Navratri 2023: Dates, Colors, and Celebrations

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Navratri is a big Hindu festival celebrated in India for nine days. People worship Goddess Durga in her nine different forms during this time. The name “Navratri” comes from two words in Sanskrit: “Nava,” which means ‘nine,’ and “Ratri,” which means ‘night.’ So, Navratri means “nine nights.” It’s a joyful and important celebration.

When is Navratri in 2023?

Navratri 2023 starts from this Sunday 15, October 2023 and ends on 24, Tuesday 2023.

Why is Navratri celebrated?

Sharad Navratri, which usually happens in September or October, is the special time when people celebrate for nine days. They believe that during these days, the powerful goddess Durga defeats a very bad demon named Mahishasura, showing that good is stronger than evil. After these nine days, there’s a big celebration called Dussehra or Vijayadashami. It’s a day to cheer for the victory of good things over bad things. It’s like when a superhero defeats a villain in a movie.

During Navratri, Hindus celebrate the goddess Durga, who defeated the demon Mahishasura.
Long ago, a powerful god named Lord Brahma gave Mahishasura the gift of immortality, but with a condition – only a woman could defeat him.
Mahishasura believed no woman could overpower him, so he became a menace on Earth, and even the most powerful gods – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva – couldn’t stop him.
To solve this, these three gods created the goddess Durga, empowering her with numerous weapons for the battle.
Durga and Mahishasura clashed for 10 days. He constantly changed forms to confuse her. But when he transformed into a buffalo, Durga finally defeated him.

Navratri 2023 Importance

Navratri is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated to honour Goddess Durga, who symbolises the universal mother and embodies the essence of power, known as Shakti. This nine-night festival involves the worship of various forms of Durga, with each night dedicated to a specific manifestation of the goddess. It’s a time for devotees to come together, engage in rituals, and revel in the spiritual energy of these diverse aspects of the divine mother during this auspicious period.

It spans nine nights, each dedicated to one of the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. These forms represent the feminine energy, and each day holds its own unique significance. Let’s delve into the nine forms of Goddess Durga and their significance during Navratri.

Navadurga: The Nine Divine Manifestations of Goddess Durga

Shailaputri (Day 1): The Daughter of the Mountain

On the first day, Shailaputri, also known as Parvati, is worshipped.
She represents purity and is the daughter of the Himalayan mountains.
Devotees seek strength and courage from her blessings.

Brahmacharini (Day 2): The Devotee of Lord Shiva

The second day is dedicated to Brahmacharini, a form of Parvati who pursued rigorous penance.
She symbolises devotion, virtue, and self-control.
Worshippers seek divine knowledge and wisdom from her.

Chandraghanta (Day 3): The Fierce Warrior Goddess

Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day, known for her fierce appearance.
She represents bravery and courage and is believed to ward off evil.
Her blessings bring peace and prosperity.

Kushmanda (Day 4): The Creator of the Universe

On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda, the creator of the universe, is revered.
She is the source of energy and vitality.
Worshippers seek her blessings for strength and good health.

Skandamata (Day 5): The Mother of Skanda (Kartikeya)

Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya, is honoured on the fifth day.
She symbolises motherly love and protection.
Her blessings are sought for the well-being of children and family.

Katyayani (Day 6): The Warrior Goddess

Katyayani, the warrior form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on the sixth day.
She embodies courage and determination.
Devotees seek her blessings to overcome challenges.

Kalaratri (Day 7): The Fierce and Dark Goddess

On the seventh day, Kalaratri, a fierce and dark form of Durga, is venerated.
She destroys ignorance and evil forces.
Worshippers seek her protection and fearlessness.

Mahagauri (Day 8): The Auspicious and Pure Goddess

Mahagauri, a symbol of purity and serenity, is worshipped on the eighth day.
She grants wisdom and spiritual growth.
Her blessings lead to inner peace and harmony.

