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.<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 2018 Durga Brahmacharini Women celebrating Navratri. Women celebrating Navratri. Photo: BCCL Skandamata Navratri Women celebrating Navratri. Witharound the corner, people from across the nation are gearing up to celebrate the occasion with grand vigour and tradition. The festival is dedicated to Hindu Goddessand lasts for nine nights and ten days. From pujas that begin in the morning to traditional dances such as dandiya and garba at night, the festival has it all.Starting from October 10, devotees wear clothing of a specific colour code every day. This is honour of the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. Paying specific detail to accessories and traditional attire, devotees from all walks of life follow the colours assigned with great enthusiasm.Here are the nine colours that are assigned for each day:The first day of the festival will begin with bliss and grace, as devotees will worship. With this in mind, the colour of Royal Blue was chosen to signify calmness, wisdom and strength.The bright colour of yellow is chosen for the second day in honour of the Chandraghanta Puja. Representing happiness and optimism, the second day will definitely be one of the brightest this year!Day three is dedicated to the creator of the Universe, Kushmunda. Green, which is considered to be the colour of new beginnings and growth, has been chosen for this day.A mother is considered to be the ultimate protector of her child. Celebrating the bond between a mother and her child, the fourth day of the festival is dedicated to, the mother of War-God Skanda. Representing vulnerability, the chosen colour of the day is grey.On this day, devotees worship Goddess Saraswati and marks the first day of Saraswati Puja. To represent knowledge and energy, the colour orange is selected for the day.This day ofis dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, who is considered to be the violent avatar of Goddess Durga. White, which represents peace and purity, is the chosen colour of the day.Devotees will go red on this day in honour of Goddess Kalaratri, the fierce avatar of Goddess Parvati. The colour is chosen as it represents fire and energy.The occasion of Ashtami will celebrate wisdom and sincerity, represented with the colour Sky Blue. The colour is chosen in appreciation of nature.The nine-day-festival will come to an end with the colour pink. This shade was chosen to celebrate Maha Navami as the colour represents hope.<doc-sep>Navratri Colours: Navratri 2018 has begun and will continue till the 18th of October, 2018 Navratri 2018 has begun and Indians are celebrating the nine avatars of Hindu Goddess Durga. Today is the ninth day of the festival of Sharad Navratri, that is, Navami. The festival is celebrated with much grandeur in different parts of the country, which lasts for 9 nights and 10 days. According to the Hindu calendar the festival falls in the month of Ashvin. Each day is devoted to different forms of Goddess Durga and is ascribed 9 different colours. Special foods are prepared through the nine days according to the colours to celebrate Navratri. Navratri is a festival of celebration and much merry making and Indians from different Indian states celebrate the festival differently. People get to witness diverse forms of our culture and tradition during the 9 days of Navratri. Navratri is a celebration of the feminine divine worshipped by Hindus. Moreover, it also celebrates the victory of good over evil, which is a theme that is echoed in a number of other Hindu festivals like Dussehra and Diwali. Each day of Navratri is associated with a different colour. We tell you the 9 colours associated with the Goddess Durga and the foods that you can prepare on each day. Navratri Colours 2018 (Day And Date Wise) (Also Read: Navratri 2018 Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta Puja Vidhi, Significance and Foods To Offer) Navratri Dates Navratri Day Navratri Colours 10th October, 2018 Pratipada Royal Blue 11th October, 2018 Dwitiya Yellow 12th October, 2018 Tritiya Green 13th October, 2018 Chaturthi Grey 14th October, 2018 Panchami Orange 15th October, 2018 Sashti White 16th October, 2018 Saptami Red 17th October, 2018 Ashtami Sky Blue 18th October, 2018 Navami Pink 19th October, 2018 Dashami None (Also Read: 9-Day Healthy Eating Plan For Navratri 2018) Navratri 2018: Special foods are prepared through the nine days 9 Navratri Colours and Foods to Celebrate Sharad Navratri with 1. Kesar kheer or halwa- yellow The first day is dedicated to Shailputri, who is known to be Goddess Parvati, the daughter of mighty Himalaya. While there are many yellow colour foods that you can have during this day, nothing can go wrong with some sweet. Prepare some kesar ki kheer or kesar ka halwa to commemorate the day. (Also Read: How To Cook These Six Fruits Into Delicious Desserts During Fasts) 2. Kacche kele ki barfi- green The second day is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini, who was Goddess Parvati when she was unmarried. Celebrate this day with raw banana or kachcha kele ki barfi and the Navratri colour for this day is green. 