Navaratri is a Hindu festival that spans nine nights (and ten days) and is celebrated every year in the autumn.
Celebrations include 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.
Significance of Each Day
The festival is associated with the prominent battle that took place between Durga and demon Mahishasura and celebrates the victory of Good over Evil.[18] These nine days are solely dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine Avatars.[19] Each day is associated with an incarnation of the goddess:
Day 1: Shailaputri
Known as Pratipada, this day is associated with Shailaputri (literally “Daughter of Mountain”), an incarnation of Parvati. It is in this form that the Goddess is worshipped as the consort of Shiva; she is depicted as riding the bull, Nandi, with a trishula in her right hand and lotus in her left. Shailaputri is considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali. The colour of the day is red, which depicts action and vigor.
Day 2: Brahmacharini
On Dwitiya, Goddess Brahmacharini, another incarnation of Parvati, is worshipped. In this form, Parvati became Sati, her unmarried self. Brahmacharini is worshipped for emancipation 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 colour code of this day. Blue colour depicts tranquillity yet strong energy.
Day 3: Chandraghanta
Tritiya commemorates the worship of Chandraghanta – the name derived from the fact that after marrying Shiva, Parvati adorned her forehead with half-chandra (lit. moon). She is the embodiment of beauty and is also symbolic of bravery. Yellow is the colour of the third day, which is a vivacious colour and can pep up everyone’s mood.
Day 4: Kushmanda
Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on Chaturthi. Believed to be the creative power of the universe, Kushmanda associated with the endowment of vegetation on earth and hence, the colour of the day is Green. She is depicted as having eight arms and sits on a Tiger.
Day 5: Skandmata
Skandamata, the goddess worshipped on Panchami, is the mother of Skanda (or Kartikeya). The colour Grey 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.
Day 6: Katyayani
Born to a sage, Katyayana, she is an incarnation of Durga and is shown to exhibit courage which is symbolized by the colour Orange. Known as the warrior goddess, she is considered one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati. In this avatar, Kātyāyanī rides a lion and has four hands.
Day 7: Kalaratri
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 colour of the day is White. On Saptami, the Goddess appears in a white colour attire with a lot of rage in her fiery eyes, her skin turns black. The white colour portrays prayer and peace and ensures the devotees that the Goddess will protect them from harm.
Day 8: Mahagauri
Mahagauri symbolizes intelligence and peace. The colour associated with this day is Pink which depicts optimism.
Day 9: Sidhidatri
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 type of Siddhis. Here she has four hands. Also known as Saraswati Devi. The light blue colour of the day portrays an admiration towards nature’s beauty.
