The time when people neglect all the negativities and dissatisfaction is the time of festivities. We all try to make a move to catch up again with the estranged connections because we know that this is when everyone would love to start afresh. We all agree on how eagerly we wait for October as the fiesta begins with this month. And what could be better than the beginning and building up the joyful moments of your life with the name of the goddess you worship.  

We, as Indians, have a soul connection with the Navratri. During this festival, we all illuminate our hearts with the Baati of hope and worship our goddess to collect all the positivity in our lives as a blessing. The duration of 9 days where we dedicate ourselves to the almighty and ask for the protection of our family is what we all do. But, do we all know why Navratri is celebrated? What happens in the 9 days of Navratri? Or do we know about the goddess we are worshipping? And most significantly, the purpose of honoring the different goddesses and the 9 days colors in Navratri? 

This blog will give you a detailed information about Navratri. So, let’s begin: 

What is Navratri? 

image credits- oyorooms

Before starting with, why is Navratri celebrated?, let’s first discuss what Navratri is? 

Navratri is a term coined by merging two words borrowed from Sanskrit, where Nav means Nine, and Ratri means Night. Together it means the nine nights. Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated for nine nights, and during this period, people worship nine forms of Hindu Goddesses. Navratri falls four times a year, but only two are celebrated widely. One is celebrated in the month of March-April, which is also known as Chaitra Navratri as it falls in the Spring Season, and the other one is celebrated in the month of October-November, which is also known as Sharad Navratri as it falls in the Autumn Season. Also, the Sharad Navratri is known as Maha Navratri, and Chaitra Navratri is known as Vasant Navratri.  

History of Navratri and why is it called Maha Navratri? 

image credits- indiatoday

The Navratri is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. So, let’s see what the “Evil” was and how “Good” attained success. 

There is a story behind the celebration of the Navratri festival that says- 

Lord Brahma (The Creator of the Trimurti) granted eternal life to the Demon Mahishasur on the condition that a woman could only defeat him. But he knew that no woman carries the potential to kill him, and he started disrupting the three realms- Earth, Heaven, and Hell.  

Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva combined their forces and created Goddess Durga to stop him from committing the wicked Karma.  

This terrifying battle lasted for 15 days as the Demon Mahishasur was troubling the Goddess Durga by changing the shapes and forms. And during these days, he mutated himself into a form of buffalo, and the Goddess slew him with her Trishul.  

The Goddess Durga is worshiped in 3 different forms- Maha Saraswati, Mahalakshmi, and Mahakali and three more forms each.  

And this is why the Navratri is called Maha Navratri. The Navratri Story inspire us to celebrate the nine days of Navratri by fasting. In Hinduism, Navratri fasting is considered as the best way to show respect to the God you worship. People think in a way that fasting and worshipping for the whole day will make their God/Goddess happy.  

9 Goddesses that are worshipped in the Navratri

 image credits- indianfestival101

People generally from other religions and even from Hinduism are unaware of the nine goddesses that are worshiped during these nine days.  

So, let’s see who are the nine forms of goddesses and why they are worshipped.  

• Goddess Shail Putri: On the first day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Shail Putri, daughter of the king of mountains. Honoring the goddess on the first day brings good luck and fortune to the individual.  
• Goddess Brahmcharini: On the second day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Brahmcharini, the second avatar of Goddess Durga. She is the symbol of purity that also signifies bachelorhood.  
• Goddess Chandraghanta: On the third day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Chandraghanta to attain peace, tranquility, and prosperity in our lives.  
• Goddess Kushmanda: On the fourth day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Kushmanda. Also, She is the 4th avatar of Goddess Durga and is considered the originator of the Universe. She is believed to improve health, strength, and wealth.  
• Goddess Skandmata: On the fifth day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Skandmata. She represents a mother who can fight in any way and save her child from anyone. She is believed to purify the heart of every devotee.  
• Goddess Katyayani: On the sixth day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Katyayani. She is the symbol of Cheerfulness and joy and is believed to be a destroyer of evil.  
• Goddess Kal Ratri: On the seventh day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Kal Ratri. She is the Goddess who killed a Demon, Madhu Kaitabh. She is the fiercest form of Goddess Parvati. She is believed to bring divine blessings to her devotees.  
• Goddess Maha Gauri: On the eighth day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Maha Gauri. She is the symbol of intelligence, peace, prosperity, and calm.  
• Goddess Siddhi Datri: On the ninth day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Siddhi Datri. She is the healer and is believed to heal her devotees.  

These were nine goddesses who are worshipped during the nine days of Navratri.  

Nine days colors of Navratri 2021 

image credits- outlookindia

Nine colors have to be worn on the occasion of Navratri. So, let’s see what these colors of Navratri 2021 are and the purpose behind wearing them.  

• Navratri Day 1 (October 7, 2021, Thursday): Yellow- The color represents brightness and happiness, and wearing yellow on the first day brings joy and shine to your life.  
• Navratri Day 2 (October 8, 2021, Friday): Green- The color signifies the new beginning, growth, and positive energy. The green color on the second day of Navratri will attract positivity to your doorsteps.  
• Navratri Day 3 (October 9, 2021, Saturday): Grey- The color signifies the determination to destroy evil, and wearing grey will ruin all the evilness inside you during Navratri.  
• Navratri Day 4 (October 10, 2021, Sunday): Orange– The color signifies knowledge and tranquility. The fourth day of Navratri, and orange color brings joy to your life. 
• Navratri Day 5 (October 11, 2021, Monday): White– The color signifies purity, peace, and meditation. On the occasion of Navratri, wearing white will bring peace to your heart and mind.  
• Navratri Day 6 (October 12, 2021, Tuesday): Red– The color is all about the beauty and fearlessness that will help you destroy all the fear inside you. 
• Navratri day 7 (October 13, 2021, Wednesday): Royal Blue– The color signifies immense power and divine energy to give you the strength to fight for yourself.  
• Navratri day 8 (October 14, 2021, Thursday): Pink– The color represents hope, upliftment, and self-refinement. Wearing pink on the eighth day of Navratri will give you hopes and strength to clean your soul.  
• Navratri Day 9 (October 15, 2021, Friday): Purple– The color signifies ambition and power, which will help you follow your dreams and ability to fulfill them.  

These were nine colors that will make your life happy and beautiful this Navratri Season.  

Cities that are popular for celebrating Navratri 

image credits- atlastravel

Navratri is a festival celebrated all over the country, but some cities celebrate Navratri as a prominent festival. And these cities are- Gujarat, Mumbai, and Bengal. As the cities have their customs, they celebrate Navratri with their traditions and cultural form.  

For Gujaratis, Navratri is all about playing Garba. People from different communities come together to celebrate Navratri, and Mumbai is the city that plays Garba too. Also, they showcase their love for the Goddess by playing Bhajans on a loudspeaker in different societies. Whereas, In Bengal, they organize a huge Pandal for goddess and perform Durga Puja. Durga Puja of Bengal is widely famous because they set up everything according to their Bengali culture. Also, they organize the largest Pandal of Goddess Durga in the World.  

This was everything you needed to know about the Navratri. Also, we would love to know how you celebrate Navratri in your City?