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The grand festival of Navratri is considered to be a noble Hindu festival that is held in honor of the divine feminine. The navratri occurs over 9 days during the month of Ashvin, or Ashvina, and is followed by Dussehra. Navratri is celebrated differently in various regions of India. For many people, it is a time of religious reflection and fasting, while for others it is a time for dancing and feasting. The famous Garba dance is performed in various parts of India on the occasion of navratri. The festival has a beautiful mold of connecting states of India with prosperity and joy. The patterns of celebrating Navratri change from state to state. Among some followers of the goddess Durga, who are particularly predominant in Bengal and Assam, the festival is known as or coincides with the Durga Puja. Special images of Durga commemorating her victory over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura are worshipped daily, and on the 10th day (Dussehra) they are taken in jubilant processions to nearby rivers or reservoirs for immersion in water.
DAY 1
Pratipada, the first day of the Navratri celebration, honors Goddess Shailputri, who is described in the scriptures as the daughter of mountains. She descends on a bull (nandi) while holding a lotus and trident. Additionally, she has a moon on her forehead. It is advised to worship her with fresh jasmine flowers, dhoop, agarbatti, and kumkum because she adores those flowers. She is regarded as the source of success.
DAY 2
The Goddess of Penance, Mata Brahmacharini, is honored on the second day of the festival of Navratri. She is dressed in a white saree and has a rosary and a kamandal in her left hand. It is claimed that Brahmacharini Mata bestows wisdom and understanding upon her devotees. The deity known as Brahmcharini Maa performs tapasya and offer strength. Devi Yogni and Devi Tapasvini are additional names for the goddess Brahmarini.
DAY 3
The third day is dedicated to Devi Chandraghanta, who establishes justice and discipline in this world. Goddess Chandraghanta is the married form of Maa Parvati. After marrying Lord Shiva, the Goddess started adorning her forehead with half moon (Chandra). That is why, it is denoted as Chandraghanta. Goddess Parvati is known as Maa Chandraghanta.
Goddess Chandraghanta rides on a lion who is the symbol of dharma and the color of her body is bright golden. She has ten hands, three eyes and she holds many weapons in one hand such as Trishul, Gada, sword, arrow-bow, and kamdal, lotus flower, and japa mala in another hand. There is a moon placed on her forehead in the shape of a bell and Her fifth left hand is in the form of Varada Mudra.
DAY 4
The fourth day is dedicated to Devi Kushmanda. The name of the Goddess Kushmanda is derived from Sanskrit in which Ku means – little, Ushma means energy and Anda refers to an egg. According to Hindu scriptures, when Lord Vishnu was creating this universe, there was only darkness at first. Then, when she smiled leading towards a formless light spread throughout the entire universe, illuminating galaxies and planets. She then took the form of a goddess, who is known as Maa Kushmanda. She started from scratch, from nothing, because life cannot exist without light.
DAY 5
On the fifth day of Navratri, goddess Skanda Mata is worshipped as the mother of Lord Kartikeya. You can see this form of goddess Durga riding a lion, carrying a lotus flower, and also baby Kartikeya in different hands. Skanda Mata denotes motherly love and devotees worship her for wisdom, prosperity, and power. White is the auspicious color to wear on this day. A prasad of bananas or dishes made of bananas are offered to Skanda Mata on this day.
DAY 6
Maa Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of the Navratri festival. The name Katyayani refers to the fact that, according to holy sources, Goddess Parvati was born at the residence of the sage Katya. According to ancient texts, Maa Katyayani was developed to combine the abilities of the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in order to defeat the demon Mahishasur. Mahishasura eventually learned about Katyayani from Chandha and Mundha, who later told him about her alluring beauty. Following that, Mahishasur issued her a marriage proposal via Dundubhi. After accepting the proposal, Goddess Katyayani grinned and informed Dundubhi that, in accordance with family tradition, Mahishasur must vanquish her in a duel before they may get married.
DAY 7
The seventh day is dedicated to Maa Kalaratri. She is fierce in her form, has a dark complexion, and rides a donkey. She also wears a garland of skulls around her neck and has four hands. Her right hand is in Abhaya (protecting) and Varada (blessing) Mudra, and she holds a thunderbolt and a scimitar in two of her hands. Kaalratri in Sanskrit is made up of two words – Kaal means death or time and ratri means night or darkness. Thus, Kaalratri is the one who brings the death of darkness.
DAY 8
One of the most significant days of the Navratri celebration is Ashtami or the eighth day of Chaitra Navratri. Since each day of the festival is linked with a different Goddess, the eighth day of Navaratri is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Mahagauri is among the most lovely and brilliant Goddesses. Just for this, she was given the name Gauri.
DAY 9
Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Maa Durga, and her name means the one who gives us power. On Maha Navami, followers worship her in the belief that she bestows enlightenment and removes their ignorance. She also grants them all kinds of siddhis, and even Lord Shiva receives all siddhis through the favor of Goddess Siddhidatri. She also supervises the planet Ketu, giving it direction and vitality.
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