Shubh Navratri and its 9 Days of Divine Worship.

About Navratri? 

By emerging two words that Initially mean – Nav, meaning “Nine,” and Ratri, meaning “Night,” Navratri is a divine and most prosperous Hindu festival celebrated throughout 9 days and typically arrives during the Autumn months – September-October. Navratri isn’t a festival that can be observed at home, as it needs you to step out of your house and emerge into an enthusiastic and energetic aura. The whole country is decorated on the occasion of Navratri, and you can witness glorifying statues all around cities with a massive gathering of people. The purpose of these statues is to make people aware of how our Mata ended Evils and their inhuman practices. 

Every sculpture is built with enough creativity and detail to become first sight, first love. It’s not only because of the artist’s talent but also because of Mata’s divinity and people’s trust in her. Navratri is the longest Hindu Festival because, during all Nine Days, we worship Nine forms of our Maa Durga, also known as Shakti. She is the Supreme Goddess who stands against Evils to protect Humans and end every Evil and Evil practice. 

What are Navratri’s Nine Days of Worship?

Navratri’s nine days are the nine divine forms of Maa Durga, and each day is celebrated differently as every day is unique in its format.  Navratri is the victory of Maa Durga over the Evil King Mahishasura; it’s a victory of Good over Evil, and that’s the reason why the significance of Durga is in a broader sense. 

Navratri is celebrated worldwide; people often fast for several days, or even some quickly, for all nine days while eating once daily to show affection, love, and devotion towards Maa Shakti and her all forms. Puja and Aarti are among vital daily rituals to honor mata and bless her devotees. Not only this, but as Navratri is the festival of enthusiasm and exceptional energy, Navratri Bhajans, Kirtans, and devotional songs are sung during all days of Navratri. 

Especially in Gujarat but now in all parts of India, Garba and Dandiya-Raas are performed as a religious dance during Navratri nights, and people of all age groups love and enjoy them while opening their hearts out with the flow of devotion and emotions. Navrati brings people of all age groups and genders to come along, unite, and enjoy the flow of Navratri with her finest blessings in the form of Music, Dance, and several festival activities. 

To be amazed, Navrati isn’t only the festival of enthusiasm and enough energy but also the festival of colors. Each day has a specific importance of colors that people wear accordingly, which might differ from region to region. Sequences of these colors with days are as follows – 

• Day One of Navratri is for Red. 
• Day Two of Navratri is for Royal Blue. 
• Day Three of Navrati is for Yellow. 
• Day Four of Navratri is for Green. 
• Day Five of Navratri is for Grey. 
• Day Six of Navratri is for Orange. 
• Day Seven of Navratri is for White. 
• Day Eight of Navratri is for Pink. 
• And last but not least, Day Nine of Navratri is for Purple. 

Let’s understand deeply about her all Nine Forms. 

• Mata Shailputri –

Maa Durga’s Avatar was born as the daughter of Himalaya, the Mountain King, and Shailputri means – the Daughter of Mountains. With her white bull as her mount, she holds up the Trishul in one hand and the lotus in another hand and represents the childhood stage of Mata Parvati in Durga’s principal form. 

• Mata Brahmacharini –

Representing the ascetic phase of Maa Durga, Mata Brahmacharini is a divine Avatar who holds Rudraksha Mala in one hand and Kamandalu at the other hand and is known as the Mother of Penance and Devotion. 

• Mata Chandraghanta –

Mata Chandraghanta is a divine Avatar of Maa Durga, whose mount is the fierce tiger. She has ten hands, among which eight are adorned with arms like Trishul, Gada, Kamandal, Lotus flower, Dhanush, Japa Mala, Sword, and Arow. Her fifth left hand is in Varada Mudra, and her fifth right hand is in Abhaya Mudra. 

• Mata Kushmanda –

Mata Kushmanda is a divine representation of Durga Mata as Mahashakti, and while splitting the name into two, Kushmanda refers to the Creator of the Universe. Mata Kushmanda sits upon a lion with her eight arms. Her arms hold Kamandal, Bada, Kamar, Amrit Kalash, Dhanush, Gada, Japa Mala, and Chakra. 

