Sharada Navratri is upon is!
We celebrate 9 of the Goddess Durga's emanations this year Oct 15th - Oct 24th
We wrote about easy ways to celebrate or incorporate Navratri into your practice in this article last year.
This year, we will introduce you to the 9 emanations, their colors, favorite offerings, and a mantra for each.
As well as celebrating the Goddess Durga, another great way to celebrate is to name 9 aspects of your own divine feminine power, and give offerings and thanks to each. You may draw on Durga for inspiration as you do this.
The Nine Forms of Durga
Day 1 - Pratipada: Shailaputri Devi
Color: Orange
Presiding Deity: Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountains
Mantra: "ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः" (Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah)
Offerings: Offer milk, fruits, and freshly harvested grains.
Day 2 - Dwitiya: Brahmacharini Devi
Color: White
Presiding Deity: Brahmacharini, the goddess who practices penance
Mantra: "ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः" (Om Devi Brahmacharyayai Namah)
Offerings: Offer sugar or sweets made from milk.
Day 3 - Tritiya: Chandraghanta Devi
Color: Red
Presiding Deity: Chandraghanta, the goddess with a moon-shaped bell
Mantra: "ॐ देवी चंद्रघण्टायै नमः" (Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah)
Offerings: Offer milk, sweets, and foods that are the color yellow.
Day 4 - Chaturthi: Kushmanda Devi
Color: Royal Blue
Presiding Deity: Kushmanda, the creator of the universe
Mantra: "ॐ देवी कुष्माण्डायै नमः" (Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah)
Offerings: Offer Malpua or any sweet dish / dessert.
Day 5 - Panchami: Skandamata Devi
Color: Yellow
Presiding Deity: Skandamata, the mother of Skanda (Lord Kartikeya)
Mantra: "ॐ देवी स्कंदमात्रे नमः" (Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah)
Offerings: Offer bananas or any fruit, and foods the color red.
Day 6 - Shashti: Katyayani Devi
Color: Green
Presiding Deity: Katyayani, the daughter of Sage Katyayana
Mantra: "ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः" (Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah)
Offerings: Offer white rice or a white sweet like kheer.
Day 7 - Saptami: Kalaratri Devi
Color: Grey
Presiding Deity: Kalaratri, the dark and fierce goddess
Mantra: "ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः" (Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah)
Offerings: Offer jaggery (unrefined sugar) or any sweet with jaggery (sugar in the raw is ok to use).
Day 8 - Ashtami: Mahagauri Devi
Color: Purple
Presiding Deity: Mahagauri, the goddess who bestows purity and serenity
Mantra: "ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः" (Om Devi Mahagauriyai Namah)
Offerings: Offer coconut or coconut sweets.
Day 9 - Navami: Siddhidatri Devi
Color: Peacock Green
Presiding Deity: Siddhidatri, the goddess who grants supernatural powers
Mantra: "ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः" (Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah)
Offerings: Offer purple-colored food, like sweets or fruits.
These colors, deities, mantras, and offerings are essential components of Navratri celebrations and are believed to invoke the blessings and protection of the goddess during each specific day.
It's important to approach Navratri with sincerity, devotion, and respect for the traditions. The specific customs and rituals may vary depending on regional and personal preferences, so there may be some variation here compared to other resources.
Personal Navratri celebrations are flexible and adaptable to your own practice, but it is always important to be respectful and sincere.
Blessed Be
Originally published in our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe below for up to date spells, articles, and events