Navratri festival is to celebrate the strength and power of the nine Goddesses for nine days by the people of the entire universe. In the month of Ashwin, which falls generally within the month of September and October, the nine incarnations of the Goddess Durga is worshipped for being the power of all God and Goddesses.

The nines Goddess that is believed to fulfill the divineness of Durga are:

Goddess Shailputri: The first incarnation of Goddess Durga, is known as Sati born in the house of “The King of Himalayas” Daksha. Shailputri, the name it means the daughter of the mountains blessed with the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Goddess Brahmacharini:  The second avatar, devotion for her Lord who had chosen to spend her life as Brahmacharini. Celebrated on day two of the Navratri, she adapted the path of spirituality and sacred Knowledge to acquire enlightenment.

Goddess Chandraghanta:  On the third day, the existence of Goddess Chandraghanta with the strength to fight against evils and demons. She has the third eye open on her forehead that defines being alert against enemies. Half moon-like bell is the meaning of her name also known as Chandika.

Goddess Kushmanda: Goddess who has eight hands, another incarnation of Parvati. She is believed to have the power and energy to bestow the grace of wealth and strength.  The avatar of Ashtabhuja is worshipped on the fourth day.

Goddess Skandamata:   She carries Lord Skanda on her lap, sitting on a lion, describing her strength and wealth. She has four hands with a lotus in one hand that symbolizes prosperity, also known as Devi with the Lotus as her seat over the lion.  Her essence of rituals is performed on the fifth day of the Navratri festival.

Goddess Katyayani:  One who rides on the lion known as AmaraKosha, worshipped by Sita to find a good husband. On the sixth day, this avatar of Durga is worshipped with believers to gain better luck in the upcoming days. Her name was given after she was worshipped by Rishi Katyani and was recognized as the daughter of Rishi Katyayani.

Goddess Kalratri: Goddess with the darkest skin as black with the garland of skulls, on the seventh day  Kalratri Devi is worshipped. Her Vahana or ride is in Donkey or Lion with a weapon like a sword in one hand out of four, it is believed that the nights of each 24 hours is ruled by the Kalratri.

Goddess Maha Gauri: The better half of Lord Shiva, with her mount on the bull, is celebrated on the eighth day as the part of Navdurga. Gauri, who symbolizes as the bestower of attraction and beauty of a woman with blessings from her.

Goddess Siddhidhatri:  The complete formation of the goddess with the entire power of the three Lords of the universe. Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma who has to bless Siddhidhatri to become the supreme to win against all evils.

Navratri festival is of rituals for the Navdurga, which are enjoyed throughout the nine days, dancing, music, and food with families and friends. Being free from all kinds of stress and unhappiness, this is these are the days’ devotees focus to celebrate nine avatars of Durga.

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Navratri is the widely observed festival in India where goddess Durga, the symbol of wisdom and purity is worshipped the nationwide.

It is the celebration of good being triumphant over evil and the festival spans for nine days when the millennia soak in festive hues with bright clothing and a spirited heart. The key highlight of the festival is ‘Garba’, the traditional dance which is performed throughout the nine days by the devotees. Garba is symbolic of Lord Krisna indulging in merriment with his Gopis in the sacred land of Vrindavan.

In the due course of Navratri, Goddess Durga and her nine avatars are worshipped with utmost devotion. It is said that worshipping the goddess insulates the lives of devotees against all kinds of evil and they are sorted for a prosperous future.

The childless seek blessings of goddess to have a child, the unemployed seek her blessings to be placed in his dream job, the ailing seek her blessings for riddance from the diseases and goddess never disappoints her devotees, it is said.

However, this one begs a question as to why there are nine shades of Navratri. Well, perhaps because the nine avatars of the goddess being worshipped during the nine days time is the answer for the question. We will hereby discuss about the nine avatars of the goddess and why they are so significant:

Mata Shailaputri:

She is first among the avatars who are worshipped. The devotees wear yellow in the day she is worshipped. This day is going to fall on 10th October, 2018.

Mata Brahmacharini:

She is the second in the nine avatars of the goddess who is worshipped in the second day of Navratri. Her devotees wear the color green in the day she is worshipped. The day is going to fall on 11th October, 2018 .

Mata Chandraghanta:

Mata Chandraghanta is the third among the nine avatars who is worshipped during the third day of Navratri. Her devotees wear Grey in the day she is worshipped. This avatar of the goddess symbolizes serenity, peace, beauty and bravery. The day will fall on 11th October, 2018.

Mata Kushmanda:

Kushmanda Mata is the fourth avatar among the nine avatars of goddess durga who is worshipped during the fourth day of Navtarti. She is known to be the creator of the Universe and the color her devotees wear at the day she is worshipped is Orange. This day will fall on 12th October, 2018.

