Navratri is a 9-day long, favorable festival famous all over India for different reasons every year. It is culturally dedicated to Goddess Durga, an exemplar of Shakti or the cosmic energy. Among all the five Navratris (Chaitra, Aashadh, Ashwin, Paush and Magh) that fall in a year, Sharad Navratri is the most essential one. Apart from that, Ashadha, Magh, & Paush are known as Gupt Navratris.

Sharad Navratri is experimental in the month of September/ October. The Navratri festival is extensively commemorated throughout the country with full prompting. During this 9 day festival of Navratri, the 9 expression of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Each expression of Goddess Durga exemplifies a distinctive virtue and is believed to accord worldly and spiritual fulfillment.

Cultural Traditions and importance

Sharad Navratri commences on the first and ends on the 10th day of the bright half of the lunar month, Ashwin. Sharad Navratri festival is dedicated to Maa Durga and celebrated with marvelous prompting and enthusiasm, especially in Northern and Eastern India. The 10th day is often referred to as ‘VIJAYADASHAMI’ or ‘DUSSEHRA’. Sharad Navratri is celebrated in the Ashwin month or the Sharad month which indicates the commencement of winters.

During the festival of Navratri, people from cities and villages come together to do Navratri Pooja in their house or in shrines epitomize different manifestation of Goddess Durga. During this 9 day festival chanting of mantras, renditions of bhajans or pious songs accompany the Navratri Pooja rituals for nine continuously days.

Mythological importance

As per the Documentary details, Lord Ram worshipped the Divine power in order to defeat Devil King Ravan and kill him. He proclaimed the message of Good Triumphing over Evil.

Have a look at the 9 Days of Sharad Navratri and Rituals to be conducted:

Day First - Maa Shailputri Puja - The first form of Maa Durga, Maa Shailputri represent the planet Moon. Worshipping her can help to remove any bad effects or omens.

Day Second - Maa Brahmacharini Puja - Goddess Brahmacharini governs the planet Mars in astrology. Worshiping her can eliminate all the bad impact of Mars.

Day Third - Maa Chandraghanta Puja - Maa Chandraghanta rule the planet Venus and offers courage and fearlessness. Worshiping her can eliminate all the ill effects of Venus.

Day Forth - Maa Kushmanda Puja - Maa Kushmanda represent the planet Sun and eliminate any bad-effects in the nearby future.

Day Fifth - Maa Skandamata Puja - Maa Skand Mata represent the planet Mercury and is very merciful towards her devotee. Worshipping her kills the ill effects of Mercury.

Day Sixth - Maa Katyayani Puja - Jupiter planet is controlled by Maa Katyayani. She provides courage and prowess to her worshippers. Worshipping her helps in pacifying the bad-effects of this planet.

Day Seventh - Maa Kaalratri Puja - Maa Kaalratri controls the Saturn planet and symbolizes velour.

Day Eight - Maa Mahagauri Puja - Planet Rahu is ruled by the Mahagauri Maa. Worshipping her helps in appeasing the ill impacts of this planet.

Day Ninth - Maa Siddhidatri Puja - Maa Siddhidatri dominates the planet Ketu and offers knowledge and wisdom. Hence, all the ill impact of Ketu can be pacified by worship her.

Significance of Colors in Navratri

Apart from this, each Navratri is related to a particular color. The Navratri Color is listed below. It is assumed that using these colors during Navratri festival will fetch you good fortune.

1. Pratipada - Yellow
2. Dwitiya - Green
3. Tritiya - Grey
4. Chaturthi - Orange
5. Panchami - White
6. Shashthi - Red
7. Saptami- Royal Blue
8. Ashtami - Pink
9. Navami - Purple