Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. All Hindu Goddesses, as per the brief, are different manifestations of one Goddess, who is Durga (Shakthi). Devi Durga or Shakthi symbolises the omnipresent energy of the Universe and Navratri festivals are occasions dedicated to worshipping this Universal energy. The festival lasts for 9 nights and then days; hence the name 'Navratri' which in Sanskrit means nine nights ('nava' means nine and 'ratri' means night). Navratri 2023 in India will begin on Sunday, 15th October, and end on Tuesday, 24th October.

During this occasion, the nine different manifestations of Devi Shakthi are worshipped. They are Goddess Shailputri (Day 1), Goddess Brahmacharini (Day 2), Goddess Chandraghanta (Day 3), Goddess Kushmanda (Day 4), Goddess Skandamata (Day 5), Goddess Katyayani (Day 6), Goddess Kaalratri (Day 7), Goddess Mahagauri (Day 8), and Goddess Siddhidatri (Day 9).

The festival of Navratri falls four times a year - Vasanta Navratri in the March-April period, Ashad Navratri in June-July, Sharad Navratri in September- October, and Magha Navratri in the January-February period. Out of these, the Sharad Navratri observed at the beginning of autumn on the onset of winter is considered the most significant one and is popularly known as Navratri. Vijayadashami and Dussehra - the festivals dedicated to Devi Durga coincide with the tenth day of Sharad Navratri.

The legend behind Sharad Navaratri

The common legend associated with this festival is the Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasur. It is believed that during this time Goddess Durga defeated the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasur signifying evil and ego. Another legend is that of Lord Ram's victory over Ravan. It is also believed that Lord Ram killed Ravan on Dashami - the tenth day.

The Astrology of Navratri

The Navratri 2023 festival dates are determined according to the Hindu lunar calendar. All four Navaratri festival fall on the waxing phase (Shuklapaksha) of the luni-solar months, starting on Pratipada (the first lunar day) and ending on Navami (the ninth lunar day).

Sharad Navratri - The most important of the four Navratri is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashvin. It falls near the Autumn equinox (September-October) hence the name Sharad or Sharada which means Autumn. Sharad Navratri or Maha Navratri marks the beginning of winter and it coincides with the autumn harvests.

Vasanta Navratri in the month of Chaitra (March-April) marks the beginning of the new year in the Hindu lunar calendar. The word Vasanta means spring and it falls near the Spring Equinox. It is the second most significant Navratri and it coincides with the spring harvests.

Ashad Navratri is observed in the month of Ashada (June-July) and it signifies the beginning of the monsoon season.

Magha Navratri is observed in the month of Magha (January-February), during the winter season. The fifth day of this festival is often independently observed as Vasant Panchami. All these Navratri festivals are 9-day long observances with each day dedicated to a distinct form of Durga. The beginning of autumn and the beginning of spring are considered more sacred for worshipping the Mother Durga or Shakthi - the omnipresent energy of the Universe.

The 9 forms of Durga

The nine days of Navratri 2023 are dedicated to nine distinct forms of Goddess Durga. Though this notion is common to all Hindus, the significance of the days and the observations followed vary with different regions in India, leaving much to the creativity and preferences of the regional cultures. According to some scholars, the nine manifestations of Durga to be worshipped are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. While some others consider it to be Bhadrakali (the auspicious and fortunate), Amba or Jagadamba (Mother of the Universe), Annapoorna (the giver of food), Sarvamangala (the giver of joy all around), Bhairavi (the terrifying), Chandika (the violent), Lalita (the beautiful), Bhavani (the giver of life), and Mookambika (the one who listens).

Maha Navratri 2023 - Date, Significances and Observations

The 2023 Maha Navratri festival begins on the 15th of October - Shuklapaksha Pratipada (1st lunar day) of Ashvin month. The festival culminates with the Mahanavami (9th lunar day) celebrations on 23rd October and Vijayadashami/Dussehra (10th lunar day) celebrations on 24th October.

What are the colours of Navratri 2023?

Day 1 of Navratri 2023 : Colour - Orange
Day 2 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – White
Day 3 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – Red
Day 4 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – Royal Blue
Day 5 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – Yellow
Day 6 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – Green
Day 7 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – Grey
Day 8 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – Peacock Green
Day 9 of Navratri 2023 : Colour – Pink

Day 1: Pratipada (15th October 2023)

The deity of the day is Shailaputri. She is the daughter of Himavan and the name means daughter of mountains. She is also known as Parvati or Hemavati and is the manifestation of the power behind the Trimurtia. She is depicted as riding a bull and carrying a trident and a lotus. The colour to wear on this day is Orange.

The day marks the beginning of the Navratri celebrations. Some devotees start observing the Navratri fasting on this day. In the regions of Maharashtra, Goa, and Punjab, devotees sow varieties of seeds/food grains in a pot. They water it for the next nine days and let it sprout. This practice indicating fertility is known as Ghatasthapana or Khetri. In Tamil Nadu, devotees set the Kolu - a display of dolls and idols on a step-like arrangement. The Kolu will be dismantled only on Vijayadashami day.

Day 2: Dwitiya (16th October 2023)

The deity is Brahmacharini, which means one who practices devout asceticism. She is the way to moksha and is depicted as barefooted and carrying a rosary and a water utensil. The colour to wear on this day is white.

Day 3: Tritiya (17th October 2023)

The deity is Chandraghanta who gives the strength to fight all evils. She is known as having a golden complexion with 3 eyes and 10 hands. She rides on a lion or tiger and carries weapons in her hands. She wears a Chandra (crescent) on her forehead and hence the name Chandraghanta. The colour to wear on this day is Red.

