Why Navratri has nine colours
Each day of Sharad Navratri honours one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga), and in Maharashtra and Gujarat especially, wearing the day's colour has become a joyful tradition shared by offices, colleges and garba groups.
The colour for each day is traditionally linked to the weekday the day falls on, so the sequence changes every year. Always cross-check with your local panchang or temple calendar, as regional calendars can differ.
Day-wise colour guide
Day 1 – Orange: energy and warmth. A Kanjivaram or soft silk in marigold orange is perfect for the Ghatasthapana puja.
Day 2 – White: peace and purity. Try an off-white Chanderi or a white-and-red Garad silk saree.
Day 3 – Red: passion and strength, the most festive colour. A red Banarasi or a mirror-work red chaniya choli works beautifully.
Day 4 – Royal Blue: calm confidence. Royal blue Paithani or georgette sarees shine under garba lights.
Day 5 – Yellow: joy and brightness. Choose haldi-yellow soft silk or a bandhani saree.
Day 6 – Green: growth and prosperity. Bottle-green or parrot-green silk with gold zari.
Day 7 – Grey: balance. Grey organza or a grey-and-pink combination looks modern and elegant.
Day 8 – Purple: ambition and luxury. Purple Paithani is an evergreen favourite.
Day 9 – Peacock Green: individuality. Morpankhi-green Kanjivaram or a peacock-motif saree to close the festival in style.
Styling tips for nine nights of garba
Choose lightweight fabrics like soft silk, georgette or cotton-silk for evenings with a lot of twirling. Pair heavy oxidised jewellery with simple outfits and delicate gold jewellery with heavy zari sarees.
Long-wear, waterproof makeup (a smudge-proof kajal, a transfer-proof lipstick and a setting spray) will keep you glowing until the last dandiya round.