Navratri - gollu - Significance of the nine-day festival

Durga is venerated during Navratri as she embodies creation, preservation and destruction

One of the most important Hindu festivals, Navaratra literally means nine auspicious nights. The Goddess Durga is venerated during the nine days as she embodies the power of creation, preservation and destruction. Worship of the goddess bestows wealth, knowledge and prosperity.

During the nine days of the festival, different aspects of the supreme goddess is venerated. The first three days, the goddess is venerated as Durga, who destroys evil. For the next three days, the goddess is worshipped as Lakshmi, who grants wealth and prosperity. The goddess is revered during the last three days as Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom.

Pratipada – First Day

On the first day of the festival, the goddess is venerated as Shailputri. Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). A form of Shakti and the consort of Lord Shiva, Shailaputri embodies the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The goddess is variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati. It is customary to wear red coloured clothes on this day.

During the nine days of the festival, different aspects of the supreme goddess is venerated

Dwitiya – Second Day

The goddess manifests as Brahmacharini on the second day. The name of the goddess means one who practices devout austerity. A form of Uma or Parvati, the goddess grants happiness, prosperity and moksha (emancipation). On the second and third day of the festival, it is customary to wear blue coloured clothes.

Tritiya – Third Day

Worshipped as Chandraghanta, the goddess represents beauty and bravery. She is called Chandraghanta because of the chandra or half moon on her forehead in the shape of a ghanta or bell. She stands for valour and strength to fight the demons.

Chaturthi – Fourth Day

On the fourth day, the goddess is venerated as Kushmanda. According to mythology, goddess Kushmanda created the universe through her laughter. The goddess is often depicted as having eight or 10 hands. Devouts often wear yellow coloured clothes on this day.

Panchami – Fifth Day

The goddess is venerated as Skand Mata on the fifth day. Skanda or Lord Kartikeya led the army of the gods against the demons. The goddess is depicted holding an infant Skanda in her arm. Hindus generally wear green coloured clothes on this day.

Shashti – Sixth Day

Worship of the goddess bestows wealth, knowledge and prosperity

On the sixth day, the goddess Durga is worshipped as Katyayani. According to popular belief associated with the goddess, the venerated sage Kata performed severe austerities to beget the goddess as his daughter. Impressed with his penance, the goddess granted the sage his boon. The daughter born to Kata came to be known as Katyayani. It is customary to wear grey coloured clothes on this day.

Saptami – Seventh Day

The goddess is worshipped as Kalratri on the seventh day. As black as a dark night, the goddess has a dark complexion, disheveled hair
aggressive posture. The goddess assures protection from fear and troubles. Unlike other forms of Durga which are depicted riding a lion, goddess Kalratri rides a donkey. The goddess is also known as Shubhamkari or the one who performs good. It is customary for the faithful to wear orange coloured clothes on saptami.

Ashtami – Eighth Day

Durga is venerated as Maha Gauri on this day. Extremely beautiful, fair as snow, worship of the goddess washes away all sins of past, present and future. According to a popular belief, the goddess developed a dark complexion due to long and severe austerities. The goddess regained her beauty after Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges. The resplendent goddess came to be known as Maha Gauri, which means extremely white. The goddess is depicted adorning white clothes and rides a bull. White is the colour of the day.

Navami – Ninth Day

Siddhidatri is the ninth form of the goddess. It is believed she embodies all the eight siddhis. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva worshipped the goddess and was blessed with all the siddhis. Lord Shiva acquired the form of Ardhanarishvara because of the blessings of the goddess. It is customary to wear pink colour clothes on this day.

This Navratri, do not forget to pray and seek the blessings of the goddess in the midst of all the celebrations. The goddess destroys evil not only in the society but also the vices which man acquires in his life.

Nine different forms of the goddess is venerated during the nine-days of the festival