Day 4: Chaturthi (18th October 2023)

The deity is Kushmanda - the Goddess of the cosmic egg and the creator of the Universe. She is depicted as having 8 hands holding weapons, rosary, lotus, etc., and riding a tiger or a lion. The colour to wear is Royal Blue.

Day 5: Panchami (19th October 2023)

The deity is Skandamata. She is the mother of the war god Skanda or Kartikeya hence the name Skandamata ('mata' means mother). She is depicted as having four arms and three eyes. She holds the infant Skanda in her lap and rides on a ferocious lion. The colour to wear is yellow.

Day 6: Shashti (20th October 2023)

The deity is Katyayani. She is the warrior Goddess and is one of the most violent forms of Devi. She rides on a lion and has four hands. The name derives as she was born to Rishi Katya. The colour to wear is Green. The famous Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal begin on this day.

Day 7: Saptami (21st October 2023)

The deity is Kaalratri - a fierce form of Durga incarnated to kill demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. She is depicted as having a dark complexion, disheveled hair, and burning-bright eyes. She rides on a donkey and carries a blood-drenched weapon. The colour to wear is grey.

Day 8: Durgashtami 2023 (22nd October 2023)

The deity is Mahagauri - the Goddess who is white in colour and is very beautiful. She is depicted as riding on a bull. Her upper right arm is in the form of allaying fear and the lower right arm holds a trident. She holds a damaru (tambourine) in her upper left arm and the lower left arm is in the form of a blessing. The colour to wear is peacock green.

This day marks the beginning of Saraswati Puja in some regions and is also one of the most auspicious days of the Durga Puja festival. In Punjab regions, there is a tradition of honouring kanyakas, or young girls on this day. The devotees observing the fast from the first day (Pratipada) will break it by inviting young girls to their homes. These girls are called Kanyak Devis and are treated like the Goddess herself. The devotees ceremoniously wash their feet, worship them, offer traditional delicacies, bangles, etc., and give a token amount of money called Shagun.

Day 9: Mahanavami 2023 (23rd October 2023)

The deity is Siddhidatri. The word Siddhi means supernatural power and Datri means giver. She possesses and bestows all Siddhis. She is depicted as seated on a lotus, holding a lotus, mace, Sudarshana Chakra, and conch shell on her four arms. It is believed that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all 8 siddhis - Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakambya, Ishitva, and Vashitva. The colour to wear is Pink.

Mahanavami is the most important day of the 9-day Navratri festival. In many regions viz. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, this day is noted for the worship of Goddess Saraswati and Ayudha Puja. Saraswati is the form of Devi symbolizing knowledge. It is a common practice on this day to worship Saraswati at home and in temples as an act of honouring her for the knowledge she bestows.

Students place their books and other study materials in front of a picture or idol of the Goddess and conduct pujas in the morning and evening. Mahanavami is also an occasion to honour the tools, and instruments with which one does his work and hence the name Ayudha Puja (Ayudham means tool or weapon). It is common in these regions to clean the tools, vehicles, and other work equipment and to worship them with a picture or idol of the Goddess. The industries and mechanical shops conduct Ayudha Puja with great passion and devotion.

Day 10: Vijayadashami 2023 (24th October 2023)

The festival of Mahanavami culminates with the celebrations on the 10th day (Dashami). This is a day of intense celebrations. In Karnataka, Maharashtra, and some northern states, this day is celebrated as Dussehra. The Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal also culminate on this day.

The day of Vijayadashami is very important in the regions where Saraswati Puja or Ayudha Puja is observed. It is considered the most auspicious day for beginning learning or initiating new ventures. The books, tools, and equipment kept for worship are taken back on this day after a ceremonial puja.

The most remarkable observation of Vijayadashami is the Vidyarambham ceremony of initiating children into the world of knowledge. In Kerala, millions of children are initiated into learning every year on this auspicious day. The Vidyarambham events are conducted at homes and temples where a priest or an elderly person initiates the child to write 'Om Harisree Ganapathaye Namah' on a plate filled with rice. This marks the ceremonial beginning of the child's education, with the blessings of the Goddess.

Different Customs, One Purpose

The 9 days of the Navratri festival are dedicated to 9 different appellations of Goddess Shakthi with each day having its own distinct observations. Yet, if we travel across India, we will find variations in festival names, observances, and the forms of Goddess worshipped.

In some regions as in parts of Maharashtra and Telangana, the Tridevis - Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati are worshipped. Goddess Durga or Kali symbolizing the destruction of evil is worshipped in the first 2 or 3 days. Goddess Lakshmi who bestows wealth and affluence is worshipped on the next 3 days and Goddess Saraswati who bestows knowledge is worshipped on the last 3 or 4 days.

In places where Dussehra is celebrated, the observations are meant to commemorate the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. Also, in the regions where it is harvest time, the Navratri observations are related to activities like cropping and sowing; while in some other regions, the focus is on ceremonies like Vidyarambham and Ayudha Puja.

Thus, we can find significant variations in Navratri celebrations. Yet, the core concept behind these festivals remains the same throughout which is the worship of various manifestations of the divine feminity or supreme Goddess.

The Hindu concept of Durga or Shakthi itself is a manifestation of the omnipresent energy of the Universe. We give much importance to the mother aspect of God - the energy behind creation, preservation, and destruction. The Universe of the world we live in has the qualities of a mother. It sets the celestial bodies in motion, creates day & night, and brings about periodic changes in climate, maintaining a perfect abode for preserving life.

Our ancestors have chosen this Navratri occasion as a sacred opportunity to worship the Mother Goddess or the divine energy. Also, our worship of various aspects of this universal energy agrees with the scientific fact that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed.