Navaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Durga Mata, a feature of Adishakti. During the span of 9 nights and 10 days. It falls two times a year, first in the month of Chaitra (March/April) and second in the month of Ashwin (September/October). This month we will celebrate Chaitra Navaratri 2024, starting from April 9- (Ugadi) to April 17- (Ram Navami).
Each day people worship 9 different forms of Maa Durga known as Navadurga. The nine days of Navaratri are made to kill the tiredness of people and maintain a cool mind for the rest of the year. During Navaratri people participate in many unique things, some show their happiness in the festival by fasting for 9 days and some offer arti and dance to Goddess Durga. Everyone prioritizes worshipping Goddess Durga or Shakti, representing the universe’s energy.
The Colors, Rhythms, and Traditions of Festival
In celebration of Navaratri, each day is associated with a unique color, showing different qualities. Devotees usually wear the color for a particular day’s pooja and also offer colorful flowers to Maa Durga forms.
| Date | Day | Color | Pooja |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 (first day) | Tuesday | Red | Maa Shailputri |
| April 10 (second day) | Wednesday | Royal Blue | Goddess Brahmacharini |
| April 11 (third day) | Thursday | Yellow | Maa Chandraghanta |
| April 12 (fourth day) | Friday | Green | Mata Kushmanda |
| April 13 (fifth day) | Saturday | Sober Grey | Skanda Mata |
| April 14 (sixth day) | Sunday | Orange | Maa Katyayani |
| April 15 (seventh day) | Monday | White | Goddess Kalaratri |
| April 16 (eighth day) | Tuesday | Pink | Mahagauri Maa |
| April 17 (ninth day) | Wednesday | Sky Blue | Maa Siddhidatri |
Dance Beats of Navaratri: Garba, Dandiya & Raas
Navaratri is a festival of joy, it comes with rhythmic beats of Garba, and Dandiya Raas.
Garba is an energetic dance, it is a Gujarat folk dance in which people move in a circle clapping their hands and syncing with the beat of traditional music.
Dandiya Raas is a famous dance form in India people enjoy Dandiya Raas nights after pooja for all nine nights. It is all about matching the dance steps with the tune of the music and playing with two sticks.
History: Dandiya was performed by men for the practice of swords in ancient times, it was done with long sticks in hand which represents the Goddess sword. The text about Dandiya is mentioned in “Natyashastra” by Brahma Muni
Here is a Songs playlist for Navaratri Garba and Dandiya night.
- “Pankhida” – Rajesh Mishra
- “Dholida” – Loveyatri
- “Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje” – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- “Chogada” – Loveyatri
- “Rangtaari” – Loveyatri
- “Dholida” – Gangubai Kathiawadi
- “Kesariyo Rang” – Asees K, Dev N
- “Nagada Sang Dhol” – Ram-Leela
- “Ghoomar” – Padmaavat
- “Ramti Aave” – Abhinav Shekhar
Fasting – Friendly Dishes for Navaratri
people fast for 9 days to honor Goddess Durga. In the below-mentioned dishes, ingredients are taken focusing on fasting rules during the festival.
1. Sabudana khichdi
Ingredients: sabudana, potatoes, roasted peanuts, green chilies, cumin seeds, ghee.
2. Singhare ki Poori
Ingredients: singhare ka atta, mashed potatoes, cumin powder, edible rock salt, chopped green chilies, oil, warm water.
3. Aloo Jeera
Ingredients: small potatoes, cumin seed, curry leaves, oil, salt, coriander leaves.
4. Makhana Kheer
Ingredients: makhana, milk, ghee, almonds, cashews, saffron, sugar, rose petals.
5. Rajgira Paratha
Ingredients: rajgira flour, boiled potatoes, green chili, cumin powder, rock salt, and coriander leaves.
6. Kuttu ki Pakodi
Ingredients: kuttu flour, rajgira flour, boiled potatoes, coriander leaves, green chili, salt.
7. Kesar Singhare ki Kheer
Ingredients: full cream milk, singhare ka atta, ghee, kesar strands, sugar, grated coconut, cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, cardamom powder.
8. Sabudana Vada
Ingredients: sabudana, potatoes, crushed peanuts, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, cumin seeds, lemon juice, sugar, salt.
9. Kuttu ka Halva
Ingredients: kuttu flour, almond powder, almonds, sugar, rajgira flour, ghee, water.
10. Sabudana Kheer
Ingredients: sabudana, water, milk, sugar, raisins, saffron, almonds, cashews.
11. Vrat ki Kadhi
Ingredients: fresh curd, water, oil, besan, cumin seeds, ginger, chili, rock salt, sugar, coriander leaves, ghee.
Conclusion:
Navaratri is full of fun and celebration. people enjoy waking up early and decorating houses and temples for festivals. Every morning, they get ready wearing new clothes according to the color theme for pooja make various delicious prasad according to the day, and offer prayers to Maa Durga, singing different aartis and folk songs associated with their culture. Every night after aarti they get ready for garba and dandiya nights with full energy and enjoy the great celebration of Navaratri. Indians enjoy all nine days and on the ninth day, they celebrate Ram Navmi.