October is regarded as the beginning of festive month. Navaratri which one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated by the Hindu community starts the festivity. The word ‘Nava’ means ‘nine’ and ‘Ratri’ means ‘night’. The festival is celebrated for nine days. Faithfuls observe fasting and stay away from non-vegetarian foods during these nine days. They even avoid salt and consume ‘sendha namak’ (rock salt). People offer special puja (prayers) to Goddess Sherowali Mata reincarnation of Goddess Durga.

This year Navaratri begin from September 26 and would end on October 4.

There are rituals from prayers to mantra and even colours of clothes to be worn these nine days. Let’s take a glance at the significance of the nine days:

Day 1-  Shailaputri is worshiped on the first day of Navratri. In this form, Devi Parvati is revered as the daughter of Himalaya Raja. The colour of this day is white.

Day 2- Brahmacharini is the form of Parvati in which she attains severe penance to have Lord Shiva as her consort. Brahma means divine consciousness, and achar means behaviour. The colour for this day is red. 

Day 3 –  Chandraghata is the unique form that Devi Parvati, at her marriage, withhold Shiva. The colour for this day is royal blue. 

Day 4 – Kushmanda, means a pumpkin. Ku means little, Sushma means energy, and anda refers to an egg. The colour for this day is yellow. 

Day 5 – Skanda Mata the Mother of Skanda. She represents motherly affection. The colour for this day is green.

Day 6 – Katyayani. It is a form of Durga that eliminates the demonic forces in the universe. She is the one who killed  Mahishasura. The colour for this day is grey. 

Day 8 – Devi Mahagauri is that which is beautiful and gives a purpose and freedom in life. She represents the beauty of nature and the energy that liberates us. The colour for this day is peacock green.

 

Day 9 – Devi Siddhidatri. Siddhi means perfection, hence also called the goddess of perfection. She sings us peace in our life. The colour for this day is pink.

Each day has its own significance.