Hindu festival Navratri, also known as Nine Nights. Know the importance of each day of Navratri.

Navratri, meaning 'nine nights, is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in many parts of India. The Navaratri festival that celebrates the defeat of Mahishasura by Goddess Durga signifies the victory of good over evil. Navaratri is a biannual and one of the most revered Hindu festivals observed in honor of Mother Goddess Durga.

Navratri, meaning 'nine nights, is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in many parts of India. 'Navratri' means 'nine nights.' 'Nava' means 'nine,' and 'Ratri' means 'night.' The night provides rest and rejuvenation. According to Hinduism, Navratri, the nine holy days mark the most auspicious days of the lunar calendar.

The festival commemorates the famous conflict between Durga and the demonic Mahishasura to mark the triumph of good over evil. The Navadurga, Durga's nine avatars, are the main focus of these nine days. Every day is linked to a different goddess manifestation.

Navratri Day 1 – Shailaputri

This day is referred to as Pratipada (first day) and is connected to Shailaputri ("Daughter of Mountain"), a manifestation of Parvati. In this incarnation, Durga is revered as Shiva's wife and is shown riding the bull Nandi while holding a trishula in her right hand and a lotus in her left. Mahakali is regarded as having a direct incarnation in Shailaputri. Yellow, the colour of the day, represents activity and vitality. She is also referred to as Hemavati and is thought to be a reincarnation of Sati, Shiva's first wife (who later takes the form of Parvati).

Navratri Day 2 – Brahmacharini

Goddess Brahmacharini, a different form of Parvati, is worshipped on Dwitiya (the second day). Yogini, Parvati's unmarried self, took on this shape. Brahmacharini is revered for bestowing moksha, or liberation, as well as peace and prosperity. She represents joy and peace and is portrayed as strolling barefoot while holding a japamala (rosary) and a kamandala (pot). Today's colour scheme is green. Sometimes, the orange colour, which represents tranquilly, is employed to create a powerful energy flow across the entire space.

Navratri Day 3 – Chandraghanta

Tritiya (third day) honours Chandraghanta's devotion; the name comes from the fact that Parvati wore an ardhachandra on her forehead when she wed Shiva (lit. half-moon). She represents both courage and beauty in equal measure. The third day's colour is grey, a vibrant hue that may lift anyone's spirits.

Navratri Day 4 – Kushmanda

On Chaturthi, devotees worship the goddess Kushmanda (fourth day). The colour of the day is orange because Kushmanda, who is thought to represent the universe's creative force, is linked to the creation of plants on earth. She is pictured sitting atop a tiger and having eight arms.

Navratri Day 5 – Skandamata

The goddess Skandamata, who is adored on Panchami (the fifth day), is Skanda's mother (or Kartikeya). The colour white represents how a mother's strength can change when her child is in danger. She is pictured with four arms, a baby in her arms, and riding a vicious lion.

Navratri Day 6 – Katyayani

She is an incarnation of Durga who was born to the sage Katyayana and is depicted as displaying the courage that the colour red represents. She is referred to as the warrior goddess and is one of Devi's most aggressive manifestations. Katyayani has four hands and a lion as her avatar. She is a manifestation of Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, and Parvati. Shashtami is her day of celebration (sixth day). On this day, Maha Shashti and the beginning of the shardiya Durga Puja are observed in eastern India.

Navratri Day 7 – Kaalaratri

On Saptami, Kalaratri, thought to be the fiercest avatar of Goddess Durga, is worshipped. According to belief, Parvati shed her fair skin in order to kill the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. Royal blue is the day's colour. The Goddess has flaming eyes and wears red clothing or tiger skin. Her skin darkens when she displays her anger. The red colour symbolises prayer and assures followers that the Goddess will defend them. On Saptami, she is honoured (seventh day). On this day, Maha Saptami and Bodhon of Shardiya Durga Puja are observed in eastern India.

Navratri Day 8 – Mahagauri

Mahagauri is a reflection of wisdom and harmony. It is said that Kaalaratri's complexion geared up after taking a dip in the Ganga river. Pink, a colour that symbolises optimism, is the hue associated with this day. Ashtami is her day of celebration (eighth day). On this day, Maha Astami is celebrated in eastern India, beginning with pushpanjali, kumari puja, etc. It is a very significant tithi and is recognised as the birthday of Chandi's Mahishasuramardini Rupa.

Navratri Day 9 – Siddhidatri

People pray to Siddhidhatri on the festival's final day, also known as Navami (the ninth day). She is regarded as possessing and bestowing all Siddhis while seated on a lotus. She's got four hands on this. The purple colour of the day, also known as Mahalakshmi, expresses adoration for the beauty of nature. Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife, is Siddhidatri. Siddhidhatri is viewed as Shiva and Shakti's Ardhanarishvara form. One side of Lord Shiva's body is thought to be that of Goddess Siddhidatri. As a result, he is sometimes referred to as Ardhanarishwara. Scriptures from the Vedas claim that Lord Shiva achieved all the siddhis through the adoration of this Goddess. On this day, Maha Navami is celebrated throughout eastern India and is considered significant.