Sign up now to our weekly newsletter put together by our dedicated food and drink writers Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice While Diwali is perhaps the best-known festival in the Hindu calendar, there is another event that comes before the festival of lights. Navratri, also known as Sharad Navratri, takes place during October this year. If you want to learn more about Navratri, we've put together a short guide on the religious festival. Here is everything you need to know including what it is, when it takes place, and what's happening in Leicester for it. What is Navratri? Navratri literally means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit, so it makes sense that the festival takes place over that many nights (and ten days). These are dedicated to the victory of good over evil and the Goddess Durga, who is said to descend from heaven and take shelter in the homes of her followers during the festival. (Image: Getty) Each day of Navratri represents a different colour which devotees should dress in, which for 2018 are as follows: Day 1, Pratipada - royal blue Day 2, Dwitiya - yellow Day 3, Tritiya - green Day 4, Chaturthi - grey Day 5, Panchami - orange Day 6, Sashti - white Day 7, Saptami - red Day 8, Ashtami - sky blue Day 9, Navami - pink Day 10, Dashami - any colour Each day has its own particular significance, and represents a different ritual for devotees to perform. What happens during Navratri? Navratri is celebrated in different ways across the Indian subcontinent, and by Hindus across the world. Many Hindus worship Goddess Durga by reading prayers, singing hymns, and making offerings of fresh flowers and food. Traditional dance performances also commonly take place in temples and schools. (Image: Reading Post) Some devotees may fast, cutting out smoking and drinking alcohol, and adopting a light vegetarian diet. Certain ingredients such as onion, garlic, lentils, flour, and certain spices are not permitted during the fast. When does Navratri take place in 2018? In 2018 Navratri takes starts on Wednesday, 10 October. The festival comes to an end on Friday, 19 October. What's happening for Navratri in Leicester? Many Hindus celebrate Navratri here in Leicester. At Wyvern Primary School pupils, parents and teachers performed a traditional stick dance, called Dandiya Raas. During Dandiya Raas devotees dance in two circles with sticks in their hands, which represent the sword of Goddess Durga. Peepul Centre are hosting an extra special 11 nights of traditional dance from Wednesday, 10 October until Saturday, 20 October. Venues Platinum Suites and Jungle Club are also holding Navratri events.<doc-sep>Durga Navami 2018 Date: This year it will fall on October 18. (Source: File Photo) Durga Navami 2018 Date: This year it will fall on October 18. (Source: File Photo) Navratri 2018, Durga Navami 2018 Date: Maha Navratri or Sharad Navratri is the most significant of the four Navratris and Mahanavami falls on the ninth and last day of the Navratri festival. This year, it will be observed on October 18, 2018. It marks the final day of the long drawn battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, who was defeated at her hands on the tenth day or Vijayadashmi. People offer prayers to the Goddess and worship her as Mahishasuramardini – the slayer of the buffalo demon. In parts of India, teenage girls, who have not attained puberty, are worshipped as Durga. They dress up like the Goddess and receive offerings in the form of halwa, puri, chana, clothes, and other gifts by devotees who invite them to their houses for the ritual. People wash their feet and decorate it with alta. While in the northern part of the country, people bid farewell to the Goddess who is supposed to make a journey back to her abode safely in heaven, in the eastern belt, they do it after a day – on Dashami. People observe this day by starting with a holy bath, which is then followed by a special Shodhasopachar of the deity. In many parts of Bengal, it is celebrated with great pomp and show. Huge pandals are set up and devotees throng it in great numbers. People wear beautiful clothes, go out with family and friends for pandal hopping, and partake in various cultural events like the popular dhunuchi naach. On this day, the goddess is offered sugarcane stalks. Navami Homa is also performed after the end of the puja and a Maha Arti is organised. The significance of this day lies in the fact that it reminds people to always believe in the good in them. It sends across a strong message – good always wins over evil.<doc-sep>Brand Solutions An Insight into ETFs How they can help in wealth creation Reshape Tomorrow Tomorrow is different. Let's reshape it today TomorrowMakers Let's get smarter about money ET Campus Stars Hunt for the brightest engineers in India<doc-sep>Navratri, a Hindu festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm, splendour and devotion throughout the country. The celebrations go on for nine days and nights and on the tenth day, Goddess Durga is immersed in holy water after nine days of the rituals. Navratri is observed as Durga Puja in the East and in various parts of Northeast India. The final day is referred to as Vijay Dashmi, Dusshera or Dasain. Northern India and Western India celebrate it as the victory of King Rama over Ravana, which gave way to the proverb, “victory of good over evil.” Here it is celebrated through Ram Lila, Dandiya, and burning effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarana and son, Meghdoot. Navratri arrives four times in the calendar year and is known as Vasant Navratri, Ashadha Navratri, Sharad Navratri and Magha Navratri. The most prominent, however, is Sharada Navaratri during the months of September-October, followed by Vasanta Navaratri during March-April. As per mythological texts, the most prominently associated story with Navratri is the battle between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura, who represents egotism. All nine days of the festival are dedicated to a distinct avatar of the goddess, and each of these days has a colour assigned to it. Colours have a strong significance in terms of the nine days of Navratri (Photo by Soumik Dey on Unsplash) Mostly