check your local panchang for the exact time in your city.

There is a second Navratri in spring. Chaitra Navratri 2027 begins on Wednesday 7 April and ends with Ram Navami on Thursday 15 April in most calendars. Some calendars publish a colour list for it too, but the colour-of-the-day custom belongs mainly to the autumn festival. For the spring new-year festivals around the same time, see our Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Vishu and Bihu saree guide.

Navratri Colours 2027, Day by Day

Each day of Navratri honours one of the nine forms of Durga, the Navadurga, and each day has a colour. The table joins the date, goddess and colour with the kind of saree that suits the day; specific sarees follow below.

Navratri 2027: date, goddess, colour
DayGoddessColour and what to wear
Day 1, Thu 30 SepShailaputri; GhatasthapanaYellow. Mul cotton for the morning puja, chiffon for garba
Day 2, Fri 1 OctBrahmachariniGreen. Zari stripes for the aarti, a floral chiffon for dancing
Day 3, Sat 2 OctChandraghantaGrey. Charcoal by day, silver for a Saturday night
Day 4, Sun 3 OctKushmandaOrange. Floral chiffon for the weekend garba
Day 5, Mon 4 OctSkandamataWhite. A white saree with a coloured border
Day 6, Tue 5 OctKatyayaniRed. Mul modal for work, zari stripes for the evening
Day 7, Wed 6 OctKalaratriRoyal blue. Plain cobalt mul cotton or royal blue chiffon
Day 8, Thu 7 OctMahagauri; Durga AshtamiPink. Your best saree of the week for the Ashtami puja
Day 9, Fri 8 OctSiddhidatri; Maha NavamiPurple. Purple mul cotton, lavender chiffon or zari stripes

Azura royal blue floral print pure chiffon saree by MAYIN

A saree for each day
Day 1: Yellow
Yellow, mustard
Lemonade is plain yellow mul cotton, light enough for a long Ghatasthapana morning. For garba, Liora, a yellow floral print pure chiffon, swings as you turn. Golden Hour, mustard handloom linen with a zari border, suits the office. Blouse: pink, green or white.
Day 2: Green
Green, emerald
Saaz has green stripes with zari, festive enough for an evening aarti. Orelia is a green floral print pure chiffon for dancing, and Pink Guava, green mul cotton with a pink border, is the easy daytime choice. Blouse: pink, yellow or gold.
Day 3: Grey
Grey, charcoal, silver
Grey is the hardest festive colour to find. Spot On, charcoal polka dot mul cotton, covers a working Saturday. For a party night, Silver, a plain handloom linen tissue, reads as silver grey under lights. Blouse: rani pink, yellow or black.
Day 4: Orange
Orange, gold
Elara, an orange floral print pure chiffon, is made for a Sunday garba. If orange does not suit you, wear a white or ivory saree with an orange blouse; many groups count it. Blouse for Elara: bottle green, gold or pink.
Day 5: White
White, ivory
Bright Side, white mul cotton with a yellow border, and Kamakshi, white with a red border and gold zari, are both easy for a puja. The Go to, ivory handloom linen with a zari border, is crisp for a Monday at work. Blouse: red, yellow or gold.
Day 6: Red
Red, maroon
True Garnet, plain red mul modal with a 1 m running blouse piece, works at a desk and at an aarti. Manjari has red stripes with zari for the evening. Devi, white mul cotton with gold and red detailing, covers red in the Bengal way. Blouse: gold, green or white.
Day 7: Royal blue
Royal blue, cobalt
Azura is a true royal blue floral print pure chiffon, with a 1 m crepe blouse piece. Cobalt Crumble, plain blue mul cotton, is the quieter office version. Blouse: orange, yellow, pink or silver.
Day 8: Pink
Pink, rani pink
Mauve Melody, plain pink mul modal, is comfortable through a long Ashtami puja and kanya pujan. Rouge Waves, a pink and purple leheriya print pure chiffon, covers days 8 and 9 for garba. Blouse: green, gold or purple.
Day 9: Purple
Purple, lavender
Blueberry Pie, plain royal purple mul cotton, suits the Navami puja. Amaris, a lavender purple floral print pure chiffon, is for the last garba night. Abhira, handloom mul cotton with multicolour stripes in pink and purple and zari, is festive for the morning. Blouse: gold, pink or silver.

