Exploring Navratri 2024: Maa Ambica, Rituals, Fasting, and Significance
The spiritually significant nine days festival of Sharadiya Navaratri is also called the shrad Navratri, which is celebrated by Hindus all over India in honor of the nine form of Goddess Ambica. This festival usually takes place in Sep or Oct of calendar month. Sharad Navratri is also known as Maha Navratri and the most important of the four Navratris which are Magha , Chaitra, Ashadha , and Sharad.
The word “Navratri” itself comes from two Sanskrit words: “Nav” which means nine, and “Ratri” which means nights. Together, it denotes nine nights of celebration, rituals, and humility. Shard Navratri is more popular in states like Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi, where it is celebrated with great passion. Through a variety of rituals, like wise Durga puja ceremonies, prayers, and offerings, devotees show their high thankfulness to Maa Ambica and ask for her blessings for prosperity, good health, and mental wellbeing.
Additionally, the celebration symbolizes the ongoing conflict between good and evil and it has deep symbolic importance. The purpose of the nine nights is to worship several avatars of the goddess, each of them represents special attributes and virtues. The celebrations of this season are marked by a strict commitment to spiritual discipline; devotees often avoid from meat, wine, onions, and garlic in favor of rituals, yagnas (sacrificial offerings), and other rites that help in their spiritual development.
Navratri 2024 – Start and End Dates
Start Date: October 3rd, 2024 (Thursday)
End Date: October 12th, 2024 (Saturday)
Dussehra, or Vijayadashmi, is celebrated on the tenth day of Shardiya Navratri as the final of the festival. It is celebrated as Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, which took place over the time of nine days and ended on the tenth day as Vijayadashami. For this reason, she is known as “Mahishasuramardini”, or “the slayer of Mahishasur”.
Additionally, the tenth day of Navratri is known as Vijayadashami, celebrating the day when Lord Rama defeated Ravana and retrieved Goddess Sita.
The change from the days of victory, which is a celebration of life, victory, and the glorious feminine, to the holy nights of devotion, records the essence of Navratri. As communities get together to celebrate, the air is packed with Joyness, singing, and dancing, making Navratri a largely celebrated event in India.
Forms of Goddess Durga and their associated colors during nine days of Navratri
- Shailaputri
- Brahmacharini
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skandamata
- Katyayani
- Kalaratri
- Mahagauri
- Siddhidatri
Day 1: Shailaputri – The Goddess of Courage (Red)
After Parvati’s self-immolation as Sati, she was reborn as the daughter of the Himalayas. In Sanskrit, ‘Shail’ which means mountain, so she was named Shailputri, which means “Daughter of the mountain”. The color red; a bright and powerful color, symbolizes strength and determination.
Day 2: Brahmacharini – The Goddess of Purity (Royal Blue)
After being Kushmanda, Goddess Parvati was reborn in the house of Daksha Prajapati. This form known for deep devotion and strict living, she is called Brahmacharini, symbolizing her unmarried and simple life. The color royal blue represents calmness and peace.
Day 3: Chandraghanta – The Goddess of Peace (Yellow)
After marrying Lord Shiva, Mahagauri started wearing a half-moon on her forehead. This look gave her the name Chandraghanta, showing her as the married form of Goddess Parvati. The color yellow; represents joy and happiness.
Day 4: Kushmanda – The Goddess of Prosperity (Green)
After becoming Siddhidatri, the Goddess lived in the Sun’s core, helping sunshine energy across the universe. She was then called “Kushmanda” because she could live inside the Sun. Her brightness is said to be as strong as the Sun’s rays. The color green represents nature and fertility.
Day 5: Skandamata – The Mother of Skanda (Grey)
When Goddess Parvati gave birth to Lord Skanda, who is also known as Kartikeya, she was called Skandamata, which means “mother of Skanda”. The color grey; a neutral shade, symbolizes balance and stability.
Day 6: Katyayani – The Warrior Goddess (Orange)
To defeat the demon Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati turned into the fierce warrior “Katyayani”. This is one of her most aggressive forms. The color orange, bright and full of energy, represents this form.
Day 7: Kalaratri – The Dark Goddess (White)
When Goddess Parvati shedded her golden skin to defeat the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, she took on the terrifying form of Kalaratri. This is her most fierce and fearsome form. The color white represents purity and spirituality.
Day 8: Mahagauri – The Goddess of Beauty (Pink)
According to Hindu legends, when Shailputri was sixteen, she was extremely beautiful and had a very fair complexion. Because of her fairness, she was called Mahagauri. The color pink symbolizes love and compassion.
Day 9: Siddhidatri – The Bestower of Wisdom (Sky Blue)
At the beginning of creation, Lord Rudra worshipped Adi-Parashakti to form the universe. Adi-Parashakti, who had no specific form, appeared as Siddhidatri from the left side of Lord Shiva, representing the supreme Goddess of Power. The color sky blue; symbolizes vastness and spirituality.
Fasting in Navratri
Navratri, which is rich in colors, traditions, songs, and dance, is a time to relax, reflect, and re-charge with new energies. Fasting during Navratri helps make this inner journey towards joy and peace. It calms the mind and brings awareness and happiness.
When fasting, thinking too much about food can make you hungrier. Fasting becomes easier and more natural when you focus on spiritual activities. Engaging in spiritual rituals or meditation can shift your focus from food. By connecting with the divine and participating in these uplifting practices, fasting turns into most relaxing and effortless experience.