Nine days, nine avatars of Goddess Durga: Significance behind each Navaratri day explained

This year Navaratri, one of the most celebrated and revered Hindu festivals, will be observed from September 26 till October 5 for nine days to worship nine different forms of Goddess Durga.

In Sanskrit, the word Navaratri means 'nine nights' - nava stands for nine, whereas ratri means nights. Each day is associated with an incarnation of the Goddess Durga.

As per the tradition, the first three days of Navaratri are dedicated to Durga or Kali, next three to Lakshmi and remaining three to Saraswati.


In the Puranas, it is mentioned that there are three dimensions of Shakti, the feminine energy:

• Mahakali, which represents strength and power
• Mahalakshmi, which represents wealth, passion and material well-being
• and Mahasaraswati, which stands for knowledge and dissolution

The tenth day is called Vijayadashmi or Dusshra. The word 'Vijaya' means victory, so he day celebrates the victory of good over evil as Lord Rama destroyed the ten-headed demon king, Ravana.

The festival Navaratri is celebrated for nine days as each day is associated with an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Here is a detailed look at the significance behind the nine days of Navaratri.

The first day of the festival is dedicated to the mountain Goddess Shailputri. On the second day, devotees of Goddess Durga worship Brahmacharini, an avatar of Goddess Parvati which represents loyalty, wisdom and knowledge.

On the third day of Navaratri, Chandraghanta is celebrated and worshipped across the country by devotees of Goddess Durga. Goddess Parvati is worshipped in the form of Devi Chandraghanta as the goddess of forgiveness and peace.

On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda, a happy manifestation of Goddess Durga, is worshipped. She is believed to be the creator of the universe.

On day five and six, devotees pray to Skandamata and warrior Goddess Katyayani. Goddess Skandamata is believed to be the Goddess of love and motherhood, whereas Goddess Katyayani, known as one of the fiercest forms of Durga, is destroyer of all evil.

Devotees worship Goddess Kaalratri, who is the destroyer of ignorance and darkness, and Mahagauri - who has the power to fulfil all the desires of her devotees - on the seventh and eight day of Navaratri.

On the last day of Navaratri, devotees worship Goddess Siddhidatri. The word Siddhi means Perfection, whereas the word Datri means 'the one who gives or grants'. She is also known as Goddess Lakshmi.

Many devotees often celebrate Navaratri by fasting for nine nights. The festival concludes on the final day which is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.