Navratri 2026 Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on 13 October; red is the colour of the day

Tuesday, 13 October, is the third day of Shardiya Navratri 2026, which is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga. Red is the colour of the day, according to colour lists published by the Free Press Journal, The Hans India and The Sunday Guardian.

The nine-day festival began on 11 October and ends on 19 October, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on 20 October, the Free Press Journal reported.

Day 3: goddess, colour and offerings

Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. The Sunday Guardian said red is associated with strength, courage, vitality and devotion. The Hans India reported that kheer and other milk-based sweets are traditionally offered as bhog on this day.

Puja customs include offering flowers, lighting a diya and chanting mantras, along with family traditions, according to The Sunday Guardian.

Navratri 2026 colour list

The Free Press Journal and The Hans India published the same nine-day colour list:

• Day 1, 11 October (Maa Shailputri): Orange
• Day 2, 12 October (Maa Brahmacharini): White
• Day 3, 13 October (Maa Chandraghanta): Red
• Day 4, 14 October (Maa Kushmanda): Royal Blue
• Day 5, 15 October (Maa Skandamata): Yellow
• Day 6, 16 October (Maa Katyayani): Green
• Day 7, 17 October (Maa Kalaratri): Grey
• Day 8, 18 October (Maa Mahagauri): Purple
• Day 9, 19 October (Maa Siddhidatri): Peacock Green

Regional variations

All the sources checked by The Daily Rostrum gave red as the colour for 13 October. The Free Press Journal reported that the colours are traditionally assigned according to the weekday on which each day of the festival falls. The Sunday Guardian noted that colour associations “can vary by region and family tradition” and advised readers to check a local Panchang. Puja and Ghatasthapana timings can also vary by location, the Free Press Journal said.

Sources: Free Press Journal, The Hans India, The Sunday Guardian