Dussehra has no colour on the list. Red, orange and yellow are popular choices, and many families wear something new. Browse every colour in one place in our Navratri saree edit.

Why the Colours Change Every Year

Each weekday has a fixed colour, and the first colour of Navratri is the colour of the weekday on which the festival begins. The next six days follow the weekdays in order. That is why the list moves every year: in 2026 Navratri begins on a Sunday and opens with orange; in 2027 it begins on a Thursday, so it opens with yellow.

The weekday rule
The weekday colours
Mon: white
Tue: red
Wed: royal blue
Thu: yellow
Fri: green
Sat: grey
Sun: orange

Days 8 and 9 do not follow the rule. Day 8 in 2027 is a Thursday again, but it is not yellow. The colours for the last two days are drawn from pink, purple and peacock green, and they change from year to year. Different newspapers, apps and calendars sometimes choose differently for these two days, which is the main reason lists disagree.

The last two days in recent lists
YearStarts onDays 8 and 9
2025Monday 22 SepPeacock green, then pink
2026Sunday 11 OctPurple, then peacock green
2027Thursday 30 SepPink, then purple

The custom is recent and was popularised in Mumbai by Marathi newspapers, notably a Maharashtra Times reader campaign in which women dressed in the colour of the day and sent in group photographs. From there it spread to offices, local trains and housing societies, and well beyond Maharashtra. The colours are not prescribed in scripture, and there is no official government list. You will also see each colour tied to a meaning or to the goddess of the day; those explanations vary from site to site, so treat them as stories rather than rules.

Good to know
For 2027, days 1 to 7 follow the weekday rule and can be relied on. Pink and purple for days 8 and 9 come from the one list published so far. Marathi newspapers usually publish their lists in September, so check again then; if your office, society or family follows a particular list, follow that one.

Which Shades Count

Most groups are relaxed about shade: the point is a photograph in which everyone is clearly in the same colour family. People get particular only with neighbouring colours, such as royal blue and navy, or green and peacock green.

The nine colours, with blouse colours to try
Yellow
TrySkip
Pink, green, white. Skip grey. Lemon, mustard and turmeric all count.
Green
TrySkip
Pink, gold, yellow. Skip grey. Bottle green, emerald, mint and olive count; peacock green is its own colour in many lists.
Grey
TrySkip
Rani pink, yellow, black. Skip beige. Charcoal and silver usually count.
Orange
TrySkip
Bottle green, gold, pink. Skip red. Saffron, tangerine and rust count; pale peach is a stretch.
White
TrySkip
Red, yellow, gold. Skip beige. Ivory and off white count, and a coloured border is fine.
Red
TrySkip
Gold, green, white. Skip orange. Maroon and wine usually count.
Royal blue
TrySkip
Orange, yellow, silver. Skip black. Cobalt counts; navy can look black in a group photo.
Pink
TrySkip
Green, gold, purple. Skip red. Everything from baby pink to rani pink counts.
Purple
TrySkip
Gold, pink, silver. Skip navy. Violet, lavender and plum usually count.

Black is not on the list, and many families avoid it during Navratri pujas by custom, though there is no rule against it. If peacock green replaces one of the last two colours in the list you follow, teal and deep turquoise are the closest shades; blouse colours for green sarees covers the pairings.

A Saree for Garba and Dandiya

Garba is danced in a circle around a lamp or an image of the goddess, with claps and turns; dandiya raas is danced in pairs with decorated sticks. In December 2023, UNESCO added the Garba of Gujarat to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Most dancers wear chaniya choli, but a saree works well if you choose the fabric and drape for movement. Early October is often still humid in Mumbai and Gujarat, and an outdoor ground gets hot once the circle fills, so breathability matters as much as swing.