the colour of blood and fire, red has been associated with the Goddess, her aura, and her power. But there are some other colours as well that have a strong significance in terms of the nine days of Navratri. Each colour represents a different spirit and narrative in context of the many avatars of Goddess Durga. Read on to know more about each day, the colour of the day and what it stands for: Day 1: Navratri starts with the worship of Goddess Shailputri, the first form of the Maa Durga. She is the daughter of Himalaya with the name Shailputri being a combination of words, Shail (mountain) and Putri (daughter). The colour of the first day is royal blue and it stands for calmness, wisdom and strength and devotees wear the colour and offer ghee as a bhog to the goddess. Day 2: On the second day of Navratri, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped and the colour associated with this day is yellow. Yellow is the color of brightness, happiness, and cheer and symbolizes strength. Devotees offer sugar as bhog to Goddess Brahmacharini. Day 3: The day is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta, who symbolises peace and serenity. It is believed that praying to Maa Chandraghanta could alleviate all problems in your life. Associated with growth, nature, and energy, the colour of the day is green. Devotees on this day offer milk to the goddess. Day 4: Devotees worship Goddess Kushmanda on day 4 and it’s believed that observing fast (upvas) on this day could cure one of pains and diseases. The colour associated with the fourth day is Grey. Maa Kushmanda wears a grey-coloured half-moon on her forehead. The colour also stands for her feisty nature where she’s determined to destroy the foes of her devotees, the perpetrators of darkness. Day 5: The fifth day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Skandamata and the colour of the day is Orange. This colour stands for happiness and energy. Bhog in the form of fruits, especially banana is offered to Maa. Day 6: Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri and white is the colour of the day which symbolises peace, purity and victory against darkness and evil forces. Honey is offered as bhog to please the goddess. Day 7: Seventh day of Navratri is dedicated to the Goddess Kaalratri. Devotees wear the colour of fire and blood, red which symbolises action and vigor. Devotees offer jiggery (gur) as bhog. Day 8: Devotees worship Goddess Mahagauri on day 8 of Navratri. It’s also called Maha Ashtami. Worshipping this avatar of maa is believed to help mitigate ones sins. The colour associated with the day is Pink and signifies hope and a fresh perspective. The bhog contains coconut. Day 9: Day 9 or Navami, is the last day of Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri. Devotees break their nine-day fast and worship all nine forms of Goddess Durga. Devotees also worship kanyas on this day as they’re considered to be the human forms of Maa. The colour for day 9 is Purple which symbolises ambition and power. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter<doc-sep>
Navratri is a 9-night and 10-day-long festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. It is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindus and began this year on Oct. 10. The name of the festival is a literal translation of the number of nights the festival is celebrated for. It is celebrated in the autumn season, but the date of the festival varies each year. Though the festival is widely celebrated across India, at the same time, the celebrations associated with it and its significance vary from one state to another. India is a country that has a wide variation in culture, which is reflected in traditions as well. Durga represents purity and power according to Hindu beliefs and was also associated with fertility of the earth. The festival is mostly celebrated as a triumph of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, Durga famously destroyed Mahishasura, a buffalo demon, after a battle which lasted nine nights. In the eastern and north-eastern states of India, the celebration is referred to as “Durga Puja.” All the ten days and nine nights of the festival are usually filled with ritualistic chanting, prayers, fasting, and celebrations. In some places, festivities include traditional dance and music which can last late into the evening, and sometimes entire nights. In South India, Navratri is devoted to Goddesses’ Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati equally, who are all forms of “Shakti” or the divine female energy. It is also the time when farmers sow their seeds and thank goddess Durga for her blessings. They ask for healthy and surplus crops as women offer saplings of nine different types of grains in small containers to the goddess. Navratri can be said to be a time for introspection and purification as well. Photo: Getty Images/Sam Panthaky People all over the country prepare for the festival by buying new clothes, decorating their houses and streets, and with traditional dance performances and fasts. Fasting is considered as a way to invoke the "Shakti" from within a person that helps to cleanse the body and mind. But fasting does not mean a person goes completely hungry. Certain kinds of food and beverages, like grains, such as rice, as well as meat, eggs, lentil, legumes, coffee, alcohol, onion, and garlic are prohibited. The tenth day of the festival is the celebration of Dussehra, which is when the major celebration happens. People worship nine forms of Durga in the days leading to Navratri: Day 1: Shailaputri, the daughter of the Himalayas. Day 2: Brahmacharini, a woman who pursues sacred religious knowledge. Day 3: Chandraghanta, the one that has a half-moon shaped bell. Day 4: Kushmanda, the creator of the universe, believed to help improve health, bestow wealth and strength upon others. Day 5: Skandamata, the one who is a symbol of motherhood. Day 6: Katyayani, named after the sage Katya. Goddess Durga is believed to have taken birth in one form in his house. Day 7: Kalaratri, one among the many destructive forms of Durga. Day 8: Mahagauri, Lord Shiva’s (a Hindu God) wife. Day 9: Siddhidatri, the provider of supernatural powers.