Skandamata:

Skandamata is known to be the main face of Maa Durga who has slain the demons. The day she is worshipped is called Panchami and her devotees wear white at the day she is worshipped. This day will fall on 13th October, 2018.

Mata Katyayani:

She is the sixth avatar of goddess Durga hence worshipped in the sixth day of Navratri. Her ardent devotees wear Red as this is the color that symbolizes her. This day will fall on 14th October, 2018.

Mata Kaalratri:

She is the seventh avatar of goddess Durga hence worshipped in the seventh day of Navratri. She is believed to shield her devotes from all sorts of evils. She ushers them into happiness and freedom as they worship her. The day she is worshipped is called Saptami and her devotees wear the color blue on this day. It will fall on the 15th October, 2018.

Mata Mahagauri:

Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri and her color is Pink. She is said to purify her devotees of their sins. This day will fall on 16th October, 2018.

Mata Siddhidatri:

She is worshipped in the ninth day of Navratri as for being the ninth avatar of goddess Durga. She is believed to have supernatural powers and her day is an auspicious day for the female devotees. Purple is the color of Mata Siddhidatri. This day will fall on 17th October, 2018.

These are the nine consecutive days in the 2018 calendar when the nine avatars of goddess Durga will be worshipped. This is the reason why Navratri has nine shades.

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Festival of Navratri – With the Navratri just around the corner, I would literally ask myself “Is Navratri only a Gujarati thing?”

Navratri sets the mood of celebration not only in Gujarat but throughout the country. I can literally watch people enjoying Dandiya Raas at one side of the street while another bunch of people worshipping Goddess Durga and enjoying the festival of Durga Puja (typically the Bengali’s).

Well, it is not only the Gujarati’s and the Bengali’s who celebrate Navratri, but this nine days festival is celebrated in different states in different ways.

Check out 9 different ways how India celebrates the festival of Navratri.

1. Maharashtra

The celebration of Navratri in Maharashtra (read as Aamchi Mumbai) is as similar as the people of Gujarat celebrate. You can observe every locality organizing Garba and dandiya nights with lots of lights and themes to be seen. Apart from this, Navratri is also seen as a day of new beginning in Maharashtra. Purchasing new house, car and many other things are quite common during this period.

2. Kerala

Kerala celebrates the festival of Navratri during its last three days. According to Keralites, the last three days of Navratri plays an important role in their life as they worship Ma Saraswati from the day of Ashtami to Dashami.  They place musical instruments and books in front of Goddess Saraswati and seek blessings.

3. West Bengal and Bihar

The city of Kolkata literally comes to a halt during Navratri. West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, and Assam celebrate the festival of Durga Puja for last four days of Navratri. Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and merriness in these states. With great pandals and majestic Durga Ma idols to glance at, Durga Puja brings lot of happiness. The sound of Dhol along with Dhunchi naach and fragrance of agarbatti’s fills the air with purity.

4. Karnataka

Popular Indian festival, Navratri is known as “Naada Habba” in the state of Karnataka. They celebrate Navratri for nine days which involves a traditional ritual of elephant procession. You can see grand elephant processions with large fairs and exhibitions held across the state of Karnataka for all the 9 days.

5. Punjab

Typical Punjabi’s from the state of Punjab keep 7 days fasting during Navratri. Later, they end their fast on the eighth and ninth day of Navratri by worshipping 9 little girls. This tradition carried out by Punjabis is known as Kanjika. Many Punjabis also organize jagratta which involves waking for the whole night to worship God and seek blessings.

6. Andra Pradesh

People from Andra Pradesh typically celebrate Bathukamma Panduga during nine days of Navratri where they worship Goddess Gauri. “Batukamma Panduga” literally means “Come Alive Mother Goddess”. Women wear new saree and jewelry and worship God for 9 days. They also make flower stack which is submerged in a water body on the ninth day of the festival.

7. Tamil Nadu

The festival of Navratri is observed as the most special period in Tamil Nadu as they worship Goddess Durga, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Lakshmi. Each of this Goddess is worshipped for three days each. One important feature of the festival is a decoration of Kolu, which is basically a staircase having nine steps. Nine step of the staircase is decorated with idols of the Goddess which represents the nine days of the festival.

8. Gujarat

Navratri is one among the most awaited festivals in the state of Gujarat. Gujarati’s just can’t keep calm during the nine days of the festival. You can see people dancing around the idol of goodness all decked up with colorful and bright clothes. Devotes perform puja while others are seen enjoying the festival while performing garbage using the dandiya sticks. Gujarati’s also fast for nine days.

9. Himachal Pradesh

While the other states of India is busy celebrating Navratri for nine days, the celebration in Himachal Pradesh starts when it ends. Navratri is known as Kullu Dussehra where people celebrate the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya. Local people and families get together and offer prayer to Goddess Durga.

Did we miss anything? Kindly let us know by your comments here. Till then, have a happy Navratri.

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