Garba fabrics
Pure chiffonSwings as you turnCool on a humid night
Mul modalSwings as you turnWash at homeCool on a humid night
Mul cottonCool on a humid nightWash at homeSwings as you turn
Mul cotton with zari stripesCool on a humid nightSwings as you turn
Best fitAlso works Filled means best fit. Chiffon and zari: dry clean only.

Pure chiffon such as Rouge Waves, Azura and Elara is the most fun to turn in, because the hem flares and falls back. Mul modal drapes almost as fluidly and is breathable. Mul cotton is the coolest choice for a crowded outdoor ground, with a little less swing.

Drape it to dance
1
Set the hem with your dance footwear onTie the petticoat drawstring firmly, then drape wearing the footwear you will dance in, so the hem sits just above the ankle bone. A hem that touches the floor gets stepped on in a fast circle.
2
Make five to seven pleats and pin them twiceTuck the pleats in at the navel, facing left, then pin them once at the top and once halfway down so they stay together as you turn.
3
Choose a pallu that stays putThe Gujarati seedha pallu, brought forward over the right shoulder and spread across the front, keeps your arms free. If you wear the pallu at the back, pin it at the shoulder and tuck the end into the waist at the side.
4
Secure every loose endA free pallu can catch a dandiya stick or swing towards the lamp at the centre of the circle. Keep chiffon well away from diyas; no saree is safe near a flame.
5
Test it before you leaveWalk, turn twice and raise both arms in front of a mirror. Anything that shifts now will come loose in the second hour.

For more freedom, a dhoti drape or a lehenga-style drape, with the pleats taken all round so the saree falls like a flared skirt, are popular at garba; see saree draping styles and how to drape a chiffon saree. Under chiffon, match the petticoat to the saree where you can; if you have no match on a light saree, nude usually shows less than white. Our saree petticoat guide explains drawstrings and flared cuts.

Your garba bag
Eight to ten spare safety pins, for you and for friends.
Flat juttis or kolhapuris with some grip, or bare feet where the venue allows. Skip heels and brand new shoes.
Jewellery that stays on: studs or light jhumkas and bangles that fit. Long tassels catch.
A hair tie or clip, a handkerchief and water.

Colour Days at the Office

In Mumbai and Pune especially, many offices, banks and schools follow the list, and the day ends with a group photo. The office version of each colour is a quieter shade in mul cotton, mul modal or handloom linen, with little or no zari; for more ideas, see building a work wardrobe in sarees.

Each colour, office version
ColourOffice versionTry
YellowMustard, or plain lemonGolden Hour, Lemonade
GreenGreen with a contrast borderPink Guava
GreyCharcoal with a small printSpot On
OrangeIvory saree, orange blouseThe Go to
WhiteIvory with a fine borderThe Go to, Bright Side
RedDeep red, plainTrue Garnet
Royal bluePlain cobaltCobalt Crumble
PinkMauve or dusty pinkMauve Melody
PurpleRoyal purple, plainBlueberry Pie

A two-colour saree serves two days: Bright Side is white and yellow, Devi white and red, Pink Guava green and pink.

Nine Colours With Five Sarees

You do not need nine new sarees. In many groups, a white saree with a blouse in the day's colour counts, and a saree with two colours covers two days. Here is one way to cover the 2027 list with five sarees and blouses in the day's colours. Mul cotton sarees come without a blouse piece, so plan the blouses first.