• Skandmata –

Mounted at the back of the Lion, Skandmata refers to the Goddess of Children and Motherhood. Among her four arms, through one, she holds fear-dispelling Abhayamudra while blessing her devotees. She follows two arms holding lotuses and one with her six-faced elder son Kartikey – the Skand. 

• Mata Katyayani –

Mata Katyayani represents the most powerful Goddess, Durga, as a warrior with four arms holding a shield, sword, trident, and lotus in each hand and seated upon the fearsome lion. 

• Mata Kalaratri –

Maata Kalaratri also known as Maa Kali is Maa Durga’s form of Destruction. With her three bloodshot eyes, Mata Kalaratri rides over a Donkey with a garland of Skulls around her neck, a Scimitar, Bowl of Blood, Vajra, and Trident on her four hands. She is worshiped for courage, manifestation, and prosperity. 

• Mata Mahagauri –

Eight Day of Navratri is called Ashtami, and Mata Mahagauri is worshiped as the epitome and a symbol of beauty and women. With her four hands, among which one is towards Blessing her worshippers, Pink Lotus in three hands, followed by Trident and Damru on other hands, Mata Mahagauri rides upon a white bull, and she represents the recovery form of Maa Durga from Mata Kali’s destructive form. 

• Mata Siddhidhatri –

On the 9th and final day of Navaratri, Maa Durga reaches her supreme form as Mahashakti, who controls the world. Mata Siddhidhatri relies upon Maa Durga’s form of perfection, and she sits on the Lotus while holding a Mace, Pink Lotus, Discus, and Conch Shell in her hands. 

Navratri isn’t only a festival but a history, not a methodology. Each form illustrates the importance of Dharma and how she fought for it and saved our planet from Evil. That’s why we celebrate Vijayadhashami/Dussehra after the Ninth Day of Navratri to mark the victory of Good over Evil after Navratri. MahaShakti is the Supreme Goddess who controls the world because Shiva Ji, our Mahadev, is the Supreme God, and MahaShakti, in the form of Parvati, is his wife. Together, they become ShivaShakti, who runs the universe with their divine powers and blessings on us. 

Addons for You all – Navratri Wishes 

I am here to mention some of the Navratri Wishes that you can use to circulate over your Social Media with your Friends and Families. 

1. May the divine blessings of Maa Durga fulfill you with enough strength, courage, wisdom, and prosperity. Happy Navratri to you and your family, and I hope it will be your best year ahead. 
2. We wish that this Navratri will be full of colors, wisdom, and devotion and will result in the finest blessings of Maa on you and your family. Happy Navratri with a complete package of fine health and wealth. 
3. May this Navratri will be the start of your life’s spiritual growth and empowerment with great wealth and health. Have a safe and blessed Navratri. 
4. On the most prosperous and divine occasion of Navratri, we would like to seek blessings from Maa Durga to provide you with the strength and courage to overcome your fears and challenges. Happy Navratri to you and your family. 
5. Let’s remove all of our sorrows, disbeliefs, and challenges with the spirits of Dandiya and the rhythm of Garba on this divine nine days of Navratri. Happy Navratri to all of you. We wish the best for you all. 
6. Let’s seek blessings from Maa Durga to enlighten our souls toward the right path and fill our spirits with positivity, love, and devotion. Happy, delightful Navratri to everyone. 

Glimpse about my Upcoming Blog on – ShivaShakti – 

Before the universe came into existence, Lord Brahma advised Supreme Lord Shiva to distribute himself into two halves as there’s a need for females, too, as only Manlihood won’t be enough to handle the Universe. And here, Shiva and Shakti became two personalities. 

Read more in detail about ShivaShakti in my Upcoming Blog. Do comment your views, opinions, and ideologies about this Blog. Also, you can share ideas about the topics you want me to cover. Read my previous Blogs from – My Author Profile and connect with me over Social Media from my only Linktree Link – Siddhant Jain SJ.