3. Kuttu ki puri- grey The third day is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta. This name was derived when Goddess Parvati started adorning half Chandra (moon) on her forehead after getting married to Lord Shiva. If you are fasting on this day, you could prepare some kuttu ki sabji or kuttu ki puri. Navratri 2018: The third day is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta 4. Motichoor laddoo- orange The fourth day is dedicated to Devi Kushmanda, who is also known as the creator of the universe. She is also known as the deity who has the power and capability to reside inside the sun. Motichoor laddoo can be one of the orange sweets you could have on this day and offer it to the deity. 5. Makhane ki kheer- white Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day. Skandamata or mother of skanda, also known as Lord Kartikeya, is said to ride a lion along with the baby in one of her hands. You could prepare makhane ki kheer for this special Navratri 2018 day. 6. Beetroot and carrot juice- red Goddess Katyayini, the warrior goddess, is worshipped on the sixth day. On this day, red is denoted as an important colour. While there is no specific re-coloured food, you could prepare a healthy beetroot and carrot juice. 7. Blueberries and prunes- blue The seventh day is dedicated to Devi Kalaratri, who killed the two demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Blue makes an important part of the day. While there is no specific blue-coloured food, blueberries and prunes could be a great pick for you. If you are fasting, fruits and dry fruits make an important part. Navratri 2018: If you are fasting, fruits and dry fruits make an important part 8. Rose petal kulfi/ice-cream- pink Mata Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri 2018. Celebrate Ashtami with pink colour. Prepare some rose petal kulfi or ice-cream on this day. 9. Anjeer- purple Last but not least, the ninth and final day is dedicated to Devi Siddhidaatri, who is believed to possess all knowledge and wisdom. This day is denoted by the colour purple, so you could have a handful of anjeer or figs that are easily available in this season. Happy Navratri 2018!<doc-sep>
Navratri: Thousands flock to streets in India for 2017 celebrations Navratri is a nine-night festival that ends with Dussehra on the 10th day - this year, that is Thursday, October 18. The dates of the celebration are determined by the moon, so they vary a little each year and by location. On each day of Navratri, the Goddess Durga is worshipped in each of her nine forms, with each day having a different ritual associated with it. However, the festival is celebrated differently and for different reasons in different regions. How Navratri is celebrated DAY 1: Pratipada The first day of Navratri is marked by the ritual Ghatasthapana which is performed to invoke the energy of the Goddess Durga. The goddess is worshipped on this day as Shailputri is an incarnation of the Goddess Pravati meaning ‘Daughter of the Mountain’ representing nature and purity, The colour to wear for this day is yellow. DAY 2: Dwitiya The goddess form Brahmacharini - the unmarried form of the Goddess Pavrati - is worshipped. The colour to wear on this day of Navratri is green. Navratri 2018 greetings: On each day of Navratri, the Goddess Durga is worshipped Navratri 2018: The festival is celebrated differently in different regions DAY 3: Tritiya On this day, the goddess is worshipped in the married form of Goddess Pavrati: Chandraghanta. The name is derived from the half-moon on her forehead, which looks like a bell. The colour for this day is grey. DAY 4: Chaturthi The goddess is worshipped as Kushmanda, who lived in the sun and is believed to have created the universe. The colour worn on this day is orange. Navratri 2018: The Goddess Durga. DAY 5: Panchami The goddess is worshipped on this day in the form Skandamta the mother of Kartikey. The colour worn is white. DAY 6: Shasthi The goddess is worshipped as Katyayani, the warrior goddess form morphed into a buffalo demon, Mahishasura. The colour to be worn is red. Navratri 2018: The dates of the celebration are determined by the moon DAY 7: Saptami The goddess is worshipped in the Kalaratri form, or the dark night. She is the form of the goddess that is fierce and represents the protection trouble. The colour for this day is royal blue. DAY 8: Ashtami The form of the goddess worshipped on this day of Navratri is Mahagauri, who represents beauty, grace and the cleansing of sins. The colour to wear to worship this day is pink. Navratri 2018: The festival that ends with Dussehra on the 10th day