Navratri has its own significance, the nine days of the festivities are dedicated to the power of Goddess Durga. Each day is devoted to the nine avatars of Durga that has their own significance. These days are to celebrate the power through worship.

The days also are differentiated into different colors. Each color has a statement to express the power of the avatars based on the days. Based on the days the colors are specifically worn by the worshippers and devotees. Durga puja is one of the popular festivals of the Hindus. It may be in any corner of the world, people celebrate it from the core of their hearts.

Significance of Navratri and its colors

The avatars of Durga are based on the incarnations that symbolize the triumph of the Goddess. On these days devotees spend to celebrate the energy, positivity, and strength of the Goddess through prayers, chants, music, and rituals. The rituals for each day vary including the prayers for the nine days.

Shailaputri, the first day

The first day of Navratri begins with worshipping Goddess Shailaputri. She is also known as Hemwati, Parvati, Sati, the daughter of the mountains (Shaila). The Goddess is considered the embodiment of the Tridev. On this day people wear orange colors and worship the Goddess.

Brahmacharini, second day

The avatar of Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day. It is the Incarnation of the Goddess that symbolizes the state of brahmacharya. Female practices and adapts the path of Brahmacharya which is known as a brahmachari. White is considered the auspicious color for this day.

Chandraghanta, the third day

Devotees pray on this day for prosperity and progress, she wears a half moon on her forehead. The avatar of Chandraghanta shows her appearance after marrying Lord Shiva. She wears a third eye with ten hands. It is the avatar after marriage, devotees red color on this day.

Kushmanda, the fourth day of Navratri

The Goddess with the cosmic power, devotees worship the avatar of Kushmanda for their well-being as well as strength. She is the Goddess with eight hands that are also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. On the fourth-day people wear Royal blue which describes her radiance and elegance.

Skandamata, the fifth day

The idol of Skandamata is known as the Abhaya Mudra. Goddess Durga who is known as the mother of war carries a child, Lord Skanda in her lap. It is one of the brave and ferocious avatars that is celebrated on the fifth day. To express energy and fire the auspicious color of the day is yellow.

Katyayani, the sixth day

On the sixth day, Katyayani day is celebrated which symbolizes prosperity and fertility. It is also the avatar of Mahalaxmi. The day is adorned by the color green which defines prosperity and staying away from evil.

Kalaratri, the seventh day

The avatar of Goddess Durga, Kalaratri is on the seventh day of Navratri. A black complexion with red eyes also known as Kali Mata. The color for this day is grey which helps to remain balanced.

Maha Gauri, the eighth day

One of the popular avatars is Maha Gauri, it is on the eighth day. She symbolizes purity, trust, and peace. Worshippers pray for her blessings and purple is the color of this day.

Siddhidharti, the ninth day

On the last day of Navratri, the idol of Siddhidharti is worshipped. Devotees pray to the Goddess for its strength to develop the power of natural healing. The color of the day is green which describes integrity and grace.

The nine days of Navratri are cherished with rituals, prayers, and fun for families and friends. Above all apart from receiving the blessings of Goddess Durga, devotees pray to acknowledge the victory and grace.

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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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The formation of a single body from two souls is seen in the “Ardhanarishvara”. The idol that is the formation of Shiva and Parvati, is the partial combination of both to set one of the greatest examples of love and unity. The “Vahana” of the half man and half woman is the Nandi, who is known as the blind disciple of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva who is believed to rule the universe had a strong bond of love and relationship which can be predicted from the idol. Being two souls separated from each other they are one mind and have dedicated them to stay bonded to each other. Their mind and body are entirely one which is necessary for the true couples who think as one and feel the same passion to be along with each other.

The half body of man is of Lord Shiva, you can see the interlocked hair with the sign of the moon on the head. The third eye of Lord Shiva is visible on the forehead with whom he can see the universe while at his right-hand side is Parvati with long black curly hair, beautifully dressed up in saree adorned with flowers and ornaments. Her vahana is Lion, she is seen with a bull and lion along with her lord Shiva.

The idol signifies about the conception of gender difference, between a man and a woman. It entirely denies the differential treatment based on gender. Apart from it, an incident is also famous when Shiva decided to make Parvati his better half. Nandi has always been the closest disciple, no one can understand or imagine Lord Shiva without Nandi and Bhringi.

Parvati wanted Nandi to worship her similarly as they do for Lord Shiva. But Nandi denied to do so, and Parvati was highly upset about the discrimination. This is also a reason to believe that Lord Shiva decided to unite with Gauri so that she can receive the worship of his disciples.

Shiva and Parvati have been always a great belief of nature and love, so on other hand, their unity has been the sign showing the close of a man and woman required along with dependence and trust to be together. “Ardhanarishwar” with the position of “Tribhanga”, which is the body posture is divided into three parts. The head, body inclined to form two parts that finally divides into three. You can also find the sitting postures of the idol, half Shiva and Parvati but mostly the standing postures are seen in the temples.

Ancient scriptures and depictions have mentioned about the undivided and inseparable connection between the couple. It stands as the symbol of togetherness, support each other. Compatibility of love and understanding which is highly important for the relationship between husband-wife. Who can think beyond themselves? Think about their partner and stand for them, a great precedent to the universe, where nature and beauty have been described inseparable.

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