Navratri: 9 Days of Divine Feminine Worship

Navratri, meaning "nine nights," is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, honoring the nine forms (Navadurga) of Goddess Durga. Celebrated twice a year - Chaitra Navratri in spring (March-April) and Sharad Navratri in autumn (September-October) - the festival represents the triumph of divine feminine power (Shakti) over evil. Sharad Navratri, falling after the monsoons, is the more widely observed of the two and culminates in Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

Each of the nine nights is dedicated to a specific form of the Goddess, and each day has an associated color that devotees wear. Day 1 honors Shailputri (daughter of the mountains) - wear orange and offer jasmine flowers. Day 2 is for Brahmacharini (the ascetic goddess) - wear white and offer sugar. Day 3 celebrates Chandraghanta (the fierce protector) - wear royal blue and offer milk-based sweets. Day 4 honors Kushmanda (creator of the universe) - wear yellow and offer malpua. Day 5 is dedicated to Skandamata (mother of Kartikeya) - wear green and offer bananas. Day 6 celebrates Katyayani (the warrior goddess) - wear grey and offer honey. Day 7 honors Kalaratri (the destroyer of darkness) - wear purple and offer jaggery. Day 8 is Mahagauri (the radiant goddess) - wear peacock green and offer coconut. Day 9, Mahanavami, honors Siddhidatri (bestower of supernatural powers) - wear pink and offer sesame seeds.