Navratri

Navratri

Navratri is an Indian festival that spans nine nights while the tenth day is called Vijayadashm and is celebrated every year in the autumn. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of India. It is also called nauratri. It begins from Ashwini Shukla Prathama and ends on Ashwini Shukla Navami according to the Hindu calendar. In the nine days and night, the nine avatars or incarnation of Devi Durga is worshipped.



In the eastern and northeastern states of India, the Durga Puja is synonymous with Navaratri, wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the northern and western states, the festival is synonymous with "Rama Lila" and Dussehra that celebrates the battle and victory of god Rama over the demon king Ravana. In southern states, the victory of different goddesses, of Rama or Saraswati is celebrated. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of Good over Evil based on a regionally famous epic or legends such as the Ramayana or the Devi Mahatmya.  

On the first day - Shailputri 

 It is in this form that the Goddess is worshiped as the consort of Shiva; she is depicted as riding the bull, Nandi, with a trident(trishul) in her right hand and lotus in her left. Shailaputri is considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali. The color of the day is grey, which depicts action and vigor

On the second day - Brahmacharini

 In this form, Parvati became Sati, her unmarried srsipation or moksha and endowment of peace and prosperity. Depicted as walking bare feet and holding a japamala and kamandal in her hands, she symbolizes bliss and calm. Blue is the color code of this day. Orange color depicts tranquility yet strong energy.

On the third day - Chandraghanta

 The name derived from the fact that after marrying Shiva, Parvati adorned her forehead with the Ardha Chandra (lit. half-moon). She is the embodiment of beauty and is also symbolic of bravery. White is the color of the third day, which is a vivacious color and can pep up everyone's mood.

On the fourth day - Kushmanda 

Believed to be the creative power of the universe, Kushmanda associated with the endowment of vegetation on earth, and hence, the color of the day is Red. She is depicted as having eight arms and sits on a Tiger.

On the fifth day - Skanda

She is the mother of Skanda. The color of Royal blue is symbolic of the transforming strength of a mother when her child is confronted with danger. She is depicted riding a ferocious lion, having four arms and holding her baby.

On the sixth day - Katyayni

Born to sage Katyayana, she is an incarnation of Durga and is shown to exhibit courage which is symbolized by the color Yellow. Known as the warrior goddess, she is considered one of the most violent forms of Devi. In this avatar, Kātyāyanī rides a lion and has four hands. She is a form of Maha Lakshmi

On the seventh day - Kalratri

Considered the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga, Kalaratri is revered on Saptami. It is believed that Parvati removed her fair skin to kill the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. The color of the day is Green. On Saptami, the Goddess appears in a white color attire with a lot of rage in her fiery eyes, her skin turns black. The white color portrays prayer and peace and ensures the devotees that the Goddess will protect them from harm.

On the eighth day – Mahagauri

Mahagauri symbolizes intelligence and peace. The color associated with this day is Peakcock Green which depicts optimism.

On the ninth day - Siddhidatri

On the last day of the festival also known as Navami, people pray to Siddhidhatri. Sitting on a lotus, she is believed to possess and bestows all types of Siddhis. Here she has four hands. Also known as SriLakshmi Devi. The purple color of the day portrays an admiration towards nature's beauty.



Celebrations include worshipping nine goddesses in nine days, stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. The nine days are also a major crop season cultural event, such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to these pandals and the public celebration of classical and folk dances of Hindu culture

On the final day, called the Vijayadashami or Dussehra, the statues are either immersed in a water body such as river and ocean, or alternatively the statue symbolizing the evil is burnt with fireworks marking evil's destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays, Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami or Dussehra or Dashain.