During Durga Puja festival, wearing dresses according to Navratri colours is quite popular. For the nine forms of Shakti (also known as Navdurga), nine different coloured dresses are worn by the devotees on each day of the festival to worship and please the divine feminine power. They are – Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Royal Blue, White, Grey and Green.

The festival is about celebrating the manifestation of Goddess Durga in nine different avatars – Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Navaratri celebrations vary from region to region in the country. One of the most followed traditions, especially in states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, is wearing clothes according to Navratri colour of the day and observing fast in honour of the respective form of Navdurga.

Day 1 September 21 – Yellow
Day 2 September 22 – Green
Day 3 September 23 – Grey
Day 4 September 24 – Orange
Day 5 September 25 – White
Day 6 September 26 – Red
Day 7 September 27 – Royal Blue
Day 8 September 28 – Pink
Day 9 September 29 – Purple

The festival of Sharad Navratri is about the victory of good over evil. Goddess Durga killed the mighty demon king, Mahishasura when all Gods failed to save the universe from his tyranny. As per Rambha Kalpa, Goddess Durga in the form of 18 handed Ugrachandi killed Mahishasura. However, as per Neelalohita Kalpa, 16 handed Bhadrakali killed Mahishasura, and as per Shwetavaraha Kalpa, ten-handed Katyayani killed Mahishasura. The ferocious form of Maa Durga is worshipped by devotees to seek blessings for a happy and prosperous life. The rituals during Navratri festival is not just limited to dressing according to sacred colours but also sees nine-day long religious fastings, recitation of Durga Saptashati and Kanya Puja among others. We wish all the devotees of Maa Durga, a very Happy Navratri 2017.