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Navratri

The nine-night festival honoring the divine feminine and the Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

DurationNine nights (Pratipada to Navami)
FastingPhalahar fast — all nine days
DeityMaa Durga — nine forms (Navadurga)
Concludes withVijayadashami (Dussehra)

Nine Nights of the Goddess

Navratri honors the nine forms of Goddess Durga — the Navadurga — over nine consecutive nights. Each night is dedicated to a different aspect of the Divine Mother: from Shailaputri (daughter of the mountains) on the first day to Siddhidatri (bestower of all siddhis) on the ninth. The festival commemorates the eighteen-day battle between Maa Durga and the buffalo demon Mahishasura, culminating in her victory on Vijayadashami. Regional expressions are vivid and varied: Gujarat comes alive with Garba and Dandiya Raas, Bengal erects magnificent Durga Puja pandals, and southern states arrange Bommai Kolu (doll arrangements). Throughout India, the nine nights are marked by devotional singing, fasting, and the chanting of the Durga Saptashati.

How to Observe Navratri

GhatasthapanaOn Pratipada (Day 1), establish the sacred Kalash with water, betel nut, and mango leaves, and place a Durga idol or image alongside it.
Navadurga PujaWorship a different form of Durga each day with fresh flowers, incense, and the relevant Durga Saptashati mantras.
Phalahar VratObserve a phalahar (fruit-based) fast for all nine days — avoiding grains, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food.
Akhanda DiyaKeep an earthen lamp continuously lit for all nine nights in front of the Devi idol — its unbroken flame is considered auspicious.
Kanya PujaOn Ashtami or Navami, honor nine young girls as manifestations of Devi with a meal, gifts, and a tika of red kumkum.

What is Navratri?

Navratri (नवरात्रि, meaning 'nine nights') is a major Hindu festival celebrated over nine consecutive nights and ten days, dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother Durga and her nine distinct forms, known as the Navadurga.

Why is it observed?

Navratri symbolizes the triumph of righteousness (Dharma) over cosmic imbalance, commemorating Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. It is observed as a period of spiritual renewal, inner purification, and reverence for the divine feminine energy (Shakti).

How is it observed?

Observances begin with the sacred invocation of the Goddess into a consecrated water pot (Ghatasthapana). Devotees observe fasts, chant hymns from the Devi Mahatmya, perform daily aartis, engage in traditional community folk dances like Garba and Dandiya, and conclude with Kanya Pujan (honoring young girls as forms of the Goddess).

When does it occur?

While four Navratris occur across the year, Shardiya Navratri (in early autumn, during the lunar month of Ashwin) is the most widely celebrated. It starts on the day following Mahalaya Amavasya and shift dates annually based on the lunar calendar.

Key Highlights

Ghatasthapana — The Sacred Invocation

The festival commences on the first day (Pratipada) with Ghatasthapana, a ritual that invokes the presence of the Goddess into a sacred brass or clay pot filled with holy water and grains.

Worship of the Navadurga

Each of the nine nights is dedicated to one of the nine forms of the Divine Mother: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

Garba & Cultural Celebrations

In Western and Pan-Indian traditions, communities gather in festive attire to perform traditional circular dances (Garba and Dandiya Raas) around an illuminated lamp or image of the Goddess.

Kanya Pujan & Vijayadashami

On Ashtami or Navami (eighth/ninth day), nine young girls are revered and served meals as representatives of the Goddess's energy, followed by Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on the tenth day.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Nine Forms of Durga (Navadurga)?

The nine forms worshipped on each successive day are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

What is Ghatasthapana and why is muhurat important?

Ghatasthapana is the ceremonial installation of the sacred pot symbolizing the Goddess. It is traditionally performed during a specific auspicious window (muhurat) on the first day of Navratri.

Why do people fast during Navratri?

Fasting (Vrat) during Navratri is observed as a practice of self-discipline, inner cleansing, and devotion, with many abstaining from grains, onion, and garlic.

What is the difference between Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri?

Shardiya Navratri falls in autumn (Ashwin month) and is celebrated on a grand nationwide scale. Chaitra Navratri falls in spring (Chaitra month) and concludes with Ram Navami.

What is Kanya Pujan?

Kanya Pujan is a tradition observed on Maha Ashtami or Mahanavami where young girls are invited into homes, worshipped with washing of feet, offered prasada, and given gifts.

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