Night

The first night of Navratri is devoted to the worshiping of Goddess Shailputri . She has manifestation of Green Light with her. This light helps to reduce anger in Human beings. This energy manifests in Anahata or Heart charkra. The organs related to this chakra are heart, back, shoulder, arms, hand, Lungs and Chest area. The gland associated with this chakra is Thymus gland. This chakra relates to Love, ability of an individual to give and take unconditionally. It enhances listening capability of individuals. Thus mediating on this chakra help in removing emotional blocs, treating traumas and healing of diseases related to concerned organs, glands and system effectively. This is the starting point of their spiritual discipline. 

The second night of navratri is associated with Goddess Bhramcharni , who is the store house of knowledge and wisdom. She has manifestation of Blue Light with her that personifies love and loyalty and empowers actualization of goals. The organs related to this chakra are throat, lung and neck. The gland associated with this chakra is thyroid gland. The upper digestive tract is also associated with this chakra. This energy resides in Visudha or Throat chakra. it blesses the worshiper with awareness about spirit of truth and purpose, ability to communicate about one’s needs and requirements. It also helps in healing of diseases related to concerned organs, glands and system effectively. 

The third night of navratri is associated with Goddess Chandraghanta who is giver of bliss, peace, serenity and growth in activities, purpose of life. She has manifestation of red light with pink hue in her. Residing in Mooladhar or root chakra this energy provides the worshiper with powers of self awareness, stability and security. The organs related to this chakra are Kidney, bladder, pelvis, vertebral column, hips and legs. The gland associated with this chakra is Adrenal gland. The system associated with this chakra is excretory system. It provides strength and courage to native. With this It also help in healing of diseases related to concerned organs, glands and system effectively. 

The fourth night of navratri is associated with Goddess Kushmanda who is destroyer sorrows of the mind and ego by harmonizing the macro-universe with the inner micro-universe of the individual. She has manifestation of Orange Light with golden hue that personifies creativity and respect for others creative works, destroying false ego in an individual. The organs related to this chakra are uterus, large bowel, lower abdomen, ovaries, testes, sexual organs. Reproductive system is also associated with this chakra. This energy resides in swadhisthan or Sacral chakra. It endows the worshipper with virtue of Self respect. It also helps in healing of diseases related to concerned organs, glands and system effectively. 

The fifth night of navratri is associated with Goddess Skandmata who transform energies provided by other goddesses in form of wealth and strength for native. She has manifestation of indigo light with silver hue . The organs related to this chakra are eyes, lower head, nose and ears. Pitutary Gland is also associated with this chakra. Residing In Agya or Brow chakra this energy provides the worshiper with virtue of self responsibility- responsibility to oneself to follow the soul path and trusting one’s own intuition. It also helps in healing of diseases related to concerned organs, glands and system effectively. 

The Sixth night of navratri is associated with Goddess Kaatyayani who gives boons and fulfills wishes of the native. She has manifestation of Yellow Light with her that personifies self worth, intellect, self confidence and moral principles. The organs related to this chakra are liver, spleen, stomach and l intestine gall bladderand middle back. The gland associated with this chakra is Pancreas. This energy resides in Manipur or Solar plexus chakra. It endows the worshipper with virtue of how one feel about himself and how others perceive him. It also helps in healing of diseases related to concerned organs, glands and system effectively. 

The Seventh night of navratri is associated with Goddess Kaalratri who destroys fear and ignorance of the worshiper and blesses the individual with fortitude and fearlessness. She has manifestation of voilet light with purple-blackish hue. The organs related to this chakra are Top of the head, brain and Nervous System. The gland associated with this chakra is pineal Gland. Residing in Shastrara or Crown chakra this energy provides the worshiper with higher consciousness or spiritual awareness. It helps in spiritual upheaval of individual atma with Parmatma. It also helps in healing of diseases related to concerned organs, glands and system effectively. 

The eighth night of navratri is associated with Goddess Mahagauri who destroys all sins of devotees and worshiper gets purified in all respects. She channels the thought waves of the devotees towards the path of the virtue and destroys Asat. Cumulative energy manifested in whole body and being reflected signifies balance and creativity in highest form. 

The ninth night of navratri is associated with Goddess Siddhidatri who provides the worshiper with all sidhis, beings fulfillment and satisfaction in individual lives. This energy is radiant in form of golden light over crown chakra instilling service to God and libration of soul from the vicious circle of life and death. 

