Navratri is one of India’s biggest festivals and celebrations are already in full swing for people around the country. This 9-day event honours the nine incarnations of the goddess Durga and devotees offer prayers to a different manifestation each day. This year Shardiya Navratri begins on the 15th of October and continues until the 24th of October. During the festival, wearing different colours to align with each day is customary, and each colour has its own significance.
To add to the festivities, people also sometimes cook food to align with the special colours of each day. Here are some dishes you can make on each of the nine days of Navratri.
Navratri Day 1: Orange (Shailaputri)
The first-day honours Shailaputri, the "daughter of the mountains," who represents nature and purity. She's the initial incarnation of Goddess Durga. The colour orange is associated with this day and signifies warmth and vivacity, radiating positive vibes. To honour this day, make motichoor laddoos that will bring a smile to the face of everyone you share them with.
Navratri Day 2: White (Brahmacharini)
The second day pays homage to Goddess Brahmacharini, denoting austerity and wisdom. She is the second form of Goddess Durga and adorns herself in all-white attire, symbolsing peace, purity, knowledge, intelligence, and enlightenment. Today, make a snow white makhana kheer to bring peace in your home and honour Bramacharini.
Navratri Day 3: Red (Chandraghanta)
Chandraghanta, with a crescent moon on her forehead, is honoured on the third day. She embodies bravery and beauty as the third incarnation of Goddess Durga. Clad in red and riding a tiger, red represents passion and love. To celebrate, make a vibrant beetroot juice, or a cooling beetroot khadi to appease Chandraghanta.
Navratri Day 4: Royal Blue (Kushmanda)
Day four honours the creator of the universe, Kushmanda. She's the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga, symbolising joy and creativity. Dressed in royal blue and riding a lion, this colour signifies stability, strength, elegance, dignity, and monarchy. Make a blueberry smoothie bowl or enjoy some dried prunes on this day to mark the occasion.
Navratri Day 5: Yellow (Skandamata)
Skandamata, the "mother of Skanda (Kartikeya)," is revered on the fifth day. She represents compassion and motherhood as the fifth form of Goddess Durga, adorned in yellow attire while riding a lion. Yellow embodies joy, optimism, happiness, cheerfulness, and brightness. Make a cheery kesar kheer today to sweeten the occasion.
Navratri Day 6: Green (Katyayani)
The sixth day honours Katyayani, symbolising bravery and triumph. She is the sixth incarnation of Goddess Durga, dressed in green and riding a lion. Green signifies harmony, growth, fertility, and nature. Invoke Katyayani’s protection by making lauki halwa today and honouring the goddess with a healthy and delcious treat.
Navratri Day 7: Grey (Kalaratri)
The seventh day is dedicated to Kalaratri, known as 'the death of time.' She represents emancipation and destruction as the seventh incarnation of Goddess Durga, dressed in grey and riding a donkey. Grey embodies subtlety, mystery, vastness, and the ability to overcome difficulties. Embody this serenity in a simple sabudana kheer to channel Kalaratri’s favour.
Navratri Day 8: Purple (Mahagauri)
Mahagauri, meaning 'one with a fair complexion,' is venerated on the eighth day, symbolising elegance and beauty as the eighth form of Goddess Durga. She rides a bull and wears purple, a colour associated with wealth, opulence, and aristocracy. Today make a simple baingan bharta to honour Mahgauri or enjoy some refreshing jamun juice.
Navratri Day 9: Peacock Green (Siddhidatri)
The ninth day celebrates Siddhidatri, 'the one who grants all siddhis (supernatural powers).' She is the ninth incarnation of Goddess Durga, representing completion and perfection, adorned in peacock green attire while riding a lion or a lotus. Peacock green symbolises diversity, abundance and the majesty of nature. Make dishes with dill leaves or enjoy peacock green coloured barfis to mark the day.