Navratri – a nine day festival dedicated to Mother Goddess Durga

Navratri is a 9 days Hindu festival dedicated to the supreme goddess Durga, Navratri festival dedicated to an incarnation of Durga. People hail and carry our Durga Pooja, pooja and wish for great life, compassion, wisdom and prosperity. Maa Durga is known as the universal protector and ward off evil spirits and demons from one’s life. The nine incarnations of Maa Durga are as follows :

Maa Sailputri, day one is Maa Sailputri, Sailputri is incarnation of Maa Parvati. She can be seen sitting on Nandi the bull with a Trishul in her right hand and lotus flowers in her left one, first day colour of the day remains Red, Maa Sailputri represent courage, vigorous and action.

Second day is Maa Brahmacharini. She is one of the many incarnations of Maa Parvati who became Sati, the Goddess to attain moksha or salvation and peace. She can be seen holding a Kamandalu and Japmala in her hand while walking bare-feet. Today colour of the day remain blue which depicts calmness and positive energy.

Third day is Maa Chandraghanta. Colour of the day yellow, the colour depicts bravery. The name was derived after Maa Parvati got married to Lord Shiva and adorned half moon on her forehead.

Fourth day is Maa Kushmanda. She is said to be the one endowing vegetation and greenery on earth, which is why color of the day remain green. She can be seen sitting on a lion with eight hands.

Fifth day is Maa Sakandmata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya or skanda. She depicts the mutating power of a mother , when she realize her child is in danger. Colour of the day remains grey. She can be seen having four arms, holding her small baby and riding a fierce lion.

Sixth day is Maa Katyayani, she is a incarnation of Goddess Durga and daughter to Sage Katya. She represent courage and is seen having four hands and riding a lion, colour of the day remains orange.

Seventh day is Kalratri, is known to be the ferocious from the Durga and worshipped on Saptami. It is believed that Maa Parvati’s fair skin got transformed into black in order to kill Sumbha and Nishumbha two demons. Color of the day remains white.

Eighth day is Mahagauri, she is symbol of peace and intellect, colour of the day remains pink which represents positivity.

 Ninth day is Siddhidatri, also called as Ardhnareshwara . She is said to possess all kind of siddhis. She can be seen sitting on a lotus and has four hands.

Navratri is celebrated 5 times a year as per Hindu traditional. Three Navratri are called gupt navratri  (Maha Gupt Navratri, Ashadha Gupt Navratri and Paush Gupt Navratri ). One is Sharad Navratri which is celebrated with great pomp and show by all Hindus. Sharad Navratri started 17 Oct 2020 -Sunday 25 Oct 2020. This festival is celebrated throughout India with lots of excitement and joy. After ninth day, tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra also known as Vijayadashmi, which marks the victory of Lord Ram over king Ravana. Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasanta navratri is observed in this month of Chaitra  (March – April ). According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva allowed his wife Durga to visit her parents for nine days. It is also said that during these nine days, the Goddess Durga is believed to wish her devotees with good health and wealth. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the new year of Hindu calendar observed with much fanfare in North India. It is a major festival for Bangali community . First day prepare for Ghatasthapana , a kalsh stabled for nine days, the kalsh filled with Ganga Jal or regular clean water. A few currency coins, supari, akshat rice  mixed with turmeric powder, then five leaves of the mango tree or placed around the neck of kalsh and finally kalash is covered the kalash with a fresh pictorial coloured cloth and put a small garland around it. You need to invoke goddess Durga in the kalash and thus invite her to your one to accept your offering and prayers, you would be required to greet her with chandan, flowers, incense, an oil lamp and fruit or prasad. Navratri marks the victory of good on over evil .

Hope you like this article and gain major insights about the festival of navratri. Overall the festival of navratri has a common theme that depicts victory of good over evil through regionally famous epic or legend such as the Ramayana or the Devi Mahatmya.

Thank You . keep enjoy the most famous  festival Navratri with blessings of Mata Rani. Jay Mata Di ☺️