Navratri 2019: Know Significance Of Nine Days And Goddess Durga Avatars

Sep 30, 2019, 11:49 IST

Navratri 2019: Navratri is one of the most important annual festivals celebrated with great joy and reverence by Hindus across the world. This year, the festival of Sharad Navratri or Maha Navratri dates are from September 29 and ends on October 7, and the 10th day that is Vijayadashami and Dussehra falls on October 8.

The festival holds significance as it marks the end of the monsoons and the Pitru Paksh where we first pay respects to our ancestors and the advent of the Ashwinu or the Ashwija month.

A festival which marks the victory of good over evil, there are two popular stories which mark the significance of this festival—One where Shakti takes the form of Durga and defeats the demon Mahishasura after a nine-day battle and kills him on the 10th day and the other story is where Lord Rama kills Ravana on the 10th of the battle and comes home victorious on Vijayadasami day.

As goddess Durga is worshipped for nine days, have a look at the significance of each day. On each day, people keep fast and wear different colours of dress that is representative of the day.

Day 1: Shailputri

This goddess durga avatar, called Shailputri, is the embodiment of the collective power of tri-gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. She is worshipped as the consort of Shiva.

Day 2: Brahmcharini

This avatar is celebrated as she is the way to emancipation or moksha. The goddess shows happiness, prosperity and grace.

Day 3: Chandraghanta

On the third day, goddess in the avatar of Chandraghanta is worshipped. She is a symbol of bravery and is worshipped for peace and prosperity.

Day 4: Kushmunda

This avatar of goddess Durga is worshiped as she is believed to be the creator of the universe. Traditions say that she created the universe through laughter.

Day 5: Skand Mata

She is called the mother of Skanta or Karthikeya as Gods had chosed her to fight the demon. This avatar is worshipped and shows that a mother rises to the occassion whenever there is a need to protect her child.

Day 6: Katyayani

It is believed that the goddess was born to the great sage, Kata, as avatar of Durga. She is donned in orange and that exhibits immense courage.

Day 7: Kalratri

This is the most fierce avatar of the goddess. The avatar has the goddess in dark complexion, and disheveled hair. She is dressed in white, a colour that shows peace.