Every year, as autumn begins to caress the Indian subcontinent, millions eagerly await Navratri – a grand festival that extends over nine nights and ten days. It’s a time of music, dance, and worship. And, one of the most anticipated aspects of Navratri is the tradition of donning specific colours on each of the nine days. In this piece, we will dive deep into the beautiful spectrum of Navratri colours, illuminating the significance behind each and offering trendy style tips for those wishing to merge tradition with fashion. Certainly! Navratri is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, not just in India but across the globe where the Indian diaspora has a significant presence. Let’s delve deeper into this festival’s rich tapestry.
Navratri, when broken down, means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit ('nav' = nine, 'ratri' = nights). This festival spans nine nights and ten days and is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Durga. Durga is considered the universal mother and represents power, valour, and devotion.
Navratri commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, signifying the triumph of good over evil. The ten days are symbolic of the time the battle took place, and the tenth day, known as Dussehra, is when the goddess claimed victory.
Many devotees observe a fast during Navratri. Depending on personal beliefs and regional practices, some might fast for all nine days, while others may choose to fast only on the first and last days. The food consumed during these fasts is special, as many regular ingredients are replaced by alternatives like 'sabudana' (sago) or 'kuttu ka atta' (buckwheat flour).
Before we plunge into the cascade of colors, it’s essential to understand the festival’s cultural roots. Navratri, which translates to ‘nine nights’, is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. Each night venerates one of her nine avatars, and as a symbolic gesture, every avatar is associated with a unique color.
➤ Yellow Symbolizing energy and happiness, yellow is worn on the first day to honor the Shailaputri form of Durga. Incorporate this joyous color in your wardrobe with a trendy yellow kurta or a vibrant saree.
➤ Green signifies growth and harmony, and on this day, Brahmacharini, the second form of Durga, is worshipped. Think green bangles or a cool green choli to join in.
➤ Grey Representing the transformation of calm to turbulent, grey marks the worship of Chandraghanta. A grey maxi dress or a skirt can be your go-to choice
➤ Orange Symbolizing enthusiasm and creativity, Kushmanda, the fourth avatar, is venerated. Orange anarkalis or lehengas can set the festive mood right.
➤ White Celebrating purity and peace, the fifth day is dedicated to Skandamata. Embrace white with a graceful saree or salwar suit.
➤ Red Red, the color of passion and power, marks the day for Katyayani. Think red embroidered gowns or traditional sarees.
➤ Blue Serenity and the vastness of the universe are symbolized by blue for Kalaratri. A blue indo-western dress or accessories can be your pick.
➤ Pink Exuding hope and freshness, pink is for the Mahagauri form. Pink tunics or palazzos can be both chic and festive.
➤ Purple Signifying ambition and power, the final day venerates Siddhidatri. Purple potlis or a deep purple gown can be stunning.
Each of the nine colors corresponds to a particular form of Goddess Durga worshiped on that specific day. The colors serve as a visual and symbolic reminder of the divine traits and stories associated with each avatar.
It's believed that wearing the specific color on its designated day can channel the energy (or the "Shakti") associated with that day's form of Durga. This Shakti can benefit the devotee by harmonizing their energy with the universe.
Adopting the color of the day creates a sense of unity among the devotees. When you see people around you wearing the same color, it fosters a feeling of collective worship and celebration.
Some believe that the colors are also representative of nature and its changing seasons. For example, green symbolizes the lushness of nature, while white stands for purity and peace.
The colors also mirror the diverse aspects of life. For instance, red symbolizes vigor and passion, blue exudes calmness and the vastness of the universe, and yellow signifies brightness and happiness.
The sequence of the colors is also significant. Starting with brighter colors and gradually moving towards deeper shades can be symbolic of a devotee's spiritual journey from the material to the divine.
From a more contemporary perspective, the tradition of wearing different colors each day provides an opportunity for devotees to express their unique styles. It makes the festival vibrant and visually appealing.
Colors are known to impact our emotions and psychology. For instance, blue has a calming effect, while red can evoke feelings of warmth and energy. By wearing the color of the day, devotees might also experience the positive psychological effects associated with it.
Enhance your Navratri colors with oxidized jewelry, jhumkas, or tribal necklaces.
Embellished juttis or mojaris can add the final touch to your ensemble.
Try braids with flowers or a simple bun adorned with gajra.
Each of the nine nights of Navratri is dedicated to a different avatar of Goddess Durga. The avatars are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
While fasting, people abstain from eating meat, onion, garlic, and even common grains. They opt for food items like sabudana (sago), kuttu (buckwheat), and singhara (water chestnut).
Navratri is celebrated differently across India's various states. For instance, it's observed as Durga Puja in West Bengal, while in Punjab, many people fast only on the first and the last day.
Originating from Gujarat, Garba and Dandiya Raas are popular dance forms associated with Navratri. 'Garba' is derived from 'Garbha Deep', meaning a lamp inside a perforated earthen pot, which dancers place on their heads.
In North India, especially in places like Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, Navratri sees the enactment of Ramlila - a dramatic retelling of the life of Lord Rama. This culminates in the festival of Dussehra, marking the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.
The day after Navratri ends is called Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami. This day is celebrated as the day when Goddess Durga defeated the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
In states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, people display dolls on stepped platforms, known as Golu, during Navratri.
The immersion of Durga idols in rivers and lakes during Durga Puja has raised environmental concerns in recent years. As a result, many communities are now opting for eco-friendly materials for making the idols.
While the Navratri during September-October, known as Sharad Navratri, is the most popularly celebrated, there's another Navratri known as Chaitra Navratri that takes place around March-April.
