Navratri (nine sacred days) is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated with immense enthusiasm and gusto across the country. According to Hinduism, the nine days of Navratri are the most auspicious days of the lunar calendar. These nine days are solely dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. Goddess Durga is the Goddess of power, and the nine days are celebrated seeking her protection to maintain peace and harmony.
The story which is associated with Navratri celebration is the battle between Goddess Durga and the buffalo demon Mahishasura (evil). Goddess Durga was successful in restoring peace and dharma against evil, and her success is celebrated every year as Durga Pooja. Navaratri is celebrated twice a year; in Chaitra (March-April) and Ashwin (September-October). The success of good over evil is celebrated every years as Navratri.
Nine Days Navaratri Celebration
Navaratri is separated in the three sets of 3 days of the worship of the supreme goddess. On the initial three days of the Navratri, the Goddess is worshipped as the goddess of power ‘Goddess Durga’. On the next three days, the goddess is worshipped as the mother of spiritual wealth ‘Goddess Lakshmi’. In the final three days, the Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, is worshipped.
For the nine days of Navratri, the Goddess of power, is worshipped in nine different avatars:
- Shailputri
- Brahmacharini,
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skanda Mata
- Katyayani
- Kalratri
- Maha Gauri
- Siddhidatri
People love dressing in a different colour for the nine days of Navratri, which is decided based on the day of the week from which the festival starts and then it follows a fixed cycle. So we have mentioned the colour to be worn on nine days of Navratri 2017.
First Day (Pratipada):
Colour to wear on this day – Yellow
On the first day of Navratri Shailputri avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped. She is considered a form of Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva, the daughter of the Himalayas, and is believed to have the manifestation of Green Light with her. This green light helps to reduce anger, and this energy manifests in Anahata (Heart chakra). The organs that are related to heart chakra are the heart, shoulder, back, arms, hand, chest and lungs.
Second Day (Dwitiya):
Colour to wear on this day – Green
On the second day of nine sacred days, the ‘Brahmacharini’ avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped. The goddess is considered as the storehouse of wisdom and knowledge. She is believed to have the manifestation of Blue Light (Swathisthana chakra) with her, which personifies loyalty, love and empowers actualization of goals. The organs related to Swathisthana chakra are neck, lung, and throat.
Third Day (Tritiya):
Colour to wear on this day – Grey
On the third day of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Chandraghanta, a symbolic representation of bravery and beauty. She is a giver of peace, bliss, growth, serenity and purpose of life. She is believed to have the manifestation of red light with a pink hue in her. This energy resides in root chakra (Mooladhar), which signifies stability, self-awareness, and security. The organs related to this chakra are bladder, kidney, pelvis, hips, legs and vertebral column.
Fourth Day (Chaturthi):
Colour to wear on this day – Orange
Kushmanda avatar of goddess Durga is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. It is believed that goddess Kushmanda has created the entire Universe by her laugh. The goddess destroys sorrows of the mind and ego by harmonizing the macro-universe with the inner micro-universe of the individual. She is believed to have the manifestation of Orange Light with the golden hue, which symbolizes creativity and respect for creative work of others, and destroying false ego in person. This energy resides in Sacral (swadhisthan) chakra. The organs related to this chakra are large bowel, uterus, lower abdomen, testes, ovaries, sexual organs.
Fifth Day (Panchami):
Colour to wear on this day – White
On the fifth day, the ‘Skand Mata’ avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped, who transforms energy provided by other goddesses in the form of wealth and strength for native. She is believed to have the manifestation of indigo light with the silver hue, and the energy resides in Agya or Brow chakra. This energy provides the believer with the virtue of self-responsibility. The organs related to this chakra are ears, nose, eyes, and lower head.
Sixth Day (Shashti):
Colour to wear on this day – Red
Katyayani avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri, who gives boons and fulfils wishes of the worshipers. Katyayani avatar of goddess Durga is seated on the lion and has three eyes and four hands. She is believed to have the manifestation of Yellow Light with her, which personifies self-confidence, self-worth, moral values and intellect. This energy resides in Solar plexus (Manipur) chakra. The organs related to this chakra are stomach, liver, intestine, spleen, middle back and gallbladder.
Seventh Day (Saptami):
Colour to wear on this day – Royal Blue
On the seventh day of Navratri, Goddess ‘Kalratri’ is worshipped, who destroys fear and blesses the worshipper with strength and fearlessness. Kalrati literally means dark-night, the Goddess is black has four hands, and has the manifestation of violet light with purple-blackish hue in her. This energy resides in Crown (Shastrara) chakra which provides the worshiper with spiritual awareness or higher consciousness. The organs related to this chakra are nervous system, brain, and top of the head.
Eighth Day (Ashtami):
Colour to wear on this day – Pink
On the eighth day of the Navratri, ‘Maha Gauri’ avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped, who signifies calmness and wisdom. Goddess Maha Gauri is considered tremendously beautiful, white like snow and ornamented with white colored ornaments. She is believed to destroy all sins of devotees and channelises their thought waves towards the path of the virtue.
Ninth Day (Navami):
Colour to wear on this day – Purple
On the ninth day of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Siddhidatri. It is believed that goddess Siddhidatri entails of all the eight siddhis. She provides the worshiper with all sidhis. She is worshipped by all humans, Deva, Gandharva, Yaksha, Asura, and Siddha. She has the manifestation of golden light over crown chakra.
Garba and Dandiya are also a significant part of Navratri celebration. Garba and dandiya festivals are organised across the country to grace the Navratri celebration and to seek the blessings of Maa Durga.
Pray and seek the blessings of the Goddess Durga this Navratri. May the Goddess shower her blessings and illuminate your life with happiness, peace and fortune.
