What is Navratri?

What is Navratri? What do these 9 days of festivities mean?

Hinduism's 9 most holy days, Navratri represents lots quite simply prayers and abstinence from food.

Navratri--or the 9 sacred days--mark the foremost auspicious days of the lunar calendar according to Hinduism. Celebrated with fervour and festivity all over north India, and each Hindu community the globe over, these 9 days ar dedicated solely to Maa Durga (goddess Durga) and her 9 avatars.

The prominent story associated with Navratri is that the battle that took place between goddess Durga and also the demon Mahishasura, who represents egotism. All the 9 days of  the festival ar dedicated to every distinct avatar of the goddess; and every of those days has a significant color attached to it, which devotees ar expected to wear whereas collaborating within the festivities. So, we've tried to break it down in easier terms for you:

The 9 avatars of Durga and also the colors of every avatar:

Day 1:

SHAILPUTRI: She is that the embodiment of the collective power of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. it's in this form that the goddess was worshipped because the consort of Shiva. the color of the 1st  day is red--it depicts action and vigour.

Day 2:

BRAHMCHARINI: The one who practices devout austerity. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and charm upon all devotees who worship her. filled with blissfulness and happiness, she is that the way to emancipation or moksha. the color of the second day is royal blue, since it's synonymous  with a calm-yet-powerful energy.

Day 3:

CHANDRAGHANTA: She represents beauty and charm and is worshipped on the third day for peace, tranquillity and prosperity in life. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength. the color of the day is yellow.

Day 4:

KUSHMUNDA: She is considered the creator of the universe. it's believed that Kushmunda created the universe through a bout of laughter and created it verdant with vegetation. Hence, the color of the day is green.

Day 5:

SKAND MATA: She is that the mother of skanda, or Karthikeya, UN agency was chosen by the gods as their commander-in-chief within the war against the demons. She is accompanied by skanda in his infant kind. the color of the day is gray, because it indicates the vulnerability of a mother who will turn into a storm cloud when the requirement arises to protect her kid.

Day 6:

KATYAYANI: Katyayani was born to the good sage, Kata, as an avatar of Durga. wearing orange, she exhibits immense courage. Hence, the color of the day is orange.

Day 7:

KALRATRI: She has a dark complexion, dishevelled hair and a fearless posture. She has 3 eyes that shine bright, with flames emanating from her breath. She is black just like the immortal Kali. She is that the most fierce form of goddess Durga, and she is wearing white, a color that represents peace and prayer. Thus, the color of the day is white.

Day 8:

maha GAURI: maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. it's same that due to her long austerities within the deep forests of the Himalayas, her color transformed from white to back. However, later, when Shiva cleaned her with the waters of the Ganga, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as maha Gauri, which means extremely white. the color of the day is pink, denoting hope and a fresh start.

Day 9:

SIDDHIDATRI: She has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and is always in a happy state of mind. She blesses all gods, saints, yogis, tantriks and every one devotees as a manifestation of the mother goddess. The goddess is shown to be in a blissful state, just like the sky on a clear day. Thus, the color of the day is sky blue, representing wonderment about the beauty of nature.

Celebrated twice a year, the primary Navratri that falls within the month of March or april is known as Chaitra Navratri. Most devotees of immortal Durga observe a quick for 9 days, though some observe it for only 2 days. during the quick, one is meant to abstain from everyday grains like wheat, however will consume fruits, milk, tea, coffee, potatoes and one meal of sago food preparations--such as kuttu (singhada) atta and special rice. instead of regular table salt, sendha (sea) salt is used for cooking.

Food eaten during Navratri:* fried or boiled potatoes* Kadhi prepared with kuttu atta and sea salt* Aloo tikki* Banana chips* Makhane ki sabzi* Fruits and fruit juices* Sabudana kheer* Curd* Lassi* Kuttu atta roti with kaddu sabzi or aloo sabzi

So, go forth, have a fabulous Navratri!