India is a country, which is known for its culture and festivals. Navratri is the most spectacular festival in India, honored by the Hindu community. The Navratri has two words Nava means nine, and Ratri means night. It is a nine-day festival in which we worship nine forms of Durga.
There are 4 Navratris in a year, but we celebrated only two - Chaitra and Sharad Navratri. People from different areas celebrate the same festivals with different rituals. This festival acknowledges the winning of good over evil and represents dharma over adharma. In these nine days, each form of Goddess Durga signifies power, beauty, grace, knowledge, strength, auspiciousness, and bravery.
On these nine days, people take a fast and do special worship of Maa Durga at night. The festival of Navratri carries a brief story and message as Maa Parvati took the avatar of Maa Durga to destroy Mahishasura. It gives the message to all women that when anything goes wrong you have to take the avatar of Maa Durga and Maa Kali.
1. Goddess Shailaputri
The first day of Navratri starts with worshiping Devi Shailaputri. The picture defines her as having a crescent moon on her forehead she holds a Trishul in one hand and a lotus in another and rides a bull called Nandi.
The meaning of Shailaputri is the daughter of the mountain (Shaila). She is worshiped by different names called Sati, Parvati, Bhavani, and Hemwati.
What to offer: Bhakts offers pure ghee on the foot of Goddess Durga to be blessed with disease-free life.
Which color to wear: The color orange is devoted to this day as it represents success and enthusiasm.
2. Goddess Brahmacharini
The second day of Navratri is devoted to Devi Brahmacharini. The Goddess walks barefoot with a rudraksh mala in her hand and a kamandalu in her left hand.
The name Brahmacharini represents the women who practice Brahmacharya.
What to offer: Bhakts offer sugar for the longevity of the family members.
Which color to wear: The color white ensures purity, inner peace, and virginity.
3. Goddess Chandraghanta
The third day of Navratri is of Devi Chandraghanta. She is a ten-armed goddess with a half-moon shape on her forehead, which describes her name Chandraghanta. She rides on a tiger and carries Trishul, Gada, a sword, and Kamadalu in her four left hands while her fifth hand is in Varadamudra. She holds a lotus, arrow, Dhanush, and Japa mala in her right fourth hand and keeps her fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra.
What to offer: Bhakts offer kheer as she takes away all the pain.
Which color to wear: The color red is worn to denote passion and fearlessness.
4. Goddess Kushmanda
The fourth day of Navratri or Chaturathi is devoted to Goddess Kushmanda. She is credited to create the world with her divine smile. The name Kushmanda derives from three words Ku (little), Ushma (energy), and Amanda (egg) means creator of the universe.
She is represented by eight hands also known as Ashtabhuja. She rides on a tiger and holds a trident, discus, sword, hook, mace, bow, arrow, two jars of honey, and blood, and one hand is in Abhya mudra position.
What to offer: Devotes offer malpua to improve their decision-making ability.
Which color to wear: The color royal blue is worn on this day and represents elegance.
5. Goddess Skandamata
Devi Skandamata (mother of the war God Skanda) is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri, known as Panchami. She is a four-armed devi who carries a lotus in two of her arms, and on the other arm carries Skanda and one is in Abhaya Mudra position.
In pictures, we mainly see her sitting on a lotus flower.
What to offer: Banaras is offered to Goddess Skandamata.
Which color to wear: Yellow color is worn as it keeps you cheerful.
6. Goddess Katyayani
The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Devi Katyayani, also known as Mahalaxmi, and is a form of Shakti. Her character includes anger and victory over evils. All those who worship her with a pure heart are blessed with Lakshmi.
She sits on the lion and has four armed with sword and lotus in her left hand and right hand in Abhaya Mudra and Varadamudra position.
What to offer: Devotees offer honey as a symbol of growth.
Which color to wear: The color green is worn as it associates with a new beginning.
7. Goddess Kaalratri
On the seventh day of Navratri, we worship Goddess Kaalratri. Maa kali, with a dark complex, a beautiful soul, and a fearless posture. She is also known as the Goddess of death for her red eye, red blood tongue, and sobre in her hand.
She has four hands and carries a sword, a trident, and two arms in Abhaya Mudra and Vardara Mudra, sitting on a donkey.
What to offer: Jaggery (gud) is offered as prasad for relief from obstacles.
Which color to wear: Grey color is worn on this day as it balances the energy.
8. Goddess Mahagauri
On the eighth day of Navratri or Durga Asthami, we worship Goddess Mahagauri, regarded as the most graceful form of Navaforms. She is a beauty of purity, also known as the Goddess of purity, cleanliness, and peace.
She has four arms her right hand is in the pose of alleviating suffering and a trident in the lower right hand. Her upper left arm holds a tambourine and the lower left provides blessings.
What to offer: Coconut is offered by devotees.
Which color to wear: Purple color is worn, which represents power, and nobility.
9. Goddess Siddhidatri
The ninth day of Navratri or Ram Navami is of Goddess Siddhidatri as she possesses natural healing power and is a four-armed devi sitting on a lotus, holding a lotus, mace, discuss, and a book.
What to offer: Devotees offer sesame seeds to manifest safety and security.
Which color to wear: Wear a peacock green color and manifest grace integrity.