Five sarees, nine days
SareeDaysBlouse
Bright Side, white with a yellow borderDay 1 yellow, Day 5 whiteYellow, then red or white
Pink Guava, green with a pink borderDay 2 greenGold or yellow
Spot On, charcoal polka dotsDay 3 greyRani pink or yellow
Bright Side againDay 4 orange, Day 7 royal blueOrange, then royal blue
Devi, white with red and goldDay 6 redRed
Abhira, pink and purple stripes with zariDay 8 pink, Day 9 purplePink, then purple
Other ways to wear the colour
The blouseThe quickest way to wear the colour. A plain blouse in the day's colour turns a neutral saree into that day's look.
A dupatta or stoleDraped over a white or ivory saree, a stole in the colour carries it through the day.
Bangles and bindiGlass bangles and a bindi in the colour are enough for some groups, especially at work.
Borders and printsA border, a stripe or a print in the colour usually counts. Our multicolour sarees cover several days each.
Repeat and restyleWearing a saree twice in nine days is fine. Change the blouse, jewellery and drape, and the photos look different.
Pick your one dayIf you will only buy one saree, make it for day 1 or for Ashtami, the days with the most pujas and photographs.

Navratri Across India

The nine colours are a western Indian custom that has travelled. Elsewhere, Navratri is dressed for differently.

One festival, many ways to dress
WhereWhat happensWhat to wear
GujaratGarba every night, and dandiya raas in many venues.Chaniya choli for most; a saree with a seedha pallu and a drape you can dance in.
MaharashtraGhatasthapana at home; the colour of the day is strongest in Mumbai and Pune offices and on local trains.The day's colour, often in light cotton for the commute.
BengalDurga Puja runs alongside the last days of Navratri, from Shashthi to Bijoya Dashami. Day colours are not part of the tradition.Red and white laal paar, and new clothes for each day of Pujo.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AndhraGolu, Bombe Habba or Bommala Koluvu: dolls on odd-numbered steps, evening visits and small gifts.Cotton with a zari border for visiting; your best saree for the Saraswati and Ayudha pujas.
KeralaBooks and instruments are placed for puja, and many children begin learning on Vijayadashami.White or ivory with gold; see our Onam saree guide for Kerala looks.
North IndiaFasting, kanya pujan on Ashtami or Navami, Ramlila nights and Ravan Dahan on Dussehra.Red, yellow and orange, in something you can stand in for an evening.

In Bengal, Bijoya Dashami falls on Sunday 10 October 2027, a day after Dussehra in most other calendars. The day of each Pujo can differ by a day from the Navratri list, so check your panjika or your pandal's schedule. Our Durga Puja saree guide covers laal paar, Pushpanjali and Sindoor Khela.

Ashtami, Navami, Golu and Dussehra

The last days are the dressiest. On Ashtami (Thursday 7 October) and Navami (Friday 8 October), many families perform kanya pujan, feeding and honouring young girls, and some hold a havan. You will sit on the floor, stand near a fire and move between the kitchen and the puja room, so choose a saree you are comfortable sitting in, pin the pallu and keep chiffon away from the havan. Cotton with zari, such as Saaz, Manjari and Abhira, looks festive and lets you work. For more on dressing for a puja, see our pooja saree guide.

Four looks for the last days
Ashtami puja at home
SareeMauve Melody, plain pink mul modal
BlouseGold
JewelleryGold studs, glass bangles
FinishRed bindi
Navami and kanya pujan
SareeAbhira, pink and purple zari stripes
BlousePink
JewelleryGold jhumkas
FinishWhite jasmine in a bun
A Golu evening visit
SareeKamakshi, white with a red border and gold zari
BlouseRed
JewelleryGold temple earrings
FinishWhite jasmine in a braid
Dussehra and Ravan Dahan
SareeManjari, red zari stripes
BlouseGold
FootwearFlat tan sandals for the crowd
FinishOrange marigold in the hair

On Dussehra, Ravan Dahan is an outdoor event at dusk with large crowds, so wear flat footwear and a drape you can walk in. The festive season continues with Karwa Chauth and Diwali; see our Karwa Chauth saree guide and Diwali saree guide.

