Navaratri

Navaratri (Navarātri) — "nine nights," one of the most widely observed Hindu festivals, devoted to honouring Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Of the year's four Navaratri, two are widely observed — the spring one (Chaitra Navaratri, March-April) and the autumn one (Ashwin Navaratri, September-October). Tradition connects the nine nights with nine forms of Durga, through which she defeats demons.

Place in the system

The festival of Navaratri is one of the most widely observed festivals of Hinduism. It begins with Shukla Pratipada and runs nine tithis in a row, which is why each year it "floats" on the Gregorian calendar within its lunar month.

By the tradition of the Navadurga, the nine nights of Navaratri are devoted to nine forms of Durga, divided into three triads: the first three days to forms of Durga, the next three to forms of Lakshmi, the last three to forms of Saraswati.

1. Shailaputri — first day, the form linked to the mountain.
2. Brahmacharini — second day, the form of austerity.
3. Chandraghanta — third day, the form with the crescent bell.
4. Kushmanda — fourth day, the form that created the universe.
5. Skandamata — fifth day, the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya).
6. Katyayani — sixth day, the daughter of the sage Katyayana.
7. Kalaratri — seventh day, the form that destroys darkness.
8. Mahagauri — eighth day, the form of purity.
9. Siddhidatri — ninth day, the form that grants perfection.

Each form has its own mantra; in a number of regional traditions the day is also matched with a colour and a particular offering. The eighth day is Maha Ashtami (shukla ashtami), the ninth is Maha Navami; in Chaitra Navaratri this is Rama Navami, the day of Rama's appearance. The culmination of the autumn cycle falls on the next, tenth day — Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra), which follows right after the nine nights rather than being part of them.

Practical meaning

Navaratri is a favourable time for spiritual practice, for honouring the feminine forms of the Divine (Shakti), for inner transformation. Tradition holds these nine nights especially favourable for sadhana.

The Navaratri background works through the feminine principle. Nine nights are a time when feminine power (Shakti) shows itself especially vividly.

In Indian folk practice Navaratri is nine nights of fasting, prayer, and dance (Garba in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Bengal). It is one of India's most widely celebrated festivals.

In daily practice

Navaratri is nine days of practice. If you follow the Hindu tradition, these days suit deepening spiritual practice — meditation, mantra, fasting.

Navaratri also suits honouring the feminine deities: the first triad of days to Durga, the second to Lakshmi, the third to Saraswati.

Navaratri also suits fasting: many fast for all nine days, restricting food and entertainment.

How much your particular day within Navaratri is yours is refined by Tara Bala. Navaratri sets a background of feminine power, and the personal layer shows how far it matches your life today.