Navaratri festival ‘A period of nine nights’ is celebrated by Hindus all over the world in honor of the Goddess Durga, the supreme goddess. During this period, 09 avatars of Goddess Durga – Navadurgas are worshipped. Each day is associated to an avatar of Goddess. Nine Goddesses of Nine days are:

Goddess Shailputri (Day 1)

Mantra: Om Devi Shailputryai Namah

First day – Pratipada is associated with the form Goddess Shailputri (Daughter of Mountains), the first incarnation of Goddess Parvati. In this form, Goddess Durga is worshipped as the daughter of Mountain King – Himalaya. Goddess Shilaputri is considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali and also to be reincarnation of Sati (Lord Shiva’s First wife). The color of the day is yellow, which depicts action and vigor.

Goddess Brahmacharini (Day 2)

Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinya Namah

Second day – Dwitiya, is associated with the Goddess Brahmacharini (Unmarried One), another incarnation of goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati became Yogini, her unmarried self in this form. Goddess Brahmacharini, ‘Mother of devotion and penance’ is worshipped for emancipation, peace and prosperity. The color of the day is green and orange which depicts tranquility and flow of strong energy.

Goddess Chandraghanta (Day 3)

Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantaayai Namah          

Third Day – Tritiya is a day to acknowledge and honor the qualities of inner and outer beauty and to seek the blessings of Goddess Chandraghanta, ‘Destroyer of demons’ for courage and grace in one’s life. Goddess Chandraghanta translated to one with a half moon bell, refers to the distinctive ardhachandra (half-moon) ornaments she wears on her forehead. Goddess Chandraghanta embodies both grace and valore.

Goddess Kushmanda (Day -4)

Mantra: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Kushmandayai Namah          

On Fourth day – Chaturthi, devotees pay homage to Goddess Kushmanda, ‘Goddess of Cosmic Egg’. Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped for fostering the growth of vegetation and abundance on Earth. The color associated with Chaturthi is vibrant orange, mirroring the warmth, vitality, and fertility she brings to the world.

Goddess Skandamata (Day – 5)

Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah          

Goddess Skandamata, ‘Goddess of motherhood and children’ is worshipped on the fifth day – Panchami as the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya). Her white complexion represents the powerful, protective nature of a mother in times of peril. In her depiction, Goddess Skandamata rides a mighty lion, has four arms, and cradles her infant son, symbolizing her nurturing and formidable qualities.

Goddess Katyayani (Day – 6)

Mantra: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah          

Sixth Day – Shashti is the worship day of goddess Katyayani, ‘Goddess of Power’, born to sage Katyayan. She vanquished the buffalo-demon ‘Mahisa’ and is considered one of the most violent forms of Devi, known as the Warrior Goddess. Her courage is symbolized by her red color, representing her fierce warrior aspect.

Goddess Kaalaratri (Day – 7)

Mantra: Om Devi Kaalratriai Namah

Goddess Kaalaratri, ‘Goddess of Auspiciousness and Courage’, regarded as the fiercest incarnation of Durga, is worshipped on the seventh day – Saptami. Legend holds that Goddess Parvati shed her pale complexion to vanquish the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. On this day, the color associated with the goddess is royal blue. The red hue is thought to symbolize devotion and the goddess’s promise of safeguarding her followers from danger.

Goddess Mahagauri (Day – 8)

Mantra: Om Devi Mahagauriai Namah

Goddess Mahagauri, ‘Goddess of Beauty and Women’ is honored on the eighth day – Ashtami. Goddess Mahagauri represents wisdom and tranquility. According to tradition, after Goddess Kaalaratri bathed in the Ganga river, she attained a more radiant complexion. The color pink is associated with this day, symbolizing hope and positivity.

Goddess Siddhiratri (Day – 9)

Mantra: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Siddhidatay Namah

On the final day of the festival, known as Navami or the ninth day, devotees honor Goddess Siddhidhatri, the ‘Goddess of Supernatural Powers or Siddhis & Giver of Perfection’. Seated on a lotus, Goddess Siddhidhatri is believed to grant nine types of Siddhis, Also identified as Mahalakshmi, the color associated with this day is purple, symbolizing a reverence for the beauty of nature. Goddess Siddhiratri is another aspect of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, and is also seen as the Ardhanarishvara form, embodying both Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. Vedic texts suggest that Lord Shiva acquired all Siddhis through devotion to this goddess.