Navratri: The Festival of Nine Nights
Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her different forms. Date – Navratre Starts from 30 – March -2025 to 06 – April – 2025. The word “Navratri” means “Nine Nights” (Nav = Nine, Ratri = Night). It is celebrated twice a year—Chaitra Navratri (March-April) and Sharad Navratri (September-October). Among them, Sharad Navratri is the most widely celebrated across India.
Significance of Navratri
It symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
It is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, who fought against the demon Mahishasura.
The festival is a time of fasting, devotion, dance, and celebrations in different parts of India.
Nine Days of Navratri & Goddess Worshipped
Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga:
Day 1 – Shailputri (Symbol of Strength & Devotion)
Day 2 – Brahmacharini (Goddess of Knowledge & Wisdom)
Day 3 – Chandraghanta (Destroyer of Evil Forces)
Day 4 – Kushmanda (Creator of the Universe)
Day 5 – Skandamata (Mother of Lord Kartikeya)
Day 6 – Katyayani (Symbol of Courage)
Navratri Celebrations Across India
Gujarat – Famous for Garba & Dandiya Raas dance.
West Bengal – Celebrated as Durga Puja, with grand pandals and idol immersions.
North India – Ramlila performances and fasting (Navratri Vrat) are common.
Maharashtra – People install Golu dolls and perform community prayers.
South India – Navratri is observed with Golu displays and devotional singing.
Fasting and Food During Navratri
People observe fasts and avoid grains, onions, and garlic.
Special Satvik food like Sabudana Khichdi, Kuttu Poori, and Singhara Halwa is eaten.
Navratri 2025 Dates & Tithi
Each day is dedicated to a different form of Maa Durga:
Day & Date Navratri Tithi Goddess Worshipped Day 1 – September 25, 2025 Pratipada Shailputri (Goddess of Strength) Day 2 – September 26, 2025 Dwitiya Brahmacharini (Goddess of Knowledge) Day 3 – September 27, 2025 Tritiya Chandraghanta (Goddess of Peace) Day 4 – September 28, 2025 Chaturthi Kushmanda (Goddess of Creation) Day 5 – September 29, 2025 Panchami Skandamata (Mother of Kartikeya) Day 6 – September 30, 2025 Shashti Katyayani (Warrior Goddess) Day 7 – October 1, 2025 Saptami Kaalratri (Destroyer of Darkness) Day 8 – October 2, 2025 Ashtami Mahagauri (Goddess of Purity) Day 9 – October 3, 2025 Navami Siddhidatri (Goddess of Wisdom)
How Navratri is Celebrated in 2025
1. Fasting & Rituals
Many devotees fast for nine days, eating only fruits, dairy, and vrat-friendly food like sabudana khichdi and kuttu roti.
Temples hold special prayers, havans, and bhajans in honor of Maa Durga.
Kanya Puja (worshipping young girls as forms of the Goddess) is done on Ashtami or Navami.
2. Cultural Celebrations
Garba & Dandiya Nights: Gujarat and Mumbai host colorful Garba and Dandiya Raas events.
Durga Puja (Bengal & East India): Kolkata celebrates Durga Puja with grand pandals, idol processions, and cultural performances.
Ramlila & Dussehra (North India): Dramatic performances of Ramayana take place, ending with Ravana Dahan (burning of Ravana’s effigy) on Vijayadashami.
Golu Display (South India): People arrange Golu dolls and worship Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga.
Navratri 2025: Auspicious Colors for Each Day
Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific color, symbolizing different energies:
Navratri Day Color to Wear Symbolism Day 1 Yellow Positivity & Energy Day 2 Green Growth & Prosperity Day 3 Grey Strength & Protection Day 4 Orange Enthusiasm & Success Day 5 White Purity & Peace Day 6 Red Power & Passion Day 7 Royal Blue Confidence & Stability Day 8 Pink Love & Compassion Day 9 Purple Wisdom & Devotion
- Day 1: Shailputri – Known for her gentle nature and ability to bring peace and prosperity.
- Day 2: Brahmacharini – Represents austerity, discipline, and self-control.
- Day 3: Chandraghanta – Known for her radiant beauty and the ability to grant strength and courage.
- Day 4: Kushmanda – Embodies beauty, grace, and the ability to create and sustain the universe.
- Day 5: Skandamata – Represents motherhood, compassion, and nurturing.
- Day 6: Katyayani – Known for her power to protect and grant victory over enemies.
- Day 7: Kalaratri – Represents the destroyer of darkness and ignorance, symbolizing transformation.
- Day 8: Mahagauri – Embodies beauty, grace, and the ability to grant prosperity and happiness
Shailputri Mata, the first form of Goddess Durga, is the daughter of the Mountain King Himavat, and is worshipped on the first day of Navratri, representing purity and nature.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Shailputri is the first of the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga) and is worshipped on the first day of Navratri.
She is known as “Shailaputri” because she is the daughter of Himavat, the king of the mountains (Shaila means mountain and Putri means daughter).
She is considered a reincarnation of Goddess Sati, who was married to Lord Shiva.
She is typically depicted with two hands, carrying a trident and a lotus, and is often shown riding a bull.
Worshipping Shailaputri is believed to bring strength, courage, and stability, and to cleanse the inner self and remove negative energies.
On the third day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta, a peaceful and powerful form of the goddess Durga, who is depicted with a half-moon on her forehead and a bell, symbolizing her ability to vanquish negativity and grant strength.
