Sharad Navratri 2023

According to Panchang, Sharadiya Navratri is starting from Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month i.e. 15 October, which is ending on Vijay Dashami (Dussehra) i.e. 24 October 2023.

Navratri is a nine-day long, auspicious festival celebrated all over India for different reasons every year. It is culturally dedicated to Goddess Durga, an exemplar of Shakti or cosmic energy. Among all the five Navratras (Chaitra, Aashad, Ashwin, Paush, and Magh) that fall in a year, Sharad Navratri is the most essential one. Apart from that, Magh, Ashadha & Paush are known as Gupt Navratri.

Sharad Navratri is observed in the month of September/ October. The Navratri festival is widely commemorated throughout the country with full enthusiasm. During this 9-day festival of Navratri, the 9 manifestations of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Each manifestation of Goddess Durga exemplifies a distinctive virtue and is believed to accord spiritual and worldly fulfillment.

Cultural Traditions

Sharad Navratri commences on the first and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of the lunar month, Ashwin. Sharad Navratri festival is dedicated to Maa Durga and celebrated with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm, especially in Northern and Eastern India. The tenth day is often referred to as ‘VIJAYADASHAMI’ or ‘DUSSEHRA’. Sharad Navratri is celebrated in the Ashwin month or the Sharad month which indicates the beginning of winter.

During the festival of Navratri, people from cities and villages come together to perform Navratri Puja in their houses or in shrines epitomizing different manifestations of Goddess Durga. During this nine-day festival chanting of mantras, renditions of bhajans, or holy songs accompany the Navratri Puja rituals for nine consecutive days.

Spiritual Significance of Navratri

According to mythology, there are different tales behind the inception of Navratri.

Mahishashur, the King of Demons had started a war against the Gods in heaven. To combat him, all Gods including the trinity of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu pooled their divine powers to give birth to the mother of power and 'Shakti'. Thus, Goddess Durga was created and she with her power and wisdom killed Mahishasur after nine nights of furious battle against him. The tenth day of victory is thus celebrated as Vijaya Dashami- the day of victory of good over evil.

Lord Rama was about to enter a war against Ravana to save Sita from his imprisonment in Lanka. Before starting the battle, Rama worshipped Goddess Durga seeking her blessings. For the puja, he required 108 lotuses. To complete the count, when Rama was about to remove one of his eyes, Goddess Durga emerged and blessed him with her divine 'shakti'. Rama won the battle on that day.

Uma, the daughter of Daksh—the king of the Himalayas is said to come home for ten days during Navratri. Uma married Lord Shiva and this festival celebrates her homecoming on earth.

Sharad Navratri 2023 Date and Auspicious Timings

Sharad Navratri 2023 or Maha Navratri is commonly celebrated during the Indian month of Ashvina which commences from the first day of the lunar fortnight. As per the English calendar, it usually falls in the months of September and October.

The festival is celebrated for nine nights and devotees pray, take part in the Dandiya Raas and Garba and offer prasad to please Goddess Durga.

Durga Puja is celebrated from the sixth day of Navaratri. This will continue for 4 days and then end with Vijayadashmi.

Sunrise	October 15, 2023 6:27 AM
Sunset	October 15, 2023, 5:58 PM
Abhijit Muhurat Time	October 15, 11:49 AM - October 15, 12:35 PM
Ghatasthapana Muhurta	October 15, 6:27 AM - October 15, 10:17 AM
Pratipada Tithi Timings	October 14, 11:25 PM - October 16, 12:32 AM
Dwitiya Tithi Timings	October 16, 12:32 AM - October 17, 1:13 AM
Tritiya Tithi Timings	October 17, 1:13 AM - October 18, 1:26 AM
Chaturthi Tithi Timings	October 18, 1:26 AM - October 19, 1:12 AM
Panchami Tithi Timings	October 19, 1:12 AM - October 20, 12:32 AM
Shashthi Tithi Timings	October 20, 12:32 AM - October 20, 11:25 PM
Saptami Tithi Timings	October 20, 11:25 PM - October 21, 9:53 PM
Ashtami Tithi Timings	October 21, 9:53 PM - October 22, 7:59 PM
Navami Tithi Timings	October 22, 7:59 PM - October 23, 5:45 PM
Dashami Tithi Timings	October 23, 5:45 PM - October 24, 3:14 PM

Nine Avatars of Goddess Durga

For nine nights, people observe the festival with utmost devotion and prayers. Each day is dedicated to one avatar of Durga Maa. Based on this, devotees have to wear the right colours each day.

