Navaratri…!!!

“Nava” means 9 and “ratri” means nights. These are the 9 nights & 10 days where 9 avatars of the Goddess Durga/Amba are celebrated. The tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or “Dussehra”

Goddess Durga/Amba is a symbol of Power (Shakti). The nine manifestations/avatars of Shakti are worshipped as “Nava-Durga”. Navaratri is also a period of introspection and purification, and is traditionally an auspicious and religious time for starting new ventures.

On the auspicious occasion of this Navaratri, we decided to share the color of the day & discuss the avatar each day is dedicated to!
Navaratri 1^st Day (Oct 1 & 2)

Pratipada 

Color of the Day – Orange

The day of Parvati/Sati Bhawani — The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

Navaratri 2^nd Day (Oct 3)

Dwitiya

Color of the Day – White

The day of Bharmachirini — She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left

Navaratri 3^rd Day (Oct 4)

Tritiya

Color of the Day – Red

The day of ‘Chandraghanta’ — She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands

Navaratri 4^th Day (Oct 5)

Chaturthi

Color of the Day – Royal Blue

The day of Kushmanda — She is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was nothing more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often depicted as having eight or ten hands and she rides a lion.

Navaratri 5^th Day (Oct 6)

Panchami 

Color of the Day – Yellow

The day of Skandamata – She is the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, (chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons). She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form.

 Navaratri 6^th Day (Oct 7)

Sashti 

Color of the Day – Green

The day of  Katayani– A great sage called Kata underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request & Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga

Navaratri 7^th Day (Oct 8)

Saptami 

Color of the Day – Grey

The day of Maa Kaalratri — She has a dark complexion & dishevelled hair and her appearance itseld invokes fear. She is believed to be the destroyer of all demon entities, ghosts, spirits and negative energies, who flee upon knowing of her arrival.

Navaratri 8^th Day (Oct 9)

Ashtami

Color of the Day – Purple

The Day of Maha Gauri — Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas her color had transformed from white to black. However, Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri (extremely fair)

Navaratri 9^th Day (Oct 10)

Navami

Color of the Day – Peacock Green

The Day of Siddhidatri – She is the Goddess of supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. Her ride is a lion!

10^th Day (Oct 11)

Dussera/Vijayadashami

The day marks the victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The goddess fought with evil for ten days and nine nights.

This celebration is actually the celebration of womanhood and all its facets. Women are an embodiment of all these forms, and have the power of each of these goddesses within them. Women are the creator and the nurturer, who have the power to take down the wrong. Cheers to women and this celebration!!!