Navaratri: Nine Nights of Devotion and Celebration

Navratri is a revered Hindu festival that signifies devotion, unity, and the celebration of divine feminine energy. The festival spans nine nights and is mainly celebrated in India to honour goddess Durga, also known as Shakti. This festival commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Navratri also signifies the changing seasons, particularly the shift from monsoon to autumn, a time of cleansing and renewal in Hindu belief.

During the Navratri celebration, devotees worship Goddess Durga, seek her blessings and engage in rituals. Special dances like dandiya and garba are performed in devotion, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra, as part of the festival celebration. You can discover the best Navratri deals at Ubuy and shop for various costumes, home-related decor and festival-related items to complement your festivities. The Navratri festival generally falls during the months of Ashwin, i.e., September to October.

Story Behind Navratri: Why Celebrate Navratri?

The best-known story associated with the Navratri celebration in India is the legendary battle between the goddess Durga and the demon king Mahishasura.

As per Hindu mythology, Mahishasura was a powerful demon whose tyranny affected both the earth and the heavens. After receiving a boon that made him invincible to men, Mahishasura began his rampage, threatening the cosmic order. In response, the trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva combined their powers to create the Goddess Durga, an embodiment of divine feminine strength.

Each of the gods bestowed their unique qualities upon Durga, arming her with weapons, power, and wisdom. With these divine gifts, Goddess Durga fought Mahishasura for nine consecutive days and nights. On the tenth day, she finally defeated him, marking the victory of good over evil. This tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra, signifying the victory of Dharma (righteousness) over Adharma (unrighteousness). The story illustrates the spiritual significance of the Navratri festival, reminding devotees of the power of the divine feminine energy and the triumph of good over evil.

The Significance of the 9 Days of Navratri

The Navratri celebration carries deep spiritual importance. Each of the nine days is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga, representing various facets of divine feminine power. These forms, known as the Navadurga, are known for their unique attributes, and each day carries its symbolic meaning.

Pratipada (Day 1)-Shailputri Devi:

The first day of Navratri is the day of Shailputri. She’s the daughter of “Hemavana,” the Himalayan king. She is also known as “Mother Nature. ” She rides a bull and holds a lotus flower in one hand and a trident in the other, representing the past, present, and future. Red is the colour of this day.

Dwatiya (Day 2)-Brahmacharini Devi:

The second day is dedicated to Brahmacharini, “one who practices austerity.” She embodies spiritual knowledge and devotion. She holds prayer beads in her right hand and a water pot in her left. The colour of this day is blue, symbolising tranquillity.

Tritya (Day 3)-Chandraghanta Devi:

The third day of this celebration is devoted to Goddess Chandraghanta. She has a bell-shaped half-moon on her forehead dedicated to her third eye. Her ten hands hold various weapons. The goddess rides on a tiger, symbolising strength and courage. Yellow, symbolising brightness and happiness, is worn on this day.

Chaturthi (Day 4)-Chaturthi Kushmanda Devi:

Kushmanda means “creator of the universe.” She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi for her eight arms. She rides a lion and is associated with the colour green. The colour for this day is green, representing growth and prosperity.

Panchami (Day 5)-Skandamata Devi:

On the fifth day, Skandamata, the mother of Kartikeya (the god of war), is worshipped. She is depicted seated on a lotus, has four arms and represents motherly love. People wear grey-coloured dresses on this day to honour Skandamata Devi.

Shashthi (Day 6)-Shashthi Katyayani:

On the sixth day, devotees worship Katyayani, the warrior goddess. She is one of Durga’s fiercest forms, with wild hair and up to 18 arms, all holding weapons. She dispels darkness and evil, and people wear orange to worship Maa Katyayani Devi.

Saptami (Day 7)-Kalaratri Devi:

Devi Kalaratri is dark-complexioned, has four arms, and has dishevelled hair. She is also among Durga’s most menacing forms. Worshipping her is said to bring fearlessness and auspiciousness. Worshippers wear pink on this day to honour her.

Ashtami (Day 8)-Mahagauri Devi:

The eighth day is for Mahagouri Devi. She symbolises peace, serenity, and purity. She is often depicted as wearing a white saree and riding a bull. To worship the Devi, sky blue dresses are worn. She wears a white saree, symbolising serenity.

Navami (Day 9)-Siddhidatri:

The final night of Navratri is dedicated to Siddhidatri, the goddess who grants all supernatural powers. She sits on a lotus flower and is said to grant wisdom and happiness. The colour of the day is purple, symbolising ambition and power.

After Navratri, Dussehra or Vijayadashmi, is celebrated on the tenth day to signify the victory of good over evil, symbolising the culmination of the Navratri celebration.

Navratri Ritual and Customs: A Celebration of Devotion, Spiritual Renewal and Unity

Navratri is marked by rituals and customs like prayer, fasting, dances, and charitable acts. These rituals promote spiritual renewal, communal unity, and a deeper connection with divine energy. They also highlight the festival’s symbolic elements and strengthen the cultural fabric of communities celebrating Navratri in India.

Kalash Sthapana (Ghatasthpana)

The Kalash Sthapana marks the beginning of Navratri and is a significant ritual in many households. It involves the following steps:

1. A metal pot, or Kalash, is filled with holy water.
2. Mango leaves are placed on the mouth of the Kalash, symbolising prosperity.
3. A coconut, representing Lord Shiva, is positioned atop the Kalash.
4. The kalash is then placed in the prayer area, buried under soil, and barley seeds are sown over it.

As the barley seeds grow over nine days, they signify abundance and prosperity. The Kalash represents the Goddess Durga’s presence throughout the festival, marking the significance of purification and spiritual growth.

Devotional Prayers and Aarti

Navratri holds special importance in Hinduism. During these nine days, Shakti devotees sing bhajans and soul-stirring devotional songs. People visit temples, install idols of goddesses inside their home temples or prayer rooms, and decorate them with spirituality and devotion. Feeding sweets to young girls is one of the most observed rituals during Navratri’s last days. Devotees light lamps around the goddess’s idol during prayers and sing aartis with rhythmic clapping.

Kanya Puja

This ritual involves inviting nine young girls to your home, symbolising the nine forms of the Goddess Durga. Then, you wash their feet after offering them a meal, typically including puris, halwa, and other delicacies. The girls are offered gifts, and their blessings are sought. Many devotees contribute to charities and distribute sweets, clothes, and money during this auspicious time to give back to the community.

Fasting and Satvik Diet

Fasting is an integral part of the Navratri celebration. Many devotees consume only the Satvik diet, which excludes non-vegetarian foods, onions, and garlic. This diet is meant to cleanse the body and mind, purify the soul, and deepen the devotee’s spiritual connection with Goddess Durga. Some people fast for all nine days, while others may fast only on specific days, breaking their fasts after evening prayers.

Garba and Dandiya During Navratri

During the Navratri festival, people of all ages engage in dandiya celebrations. Garba is a traditional dance form that involves graceful circular movements around a central lamp or image of a goddess, Durga, representing the cyclic nature of life. Dandiya is performed with colourful wooden sticks and represents the mock fight between Goddess Durga and Mahishasur. Participants wear traditional attire such as chaniya cholis for women and kurtas for men.

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