Here’s a more detailed look at Maa Chandraghanta:
“Chandraghanta” means “one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell”.
She is depicted with ten hands, riding a tiger, and is often associated with the color grey.
- She is the third form of Navadurga, worshipped on the third day of Navratri.
- Her name “Chandraghanta” refers to the half-moon and bell on her forehead, which are said to drive away negativity and spirits.
- She embodies peace, bravery, and strength, and is believed to grant eternal power and strength to her devotees.
- She is also associated with the Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra), which governs personal power and determination.
On the third day of Navratri, devotees perform special puja rituals to honor and invoke the blessings of Goddess Chandraghanta, including cleansing the puja area, decorating it with jasmine flowers, and chanting mantras.
On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Kushmanda, one of the nine forms of the Hindu goddess Durga, also known as Mata Rani.
likely refers to the fifth form of the goddess Durga, known as Skandamata, worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is the mother of Kartikeya, the god of war, and is depicted as seated on a lotus, holding her child.
- Name: Skandamata, meaning “mother of Skanda”.
- Significance: Skandamata is considered the embodiment of motherhood, compassion, and grace.
- Appearance: She is depicted as seated on a lotus, holding her child, Skanda (Kartikeya), in her lap.
- Worship: She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri, and her devotees seek her blessings for motherhood, happiness, and prosperity.
- Other Names: She is also known as “Skanda Mata” and “Maa Skandamata”.
Maa Katyayani, the sixth form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri, known as a fierce and powerful warrior goddess, often depicted riding a lion and slaying the demon Mahishasura.
Here’s a more detailed look at Maa Katyayani:
She is considered one of the fiercest incarnations of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri, which is dedicated to her.
Maa Katyayani is known as the warrior goddess, a form of Mahadevi or Adi Shakti, and is believed to have slain the demon Mahishasura.
She is often depicted with four, ten, or eighteen hands, riding a lion, and holding a sword and a lotus flower.
She is associated with the planet Brihaspati and embodies qualities of intelligence and peace.
The color red is associated with this day, representing divine feminine energy, bravery, passion, and transformation.
Devotees often offer vermillion, red bangles, and other shringaar items to the Goddess during the puja.
A common mantra for Maa Katyayani is “ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः”.
She is also known as Mahishasurmardini, the Goddess who slayed Mahishasura.
According to the Skanda Purana, various Devas (Gods) created the Goddess from their energy, for the sole purpose of defeating Mahishasura.
On the seventh day of Navratri, Hindus worship Maa Kalaratri, a fierce and destructive form of Goddess Durga, revered for her ability to destroy evil and ignorance, and protect devotees from harm.
Maa Kalaratri is the seventh avatar of Goddess Durga, embodying immense power and strength. She is known for her ability to destroy evil, darkness, and negativity, and is depicted as fierce and powerful.
She is depicted with a dark complexion, open hair, and a garland of human skulls (Narmund). She rides a donkey and has four hands, with one holding a torch and cleaver, while the other two are in the Abhaya (protection) and Varada (blessing) mudras.
Devotees seek her blessings for protection from harm, overcoming challenges, and gaining spiritual insight. Worshipping Maa Kalaratri is believed to bring immense blessings, particularly the destruction of ignorance, negativity, and fear.
On the seventh day of Navratri, Hindus worship Maa Kalaratri, seeking her protection and blessings.
On the eighth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, symbolizing peace, purity, and spiritual transformation, and is known for her serene beauty and compassionate nature.
Here’s a more detailed look at Maa Mahagauri:
- Symbolism: Maa Mahagauri represents peace, purity, and spiritual transformation.
- Appearance: She is depicted as fair-skinned, wearing white clothes, and riding a bull (Vrisharudha).
- Other Names: She is also known as Shwetambardhara (white-clad) and Shambhavi (bestower of bliss).
- Significance: Her worship is believed to remove impurities and bless devotees with inner strength and clarity.
- Puja: Devotees offer prayers, perform rituals like kanya pujan, hawan, Durga Saptashati Paath, and chant Durga mantras.
- Bhag: Offerings like coconut, sweets, and fruits are common.
- Mantra: “Shwetambara Dharini, Shambhavi, Vrisharudha”.
- Color of the Day: Pink
“9 Mata Rani” refers to the nine forms of the Hindu goddess Durga, collectively known as Navadurga, and are worshipped during the Navratri festival. The nine forms are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidhatri.
Here’s a more detailed look:
The nine forms of Durga are also known as Navadurga, and each form is worshipped on a different day of Navratri.
- Shailaputri: The first form, meaning “daughter of the mountain,” is worshipped on the first day of Navratri.
- Brahmacharini: The second form, representing penance and austerity, is worshipped on the second day.
- Chandraghanta: The third form, known for her radiant beauty, is worshipped on the third day.
- Kushmanda: The fourth form, who is believed to have created the universe, is worshipped on the fourth day.
- Skandamata: The fifth form, who is the mother of Kartikeya, is worshipped on the fifth day.
- Katyayani: The sixth form, who is the daughter of sage Katyayana, is worshipped on the sixth day.
- Kalaratri: The seventh form, known for her dark complexion, is worshipped on the seventh day.
- Mahagauri: The eighth form, who is known for her fair complexion, is worshipped on the eighth day.
- Siddhidhatri: The ninth form, who grants all desires, is worshipped on the ninth day.
Conclusion
Navratri is a festival of devotion, dance, fasting, and celebration, uniting people across India with its vibrant rituals and spiritual significance.
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