Navratri Sarees in This Guide

Shop Navratri sarees
Lemonade Plain yellow mul cotton saree by MAYINLemonadePlain yellow mul cottonPair with Pink, green, whiteLiora Yellow floral print pure chiffon saree by MAYINLioraYellow floral print pure chiffonPair with Pink, gold, greenSaaz Green striped mul cotton with zari saree by MAYINSaazGreen striped mul cotton with zariPair with Pink, gold, yellowOrelia Green floral print pure chiffon saree by MAYINOreliaGreen floral print pure chiffonPair with Pink, gold, whiteSpot On Charcoal polka dot mul cotton saree by MAYINSpot OnCharcoal polka dot mul cottonPair with Rani pink, yellow, blackElara Orange floral print pure chiffon saree by MAYINElaraOrange floral print pure chiffonPair with Bottle green, gold, pinkBright Side White mul cotton, yellow border saree by MAYINBright SideWhite mul cotton, yellow borderPair with Yellow, red, orangeKamakshi White mul cotton, red border, gold zari saree by MAYINKamakshiWhite mul cotton, red border, gold zariPair with Red, gold, greenTrue Garnet Plain red mul modal saree by MAYINTrue GarnetPlain red mul modalPair with Gold, green, whiteAzura Royal blue floral print pure chiffon saree by MAYINAzuraRoyal blue floral print pure chiffonPair with Orange, yellow, silverMauve Melody Plain pink mul modal saree by MAYINMauve MelodyPlain pink mul modalPair with Green, gold, purpleRouge Waves Pink and purple leheriya print pure chiffon saree by MAYINRouge WavesPink and purple leheriya print pure chiffonPair with Gold, silver, greenBlueberry Pie Plain royal purple mul cotton saree by MAYINBlueberry PiePlain royal purple mul cottonPair with Gold, pink, silverAbhira Pink and purple striped mul cotton with zari saree by MAYINAbhiraPink and purple striped mul cotton with zariPair with Pink, purple, gold

See every colour in our Navratri sarees, or browse pooja sarees, Durga Puja sarees, festive wear sarees and chiffon sarees for garba. For the pujas themselves, read our pooja saree guide and Durga Puja saree guide. Every MAYIN saree is 5.5 m long. Shipping is free in India, we ship internationally, cash on delivery is available and you can return or exchange within 7 days. Order a couple of weeks before 30 September if your tailor needs to stitch a blouse.

Questions People Ask

What are the 9 colours of Navratri 2027?

Yellow, green, grey, orange, white, red, royal blue, pink and purple, from Thursday 30 September to Friday 8 October. The first seven follow the weekday rule; pink and purple come from the one list published so far, so check your local list again in September 2027.

When does Navratri start in 2027, and when is Dussehra?

Sharad Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana on Thursday 30 September 2027 and the ninth day is Friday 8 October. Dussehra is on Saturday 9 October in most calendars, and Bengali calendars place Bijoya Dashami on Sunday 10 October.

What colour should I wear on the first day of Navratri 2027?

Yellow. Navratri begins on a Thursday in 2027, and Thursday's colour is yellow.

Who decides the Navratri colours, and why do they change every year?

The custom was popularised by Marathi newspapers in Mumbai and is not prescribed in scripture. The first seven colours follow the weekday on which Navratri begins, so the order shifts each year, and publishers choose the last two from pink, purple and peacock green.

What colour is Durga Ashtami 2027?

Pink, in the list published so far. Durga Ashtami falls on Thursday 7 October 2027 in most calendars.

Is it compulsory to wear the Navratri colour of the day?

No. It is a popular custom, not a religious requirement, so join in if you enjoy it and follow your family's customs for the pujas.

What colour should not be worn during Navratri?

There is no rule, but many families avoid black during Navratri pujas by custom. If you are unsure, follow what your family or host does.

Can I wear a saree for garba?

Yes. Choose pure chiffon, mul modal or mul cotton, set the hem just above the ankle bone, pin the pleats twice and pin the pallu so it cannot swing into a dandiya stick or a lamp.

What shoes should I wear for garba and dandiya?

Flat juttis or kolhapuris with some grip, or bare feet where the venue allows. Heels and new shoes are hard work over several hours on a hard floor.

What do women wear to Golu?

A cotton or handloom saree with a zari border, often with jasmine in the hair, because a Golu evening means visiting several homes. Keep your best saree for the Saraswati Puja.

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