Siddhidatri (Day 9): The Granter of Desires

On the ninth day, Siddhidatri, the granter of wishes and spiritual accomplishments, is revered.
She symbolises the fulfilment of devotees’ desires.
Worshippers seek her blessings for success and happiness.

Navratri Rituals

During Navratri in 2023, people do many special things to show their devotion. They fast, which means they don’t eat much food for a certain time. They also stay awake all night, have fun parties, and follow a strict rule of not eating meat. People dance a lot, especially a dance called Garba and Dandiya Raas.

They also pray to the goddess Durga twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. They say special words called mantras, give the goddess flowers, fruits, and sweets as gifts, and have big celebrations for Durga Puja.

Navratri 2023 Colours

Nine Days, Nine Colors: During Navratri, each day is associated with a specific colour, which holds great significance. Wearing these colours is believed to bring blessings from the goddess being worshipped that day.

Day 1 – Orange (October 15, 2023): The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri, who represents strength and power. Orange symbolises energy and enthusiasm.
Day 2 – White (October 16, 2023): The second day is for Goddess Brahmacharini, a symbol of purity and devotion. White signifies purity and peace.
Day 3 – Red (October 17, 2023): Red is worn on the third day, dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta, who represents bravery and courage.
Day 4 – Royal Blue (October 18, 2023): Royal Blue is the colour for the fourth day, associated with Goddess Kushmanda, the creator of the universe. It signifies creativity and the vast cosmos.
Day 5 – Yellow (October 19, 2023): On the fifth day, devotees wear yellow to honour Goddess Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya. Yellow represents happiness and optimism.
Day 6 – Green (October 20, 2023): The sixth day is for Goddess Katyayani, a symbol of determination and strength. Green is the colour of growth and new beginnings.
Day 7 – Grey (October 21, 2023): The seventh day represents Goddess Kalaratri, the destroyer of evil. Grey symbolises the power of transformation.
Day 8 – Purple (October 22, 2023): On the eighth day, devotees wear purple to honour Goddess Mahagauri, the epitome of purity and grace.
Day 9 – Peacock Green (October 23, 2023): The final day is dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri, who grants spiritual powers. Peacock Green is worn to symbolise harmony and spiritual growth.

Auspicious Tradition: It’s believed that by incorporating these colours into one’s attire during Navratri, individuals can invoke the blessings and attributes associated with each goddess, fostering a sense of positivity and spiritual connection.

Conclusion

Navratri is a vibrant and significant Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. The nine-day celebration marks the victory of good over evil, symbolised by Goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a specific manifestation of the goddess, and devotees come together to seek her blessings, perform rituals, and immerse themselves in spiritual energy.

The festival is not only a time for worship but also a period of fasting, dance, and vibrant celebrations. The tradition of wearing specific colours on each day adds a unique dimension to the festivities, as it is believed to invoke the specific attributes and blessings of the goddess being honoured.

Navratri is a beautiful reflection of the rich cultural and spiritual diversity of India, bringing people together to celebrate the power of good, the strength of devotion, and the spirit of unity. It serves as a reminder of the timeless message that goodness and courage ultimately prevail over darkness and adversity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Navratri 2023

When is Navratri starting in 2023?

Navratri 2023 starts from Sunday 15, October 2023 and ends on 24, Tuesday 2023

How to do Navratri 2023 pooja?

During Navratri, each day is dedicated to the worship of different avatars of Maa Durga, and it is customary to don red attire while offering red flowers during the Puja.

What are the 9 Colours you can wear in Navratri 2023?

The nine-day festival of Sharad Navratri, starting on October 15, 2023, is characterised by a distinctive association with nine colours: pink, white, red, orange, yellow, maroon, dark blue, green, purple, and beige, each carrying its unique significance and importance

Why Navratri twice in a year?

The first celebration happens as we move from winter to summer, and the second one takes place in autumn as we shift from summer to winter.

What you should not eat during Navratri?

You should not eat Onions and garlic during Navratri. It is considered as Tamsik food