Chaitra Navratri 2018 Celebrations: Maa Durga Wallpaper Photos, Colours, Mantras & Dates To Worship Navadurga
Let us look at the complete 9-day celebration, the dates and the significance and the stipulated colours for the day.
The Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri or the Vasant Navratri will begin from next week i.e March 18- March 26. The celebration will go on for 9 days, worshipping Goddess Durga. On each of the day, a different form of the Goddess is being worshipped. Thus the Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with much enthusiasm like the Sharad Navratri which occurs in the later part of the year. Chaitra Navratri denotes the start of the Spring festival. It is based on the lunar month of Chaitra, of the Hindu calendar. The nine forms of Maa Durga are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri. 2018 Chaitra Navratri Dates & Calendar: Significance and Ghatasthapana Shubh Muhurat Time of Nine-Day Navaratri Festival
While worshipping the Goddess, it is also important to consider the traditions attached with the idol worship. Fasting is a major part of the celebrations. Besides, there are specific colours attached to each day. Also, note that the devotes may not wear the same colour on the day. But it is important that you adorn the colour while you are worshipping the Goddess Durga. Let us look at the complete 9-day celebration, the dates and the significance and the stipulated colours for the day.
Devi Shailputri, Colour- Yellow
The first day of Chaitra Navratri will be honouring Devi Shailputri. It will take place on Sunday, March 18 and in honour the daughter of Lord of Himalayas. She is said to have taken birth in the house of King of Mountains. Devotees perform the significant ritual of Ghatasthapana. The colour for the first day is yellow. So you should wear yellow during the Ghatasthapana puja. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah.
Devi Brahmacharini, Colour- Green
The second day of Chaitra Navratri will be worshipping Devi Brahmacharini. It will take place on Monday, March 19, 2018. Devi Brahmacharini is the unmarried form of the Goddess Parvati. The mythology states she was born to marry Lord Shiva and her unmarried form in the one which is worshipped on this day. The colour of the second day is green. The Devi is said to command her devotees who wear the colour of nature. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah.
Devi Chandraghanta, Colour- Grey
The third day will be worshipping Devi Chandraghanta form of the Goddess. It will take place on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 and in honour of Devi Chandraghanta. After worshipping the unmarried form on day 2, the married form of the Goddess is signified on the third day. Her name describes her adorning jewels- the half-moon shaped like a bell. She started using this after she married Lord Shiva. The colour for the third day of worship is grey. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah.
Devi Kushmanda, Colour- Orange
The fourth day of Chaitra Navratri on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 will see the worship of Devi Kushmanda. This form of the goddess is said to be so powerful that she can reside inside the Sun. so the glow and radiance on her are equated with the brightness of the Sun! She is in fact governed by the planet Sun. And the colour for this day is the colour of the sky- orange. Devotees should wear orange while they worship Devi Kushmanda. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah.
Devi Skandamata, Colour- White
On Chaitra Navratri’s day 5, Thursday, March 22, 2018, Devi Skandamata form will be worshipped. She is said to be the daughter of Lord Skanda (also known as Lord Kartikeya). She sits on a ferocious lion and carries baby on her lap. She is depicted with four hands, carrying lotus in her upper hands. She is also called as Goddess Padmasana as she sits on a lotus flower. The colour for the worship of Devi Skandamata is white. Devotees who worship this form of the Mother Goddess are said to receive the added blessings of Lord Skanda. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah.
Devi Katyayani, Colour- Red
The sixth day of Chaitra Navratri on Friday, March 23, 2018 will see the worship of Devi Kushmanda. She is the daughter of sage Katyayana, who incarnated to help Devas. She governs the largest planet- Jupiter. She too carries a lotus flower but also has a sword in her left hand. One must wear red coloured clothes while worshipping Devi Katyayani. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah.
Devi Kalaratri, Colour- Blue
The seventh day worships the fiercest form of the Goddess- Devi Kalaratri. The seventh day is on Saturday, March 24, 2018. She is said to have peeled off her golden skin while killing the demons. She is black in colour and rides on a donkey. She carries a sword and deadly iron hook in her left hands. On this day one must wear blue so that she protects you from the evils. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah.
Devi Mahagauri, Colour- Pink
Goddess Mahagauri will be worshipped on Sunday, March 25, 2018, the eighth day of Chaitra Navratri. This is just the form of Devi Shailputri who was extremely beautiful. She had a fair complexion and always wore white. She is also called Shwetambardhara. She rides a bull, has four arms, holding a Trishul in one of her right hands. She carries a Damaru in one left hand. One must wear pink on this day to please the Goddess. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah.
Devi Siddhidhatri, Colour- Purple
The last day of Chaitra Navratri on Monday, March 26, 2018, will be worship of Devi Brahmacharini. Mythological significance states, she is the purest form arrived from the left half of Lord Shiva. She was worshipped by Lord Rudra at the beginning of the universe. Let alone the Gods but even demons pray to this form of the goddess and seek her blessings. Lord Shiva is also said to be bestowed by her Siddhis. The colour of the last day is purple. Devotees should wear purple too to get her blessings. The mantra for the day is Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah.
The festival of Chaitra Navratri thus emphasizes on each form of the Goddess and there is a specific way to celebrate each day. The colours to be worn while performing the puja are not the same as the dressing code followed during the time. Fasts are observed and there is a specific time for breaking it too. Happy Chaitra Navratri!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2018 01:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).