Navaratri – An Overview
Navaratri is a grand festival of 9 nights – 'Nava Ratri'- celebrated to mark the resounding victory of good, represented by the Divine energies, over evil, denoted by the Demonic forces. While these celebrations take place nationwide with much religious fervor and enthusiasm, different regions dedicate the festivities to different Divinities, with legends to support the respective narratives.
The festive nights of Navaratri usually fall in the month of Ashwin and the Tamil Month of Purattasi, which correspond to the period September-October. The Day following these 9 Nights is observed as Vijaya Dashami, the 10th Day of Ultimate Triumph.
Varied Observances
Though the common theme of Navaratri is virtue annihilating vice, regional peculiarities abound in its observance. The Eastern region that includes the state of West Bengal, where perhaps the grandest celebration takes place, observes it as Durga Pooja, dedicating it to Goddess Durga. The South, too, celebrates the festival in honor of the Goddess, generally earmarking 3 Days each to the Supreme Goddesses Durga (Parvati), Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The West, which includes the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, worships the Goddess forms during this time but also celebrates with grand traditional dances, commemorating Raas Leela, the exquisite dance that legends claim Lord Krishna performed along with Gopis, the female cowherds.
But in almost the entire Northern Region that includes the Capital Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, it is Ram Leela during the Navaratri period, dedicated to Lord Rama, the celebrated Avatar of Vishnu, when they enact episodes from epic Ramayana.
While people install and worship images of Durga in makeshift Pandals during Navaratri and immerse them with reverence on Vijaya Dashami in the Eastern region, massive effigies of demons Ravana, his brother, and son are set on fire on Vijaya Dashami to mark their slaying by Rama and his army, signifying the victory of good over the wicked.
In the South, the celebrations include organizing 'Golu,' an attractive display of dolls at homes, accompanied by singing, dancing, and dressing up children as Divinities and legendary characters.
Navaratri 2023- Dates, Days and Thithis
Navaratri starts from the Day following Mahalaya Amavasya, the New Moon Day held highly Sacred for ancestral worship. In the current Year, 2023, Mahalaya Amavasya falls on October 14, so Navarati is observed from October 15 to October 23, followed by Vijaya Dashami on October 24.
The first Day of the 9-Day Navaratri festival is Sunday, October 15, 2023, corresponding to the Thithi or the lunar Day of Pratipada (Prathamai) in the bright fortnight or waxing phase of the Moon. The tradition of Navaratri worship dedicates this occasion to the Goddess aspect of Shailaputri, the Daughter of the Himalayas.
October 16 is the second Navaratri Day of Monday that falls on Dwitiya Thithi, which reveres Brahmacharini, the Goddess aspect of penance and austerity.
Tuesday, the Tritiya Thithi of October 17, is the third Day of Navaratri, which honors Chandraghanta, the Goddess form for peace and serenity.
October 18, Chaturthi Thithi Wednesday, is the fourth Navaratri Day dedicated to Kushmanda, the aspect of the Goddess that created the universe.
The fifth Navaratri Day of October 19, Panchami Thithi Thursday, salutes Skanda Mata, the Divine Mother of Skanda, Karthikeya, or Muruga.
Friday, October 20, Shasti Thithi, is the sixth Day of Navaratri, which venerates Katyayani, the mighty warrior Goddess.
Saptami Thithi of October 21 is Saturday, the seventh Navaratri Day, meant for praying to the fierce and protective Durga aspect, Goddess Kalaratri.
The eighth Day of Navaratri is Ashtami Thithi, October 22, Sunday, when devotees commemorate Goddess Mahagauri, who symbolizes beauty and grace.
The high point of the Navaratri Celebrations is the ninth, final Day of Navami Thithi, falling on October 23, 2023, Monday. Siddhidatri, the one who bestows knowledge and enlightenment, is the Goddess aspect that people venerate at the culmination of the 9-Day festival.
Colors for Navaratri Days
Colors can enliven the atmosphere, brighten our outlook, and ring in the festive spirit. They also carry profound spiritual meaning and can impact us psychologically. Wearing the color that resonates with the Divine energy of the Goddess of that particular Navaratri Day can help devotees align with her attributes and invoke her grace for their well-being.
Here are the colors for the 9 Navaratri Days/nights, along with their significance:
The color for Day 1 of Navaratri, October 15, 2023, is Orange, which represents energy, warmth and happiness. Wearing orange-color clothes on this occasion can help enhance devotion for the Goddess and enthusiasm and joy.
White, which denotes purity and celibacy, is the color for Navaratri Day 2, October 16, 2023. By clothing themselves in white, the devotees can feel serenity, peace, and an atmosphere conducive to meditating on the Goddess.
Red stands for passion and valor, which can instill courage and improve devotees' confidence. And that is the color for Navaratri Day 3, October 17, 2023, wearing which the devotees may be able to surmount challenges and distress and mitigate the effects of their sins.
October 18, 2023, Navaratri Day 4 is the occasion for Royal Blue, the color of prosperity and wealth. Devotees can wear this color on that Day and receive the Goddess' grace for health and peace.
Yellow is a bright color that signifies radiance. Devotees can wear yellow on Day 5 of Navaratri, October 19, 2023, and fill themselves with hope and positivity.
Navaratri Day 6, October 20, 2023, goes well with Green, the symbol of nature, fertility and growth. Green attire on this occasion can earn the Goddess' grace for the devotees and grant them prosperity and peace.
Grey is the color for October 21, 2023, Navaratri Day 7. This subtle color can balance emotions and bring about better understanding when worn on this Navaratri occasion.
Purple represents propriety and abundance. Wearing this color and offering prayers to the Goddess on Navaratri Day 8, October 22, 2023, can bestow devotees with comfort and splendor in life.
A fine mixture of blue and green makes the alluring color of Peacock Green, which has a unique appeal. Dressing in this color for Navaratri worship on the last Day of October 23, 2023, can give devotees freshness and develop a strong sense of compassion.
Let us remember the features associated with Navaratri, celebrate the festival enthusiastically, and receive Divine blessings in abundance.
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