P.V.Anandpadmanabhan

 

The Navratri festival and Durga Puja is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga  and celebrated all over India with much fanfare. The festival is observed for nine nights and most importantly nine forms of the Devi are worshipped.

 

On Navratri, each Goddess of Navadurga is worshipped and puja begins with Shailputri Maa and ends with Siddhidhatri Mata. Dussehra falls on the 10th day and is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra. Every year on Navratri eve, devotees especially the women folks are excited to know the list of nine different colors that they are supposed to wear on each day of the festival.  The nine colors for this Navratri to be dressed by devotees as well as Goddess Durga with their significance.

 

First Day – Ghatasthapana / Pratipada (25 September, 2014) – YELLOW

 

Shailaputri Maa is the first amongst Navadurga which is worshipped. On the first day of Navratri, this Goddess is dressed in a ‘Grey‘saree and on Ghatasthapana which is done through installation of earthen pot. The colour to wear on the first day for devotees is ‘Yellow‘.

 

Second Day – Dwitiya (26 September, 2014) – Green Bharmacharini is the second form of mother goddess which is worshipped on the second day. It is believed that this goddess enlightens elegant forms with great power, divine and spiritual grace. The goddess is dressed in ‘Orange’ attire. The colour of the day for devotees to wear on this auspicious day is ‘Green‘.

 

Third Day – Tritiya (27 September, 2014) – GREY

 

Chandraghanta is the third appearance of the goddess who symbolises peace, serenity, beauty and bravery in one’s life. She is decorated with a ‘White‘ saree and on the third day of Navratri. Aswayuja Shukla Thadiya is done that is Gauri Vrata. Sindhoor Tritiya Sowbhagya Teej is observed on this day. ‘Grey‘ is the colour of the day for devotees.

 

Fourth Day – Chaturthi (28 September, 2014) – ORANGE

 

 Kushmanda is the fourth form of goddess that is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She is mainly considered as the creator of the universe. Mother goddess is drape with ‘Red‘ coloured saree and on this day Bhouma Chaturthi is followed. The colour for the fourth day is ‘Orange‘.

 

Fifth Day – Panchami (29 September, 2014) – WHITE

 

 Skandamata is a face of Maa Durga always known for demolishing the demons. She is dressed in a ‘Blue’ saree and on this day and the Upang Lalitha Gauri Vrata is observed. On the fifth day of Navratri that is known as Panchami, devotees are supposed to wear ‘White’.

 

Sixth Day – Shashti (30 September, 2014) – RED

 

 Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. She is regarded as an avatar of Goddess Durga. She is dressed in ‘Yellow‘ attire on the sixth day of Navratri and when Maha Shashti is celebrated. People are supposed to wear ‘Red‘ on this day.

 

Seventh Day – Saptami – (1 October, 2014) – BLUE

 

 Kaalratri is the seventh figure of Goddess Durga and is supposed to protect all her devotees from trouble and evil and grant them with freedom and happiness. The goddess on this day is supposed to be adorned with a ‘Green‘ coloured saree. Maha Saptami is the beginning of Utsava Puja and the colour of the day must be ‘Blue‘ for devotees.

 

Eighth Day – Ashtami (2 October, 2014) – PINK

 

 Maha Gauri is worshipped on the eighth day and is regarded for forgiving her devotees’ sins and helping them to get purified. the goddess is dressed in ‘Peacock Green‘ colour on Durga Ashtami. On this day, Saraswati Mata Puja is done whole-heartedly and ‘Pink‘ is regarded as the colour of the day for all.

 

Ninth Day/ Tenth Day – Navami / Dashmi / Dussehra (3 October, 2014) – PURPLE

 

Siddhidatri is the form of Maa Durga for the ninth day of Navratri and is known to have great supernatural powers. This miraculous goddess is dressed in ‘Purple‘ attire and Maha Navami puja is done. Kanya puja is also done on this auspicious day, giving importance to females. ‘Purple‘ is the colour of the day for ardent devotees as well. This year, Navami and Dashmi / Dussehra fall on the same day that is October 3.

 

Happy Navratri to all.