Patterns

Punjab

The people from Punjab perform fasts to show their devout austerity to Goddess Durga- the symbol of Shakti or power. The fast is performed for the first seven days, which breaks on the eighth day of Navratri by organizing a Bhandara or feast for nine young girls known as Kanjak. They are also gifted red Chunris or Dupattas. A Jagrata is another special feature to them, where devotional songs are sung in the honor of Goddess and keep awake the whole night.

Himachal Pradesh

It is actually the most important festival for the Himachal Hindus. The tenth day of the festival is popularly known as Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh. While Navaratri festivity ends everywhere on the tenth day, it marks the beginning of the festival in this state. People gather together in a pompous mood, marking the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after killing the demon, Ravana. On Dussehra, the deities from temples are taken out to roads in processions.

Gujarat

Gujarat is the centroid of the most vibrant Navratri celebration. A clay pot known as Garbha or womb is the source of life on earth. Women dance around the water-filled Garbha wearing vibrant costumes. This dance is also termed as Garbha that derives its name from the iconic claypot. Dandiya Raas is another contemporary attraction of the festival where people dance in coordination with each other. In Dandiya Raas event, sticks of equal length are used for the dance. Overall, the festive mood in Gujarat is a colourful affair.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra regards Navaratri as a good time to initiate things. Some prefer to buy a car, or even venture into the investing arena. The Maharashtrians find it to be an auspicious time. Married women exchange the gesture of ‘Saumangalyam’ by putting Haldi and Kumkum onto their foreheads. Because of Maharashtra’s proximity to Gujarat, both the states bear resemblance in its festive celebration. Each family in the two states get drenched in the mood of joy and celebration.

West Bengal

In West Bengal, Navaratri has its synonym as Durga Puja. Durga Puja is considered to be the most joyous and important festival for the Bengalis. It is celebrated with a great pomp and lavishness. This is a temporal sight when the festival begins from the sixth day of Navaratri 2016-Shashthi. Maa Durga is welcomed to her maternal home from the heavens. Idols of Goddess Durga along with her children-Kartik, Ganesh, Lakshmi and Saraswati are sculpted in the Durga Puja. The festival becomes worth considering if one talks about Navaratri.

Karnataka

The celebrations in Karnataka dates back to the era of Raja Wodeyar. Although, the purpose of celebration is the same i.e. triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura-the resident of Mysore, the celebration is done according to the traditions of the Vijaynagar empire of 17th century. Processions of elephants are taken to roads. Exhibition of craft artefacts are an important feature of the Carnatic Navaratri.

Kerala

Kerala celebrates the last three days of Navaratri i.e. Ashtami, Navami and Vijaya Dashami. Being the most literate state in the country, this states the reason behind its literacy (piously). Since, Goddess Saraswati is worshiped during the last three days, they firmly believe that Saraswati Mata will grant them the wisdom of learning and knowledge.

They place the books and musical instruments in front of the Goddess on Ashtami. They pray the Goddess for granting them knowledge and education. On Vijaya Dashami, they take the books out for learning.

Tamil Nadu

The Dravidian state devotes the nine days of Navaratri to Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. Women belonging to the Iyer community invite their married female acquaintances and gift them symbols of marital goodwill- bangles, earrings etc. A special dish ‘Sundal’ is prepared of lentil seeds and pulses for the guests. Some people also creates a special makeshift staircase ‘Golu’ that consists of nine steps symbolizing the nine days of Navaratri. Idols of Gods and Goddesses are placed on the stairs that are handed over from generation to generation.

Andhra Pradesh

Navaratri is celebrated as ‘Bathukamma Panduga’ in Andhra Pradesh. Bathukamma Panduga literally means ‘Come Alive Mother’. The term celebrates universal motherhood. Women prepare ‘Bathukka’ which is a beautiful stack of seasonal flowers which often appear like a pot. They have the ritual to position themselves in the centre and sing songs dedicated to Goddess Shakti. After performing the ritual, they float away the Bathukkas in lake water.

Navaratri is the festival that represents the omnipotent motherhood. It takes the form of Maha Gauri, Goddess Durga or Katyayani Maa. Be it in any form, the festival signifies the triumph of good over evil through the hands of the supreme mother.

The nine days is a period to celebrate purity and goodness. To know more about the spiritual proceedings of Navaratri, click here.

The Goddess is always present within us to enlighten.