Day 1 - Maa Shailputri Puja - The first form of Maa Durga, Maa Shailputri represents the planet, Moon. Worshipping her can help to eliminate any bad effects or omens.
Day 2 - Maa Brahmacharini Puja - As per astrology, Maa Brahmacharini controls the planet Mars and diminishes any bad effects if worshipped with a pure heart.
Day 3 - Maa Chandraghanta Puja - Maa Chandraghata dominates the planet Venus and offers courage and fearlessness.
Day 4 - Maa Kushmanda Puja - Maa Kushmanda represents the planet Sun and eliminates any ill effects in the nearby future.
Day 5 - Maa Skandamata Puja - Maa Skand Mata represents the planet Mercury and is very compassionate towards her devotee.
Day 6 - Maa Katyayani Puja - Jupiter planet is controlled by Maa Katyayani. She provides courage and prowess to her worshippers.
Day 7 - Maa Kaalratri Puja - Maa Kaalratri controls the Saturn planet and symbolises valour.
Day 8 - Maa Mahagauri Puja - Maa Mahagauri is the divine controller of planet Rahu and pacify harmful effects.
Day 9 - Maa Siddhidatri Puja - Maa Siddhidatri dominates the planet Ketu and offers wisdom and knowledge.

Day 10 - Vijayadashami (Dussehra) - After the 9 days of prayers, the tenth day is kept aside for Vijayadashmi. A day when new things can begin in life. It is also called Vidyarambham- an event where children are introduced to the world of education. Sindhoor Khela is a very important part of the rituals on Vijayadashmi.

Importance of Colours in Navratri

Apart from this, each Navratri is related to a particular color. The Navratri Color are listed below. It is believed that using these colors during the Navratri festival will fetch you good luck.

Day 1: Orange

Orange stands to be one of the most vibrant colours among the set of colours. So, if you wear orange on Day 1 of Navratri, it surely means that you will be blessed with happiness, creativity, and a lot of positive energy. It helps the person go through problems with a calm mind with no negative feelings.

Day 2: White

Since the colour white symbolises peace and harmony, it holds a lot of importance in one's life. The white colour needs to be Day 2 of Navratri. By wearing this colour, the devotee will be blessed with a feeling of security, happiness, and purity of thought in their life.

Day 3: Red

Red is a powerful colour that signifies love, passion, and a feel of bravery. On Day 3 of Navratri, if red is worn, it helps Hindu devotees to be blessed with vitality, loyalty, and beauty for the whole year.

Day 4: Royal Blue

On the Day 4 of Navratri, wear royal blue kurtas, skirts, and sarees to bring in elegance and royalty into the festive time and also into your life. Royal blue signifies an unmatched charisma, and a passion to excel in whatever you aim in life.

Day 5: Yellow

Wear Yellow shades of colour on Day 5 of Navratri to get enriched with happiness, and positivity in one’s life. Since this colour signifies warmth and joy, it will surely make the person feel calm and cheerful during the special day and also for the whole year.

Day 6: Green

The colour green means fertility, positive growth, calmness, and peace. So, this 2023, you need to wear Green coloured dresses on Day 6 of Navratri. It signifies new auspicious beginnings in a devotee’s life. Let the Goddess bring serenity into your lives.

Day 7: Grey

The colour grey means a balance of mind and emotions. Since this is an earthy colour, it signifies humbleness and a down-to-earth character and lifestyle. In 2023, you need to wear Grey colour on Day 7 of Navratri. The colour stands for change and transformation for the better.

Day 8: Purple

The purple colour signifies peace and nobility. On Day 8 of Navratri, wear a purple shade and get bestowed with prosperity and opulence. This is a fine colour that helps to please Durga Devi in the perfect way.

Day 9: Peacock Green

The colour peacock green signifies individuality and intelligence. On Day 9 of Navratri wear the peacock green colour to get blessed with qualities of peace, uniqueness, and compassion towards fellow beings. Since this is a mixed colour of green and blue, it helps the devotee to get the benefit of both colours.

Day 10: Pink

The pink colour indicates affection, harmony, and goodness. Wear Pink on Day 10 of Navratri and that will invoke the goodness of love towards humanity, charm, and also one who will be loved by all.